Frankie Valli knew he wanted to be a singer since he was a child growing up in Newark, New Jersey.
The 90-year-old celebrity has come a long way since leaving his rough, working-class neighborhood, and seeing him now brings a smile to anyone’s face…
The mid-1950s American bubblegum period, characterized by drive-ins and soda stores, became synonymous with Frankie Valli’s distinct three-octave range and unrivaled falsetto voice. Despite the passage of time, his songs continue to resonate with modern listeners, demonstrating the quality and passion of his music.
Frankie’s love of singing began at the age of seven when his mother took him to see a young Frank Sinatra perform at the Paramount Theater in Manhattan. This encounter had a lasting impact on him, putting him on track to achieve his longtime aim of being a successful singer.
At the moment, he had no idea he’d have such a strong bond with his initial role model, “Ol’ Blue Eyes” Sinatra.
“He took me under his wing as a buddy after I did this thing for his mother. For approximately ten years, we were quite close.” Every time I saw him, it was a big hug and a kiss on the cheek,” Valli said.
Frankie started singing on street corners with the men, and his route to popularity was not simple. Growing up in downtown Newark, he had a number of occupations, including truck driving, golf course caddying, and barbering (like his father), before becoming successful in the music industry.
“My parents had no money; I came from nothing. “I needed to have something to fall back on,” Frankie explains.
In the early 1960s, Frankie Valli and his band, The Four Seasons, rose to prominence, becoming one of the world’s largest bands. Hits such as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” and “Walk Like a Man” propelled The Four Seasons to stardom.
Fans instantly recognized Frankie’s distinctive falsetto voice and adored him. “Sherry” rose to the top of the charts faster than any other record since Elvis Presley’s debut.
During his tenure with The Four Seasons, Frankie recorded many albums under his own name. He experienced immense success with The Four Seasons, achieving 29 top 40 songs, and went on to have a remarkable solo career, garnering nine more top 40s.
In 1990, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Frankie, Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi, and Bob Gaudio.
Valli began acting as a natural outgrowth of his musical career in the mid-1960s. One of his most noteworthy appearances was in the film adaptation of the classic Broadway musical Jersey Boys, which chronicled The Four Seasons’ ascent to prominence.
Throughout his career as a member of The Four Seasons and later as a solo artist, Valli appeared on television shows and in films, demonstrating his abilities beyond singing. He has appeared on several television programs over the years, including Miami Vice, The Sopranos, and Hawaii Five-0, proving his flexibility as a performer.
Valli is now considered a pivotal figure in the history of rock music. The music icon has been singing and traveling for many years and remains active in the industry. Currently residing in California, the 89-year-old artist has made no indication that he intends to retire anytime soon.
“It used to be hard performing the same songs over and over, but every time I sing a song, which is what the public wants to hear, not my new material or even my solo recordings, I try to perform it as though it were the first time,” Frankie told the press in 1993.
Valli has kept his voice in superb condition even in his 80s, owing to his dedication to a healthy lifestyle. He eats a very rigorous diet and avoids alcohol, drugs, and smoking. When he gets weary, he goes to bed early and avoids staying up late unless there is a compelling reason.
“And I sing a little every day. I enjoy singing in the shower. I consider singing in the shower to be one of the most enjoyable experiences. You can accomplish two things: cleaning your body, opening your vocal capacity, and exercising your voice,” he stated in 2021.
Valli married his first wife, Mary, while he was in his early twenties, and they had a 2-year-old daughter. This was the first of his three marriages, and it occurred before Frankie’s breakthrough.
“We lived in the projects, and at the age of twenty, I got married and had children shortly after,” he explained.
Frankie and Mary had two children together, Francine and Antonia, but they separated in 1971. His second marriage to MaryAnn Hannagan lasted eight years, beginning in 1974. After that, in 1984, he married Randy Clohessy, with whom he had three boys. However, the couple divorced in 2004, resulting in an acrimonious split.
Tragedies occur in all families, and Valli is no exception. In reality, he has gone through one of the most traumatic experiences a parent can have.
In 1980, his stepdaughter Celia died after falling over a fire escape. Six months later, another tragic event befell him: the death of his youngest daughter, Francine, purportedly due to a heroin overdose. These were probably some of the most traumatic moments any parent could have, and Frankie’s ability to continue his music career in the years afterward is a monument to his tenacity.
On June 7, 2009, Frankie Valli and the Jersey Boys arrived at Radio City Music Hall in New York City for the 63rd Annual Tony Awards. (Photo by Jimi Celeste/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images.)
Fortunately, despite the horrors that have befallen him, Frankie has multiple children who continue to provide him joy while also pursuing successful jobs. As any grandmother knows, the feeling of pride that comes from watching your grandchildren grow and thrive is simply indescribable, and Frankie is no exception.
His family’s love and support have surely provided him with strength and comfort throughout his life, and it’s lovely to see how they’ve remained close despite the obstacles they’ve experienced.
“My children are all creatives and makers. Even my grandchildren! My son Brando is into EDM, and I recently watched my granddaughter Olivia play with Pretty Woman’s touring group in Los Angeles. She is in the starring role. “It was exciting!” Last year, Frankie told The Montrealer.