Frankie Valli at 89: The Iconic Singer continues to captivate audiences with timeless style and age-defying looks

Frankie Valli has known that singing is his vocation since he was a little child growing up in Newark, New Jersey.

Seeing the 89-year-old celebrity today is enough to put a smile on anyone’s face because he has come a long way since leaving his rough, working-class neighborhood.

The American bubble-gum era of the mid-1950s, characterized by drive-ins and soda stores, became synonymous with Frankie Valli’s distinctive three-octave range and unrivaled falsetto voice. His songs have endured the test of time, which speaks volumes about the caliber and commitment of his music.

Frankie’s love of singing was sparked at the tender age of seven when his mother took him to see a young Frank Sinatra perform at the Paramount Theater in Manhattan. His lifelong desire of becoming a successful singer was launched by this incident, which left a lasting influence.

He had no idea at the moment that he would get quite close to “Ol’ Blue Eyes” Sinatra, his first role model.

”He kind of took me under his wing as a friend because I did this thing for his mother. For about 10 years we were really close. Every time I saw him it was a big hug and a kiss on the cheek,” Valli said.

Frankie started singing with the boys on street corners, but his road to fame was not smooth. Before finding success in the music business, the downtown Newark native worked a variety of occupations, including truck driving, golf caddying, and barbering (like his father).

”My parents didn’t have money, I came from nothing. I had to have something to fall back on,” Frankie says.

Early in the 1960s, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons rose to stardom and topped the charts all over the world. Top-charting singles like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” and “Walk Like a Man” made The Beatles’ members become celebrities.

Fans admired Frankie because of his distinctive falsetto voice, which was instantly recognizable. Since Elvis Presley first entered the public consciousness, “Sherry” has climbed to No. 1 more quickly than any other song.

Frankie released a number of albums under his own name when he was a member of The Four Seasons. In addition to his excellent solo career, which saw him gain nine more top 40 successes, he had immense success with The Four Seasons, recording 29 top 40 hits.

Frankie received recognition by being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 together with bandmates Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi, and Bob Gaudio.

In the middle of the 1960s, Valli began acting as a logical progression from his career as a musician. In the movie version of the popular Broadway musical Jersey Boys, which chronicled The Four Seasons’ ascent to popularity, he played one of his most illustrious performing roles.

Valli had multiple appearances on television programs and in movies throughout his career as a member of The Four Seasons and also as a solo performer, displaying his abilities in areas other than singing. His flexibility as a performer has been demonstrated by his performances on numerous TV shows throughout the years, including Miami Vice, The Sopranos, and Hawaii Five-0.

Valli is now regarded as a key figure in the development of rock and roll. The legendary musician has been engaged in the business for many years and continues to play and tour. The 89-year-old artist, who resides in California, hasn’t indicated that he has any immediate plans to retire.

”It used to be real hard performing the same songs over and over but every time I sing a a song, which is what the public want to hear, not my new material or even my solo recordings, I try to perform it as though it were the first time,” Frankie said in 1993.

Valli’s dedication to leading a healthy lifestyle has allowed him to maintain his voice in top condition far into his 80s. He maintains a fairly rigorous diet and abstains from drugs, alcohol, and smoking. When he is tired, he takes sure to get a full night’s sleep and avoids staying up late unless there is a valid reason to do so.

“And I sing a little bit every day. I love singing in the shower. I think it’s one of the best places. You can accomplish two things: cleaning your body and opening your vocal capacity and exercising your voice,” he said in 2021.

Valli wed Mary, his first wife, when he was in his early twenties. Mary already had a two-year-old daughter. This was his first of three marriages, and it occurred before Frankie’s big break.

”We were living in the projects and by the time I was twenty years old I was married and we had kids right away. I lived in the projects right up until I had success,” he said.

Frankie and Mary separated in 1971 after raising their two kids, Francisca and Antonia, together. His second union, which lasted eight years, was to MaryAnn Hannagan in 1974. After thereafter, in 1984, he wed Randy Clohessy, with whom he had three kids. However, the couple divorced in a contentious manner and split up in 2004.

Unfortunately, tragedies do happen in families, and Valli is no exception. He has actually gone through one of the worst things a parent could go through.

His stepdaughter Celia was killed in an accident in 1980 after she fell down a fire escape. Only six months later, he suffered another terrible loss when his youngest daughter Francine died, allegedly from a drug overdose. The fact that Frankie has persisted to pursue his music career throughout the years is a credit to his resiliency. These incidents were probably some of the most trying situations a parent could go through.

Frankie has multiple children who, thankfully, continue to brighten his life and have great lives of their own despite the horrors that have befallen him. Any grandparent can attest to how truly indescribable it is to feel proud of your grandchildren as they grow and succeed.

He has clearly relied on the love and support of his family throughout his life, and it is amazing to watch how they have managed to stay close despite the difficulties they have encountered.

”My kids are all creative and creators. Even my grandkids! My son Brando is doing EDM and I just saw my granddaughter Olivia perform in the touring company of Pretty Woman in Los Angeles. She is playing the lead. It was thrilling!,” Frankie mentioned.

Frankie Valli turns 89 years old on May 3, and it’s unbelievable that he’s still with us. He still holds audiences’ attention everywhere!

As we commemorate his birthday, it’s the ideal time to share a Facebook post about him and let people know about his outstanding contributions to music.

By doing this, we can ensure that his legacy endures for a very long time and continues to motivate future generations of music enthusiasts.

Cheers to Frankie Valli’s birthday!