Frankie Valli’s recognizable three-octave range and unmatched falsetto voice became linked with the American bubble-gum era of the mid-1950s, which was marked by drive-ins and soda shops. The fact that his songs have stood the test of time speaks much about the quality and dedication of his music.
When Frankie was just seven years old, his mother took him to see a young Frank Sinatra perform at the Paramount Theater in Manhattan, which ignited his passion for singing. This encounter, which had a lasting impact, ignited his lifelong ambition to become a successful singer.
He had no idea at the moment that he would get quite close to “Ol’ Blue Eyes” Sinatra, his first role model.
“Because of what I did for his mother, he kind of adopted me as a friend. We had been pretty close for ten years or so. Every time I saw him, we would embrace tightly and kiss one other on the cheek, said Valli.
Frankie began performing on street corners with the boys, but his path to success was not straightforward. The native of downtown Newark worked a variety of jobs before becoming successful in the music industry, including truck driving, golf caddying, and barbering (like his father).
“I came from nothing, my parents were poor. I needed to have a backup plan, explains Frankie.
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons had international chart-topping success at the beginning of the 1960s. The Four Seasons became well-known thanks to hit tunes like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” and “Walk Like a Man.”
Because of his unusual falsetto voice, which was easily recognizable, fans admired Frankie.”Sherry” has reached No. 1 faster than any other song since Elvis Presley initially gained widespread recognition.
When he was a member of The Four Seasons, Frankie released a number of albums under his own name. He had a great solo career with nine more top 40 songs, and he also had a huge amount of success with The Four Seasons, scoring 29 top 40 hits.
Frankie gained prominence when he and his bandmates Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi, and Bob Gaudio were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
Valli started acting in the middle of the 1960s as a natural evolution from his work as a singer. He performed in one of his most celebrated parts in Jersey Boys, the film adaptation of the well-known Broadway musical that followed The Four Seasons’ rise to fame.
Throughout his career, Valli made several appearances on television shows and in films, both as a solo artist and as a member of The Four Seasons, showcasing his talents in addition to singing. His appearances on several TV shows over the years, such as Miami Vice, The Sopranos, and Hawaii Five-0, have shown how adaptable he is as an actor.
Today, Valli is recognized as a significant contributor to the growth of rock & roll. The renowned musician has been active in the industry for many years and still performs and tours. The California-based, 89-year-old artist hasn’t said whether he intends to retire anytime soon.
Every time I sing a song, which is what the audience wants to hear, not my new stuff or even my solo recordings, I strive to sing it as though it were the first time, Frankie remarked in 1993. “It used to be real hard performing the same songs over and over but every time I sing a song, which is what the public want to hear, I try to perform it as though it were the first time,” she said.
Due to his commitment to living a healthy lifestyle, Valli was able to keep his voice in excellent condition well into his 80s. He follows a reasonably strict diet and doesn’t use drugs, drink alcohol, or smoke. When he is exhausted, he makes sure to get a full night’s sleep and refrains from staying up late unless absolutely necessary.
And every day, I sing a little bit. In the shower, I enjoy singing. It’s one of the best spots, in my opinion. In 2021, he remarked, “You can do two things: detoxifying your body and opening your vocal potential and practicing your voice.
In his early twenties, Valli married Mary, who would become his first wife. Mary already had a daughter who was two years old. His first of three marriages, which took place before Frankie’s big break, was this one.
“We were residing in the projects, and by the time I turned twenty, I had already been married and started a family. Up until I was successful, I lived in the projects, he claimed.
After raising Francisca and Antonia together, Frankie and Mary divorced in 1971. His second marriage, to MaryAnn Hannagan in 1974, lasted eight years. He then married Randy Clohessy in 1984, and the two of them produced three children. However, the couple split up in 2004 and went through a bitter divorce.
Families do, unfortunately, experience disasters, and Valli is no different. In reality, he has experienced one of the worst things a parent could endure.
In 1980, his stepdaughter Celia fell down a fire escape and was fatally injured. Six months later, his youngest daughter Francine died, apparently from a drug overdose, causing him to experience yet another tragic loss.
Frankie’s perseverance in pursuing his music profession over the years is a testament to his fortitude. These occurrences were most likely among the difficult ones that a parent could experience.
Despite the horrors that have befallen him, Frankie has numerous children who, happily, still light his life and have wonderful lives on their own. It is simply impossible to describe the level of satisfaction each grandma feels when seeing their grandkids flourish. Frankie is no different.
It is incredible to see how his family has maintained its closeness despite the challenges they have faced because he has clearly relied on their love and support throughout his life.
“All of my children are artists and creators. even my grand children! I just saw my granddaughter Olivia play in the traveling cast of Pretty Woman in Los Angeles, while my son Brando performs EDM. She’s taking the starring role. It was exciting!” exclaimed Frankie.
