Pop icon Frankie Valli

Musical genres come and go, but Frankie Valli who made walking like a man famous is as dynamic today as he was when he scored his first hit with The Four Seasons in 1962.

“You want a contract? OK, here’s the contract … a Jersey contract.” That’s part of an exchange in the global theatrical phenomenon “Jersey Boys,” as Frankie Valli extends his hand to bandmate Bob Gaudio when the legendary supergroup, The Four Seasons, was born. The handshake deal has stood the test of time for more than six decades. It is a barely legal arrangement unheard of in the lawsuit-laden industry of show business.

But if you look at it from an Italian-American perspective, the deal is based upon trust, loyalty and respect, qualities engrained in Italian Americans from birth. It’s the “Neighborhood Way,” whether that neighborhood be in New York City, Newark or Chicago.

Frankie was born Francesco Castelluccio on May 3, 1934, in the Belleville township of Newark. His parents were both from the Campania region — his father, Antonio, from Faiano and his mother, Mary (Rinaldi), from Avellino.

Because his folks lived in the epicenter of 1950s doo-wop in Newark and Plainfield, New Jersey, he and his two brothers were always surrounded by music, whether it was on the radio or live under a streetlamp on a corner.

When Frankie was 7 years old, his mom took him to the Paramount Theatre in New York City to take in the teen heartthrob of the day, another famous “Jersey Boy” from Hoboken: Frank Sinatra. “Even though I was only 7, that was the day, believe it or not, I knew what I wanted to do,” Frankie says.

He attended Central High School and often sang with his buddies on street corners while learning to play the bass in the early 1950s. In 1954, he decided to join the Variety Trio, which had Tommy DeVito and his brother Nick DeVito as members, along with their friend Henry Majewski. The singers changed the name of their group to The Variatones just after Frankie joined.

When Hank and Nick refused an opportunity to open for a young Tony Bennett, they were asked to leave the group, and a mentor of Frankie’s was asked to join: Nick Macioci, soon to take on the stage name Nick Massi. Frankie was also mentored by a “hillbilly” singer named “Texas” Jean Valley, from whom he adopted the stage name Valli. The story goes that Valley took him to meet music publishers, telling them he was her brother. As a result, his first single was attributed to “Frankie Valley.” “I changed the spelling to ‘Valli’ because it sounded more Italian,” Frankie says. “Everybody in our neighborhood was pretty much Italian American so I thought to refer more to my Italian roots would be a good career move.”

Frankie recorded his first single, “My Mother’s Eyes,” in 1953, and soon after the group changed its name to The Four Lovers. They had a minor hit with “You’re the Apple of My Eye” in 1956, which earned them their first appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

In 1958, another New Jersey group, The Royal Teens, recorded a hit single, “Short Shorts.” The song was written by a New York City-born Italian-American keyboardist, Bob Gaudio. But by 1959, both The Four Lovers and The Royal Teens were in parallel tailspins.

Mutual friend Joe Pesci (yes, the actor) introduced the two and it was instant chemistry. By 1960, after several years of session work under numerous group names, Frankie, DeVito, Gaudio and Massi went with The Four Seasons, taking the moniker from a bowling alley in Union, New Jersey, that had rejected them after an audition some years back.

With Frankie’s signature falsetto and Gaudio’s music and lyrics, the group skyrocketed after its first No. 1 hit, “Sherry,” in 1962. “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Dawn,” “Stay,” “Rag Doll,” “Bye, Bye, Baby,” “Let’s Hang On,” “Working My Way Back to You,” “Beggin’,” “Who Loves You” and “December, 1963” followed through 1975.

The Beatles-led British Invasion changed the musical landscape of mid-1960s America, but The Four Seasons stayed the course. “We wound up putting out hits and kept it all going,” Frankie says.

Frankie decided to start a solo career in 1965 while still with the band. His first single as a solo artist was “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” which reached No. 2 on the charts in 1967 and earned him a Grammy nomination. He reached No. 1 with “My Eyes Adored You” in 1975. Frankie recorded the theme song for the 1975 blockbuster film “Grease,” written by Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees. The song also ended up becoming a No. 1 hit for Frankie.

In 2005, the musical “Jersey Boys” opened on Broadway. The show has been financially successful and widely acclaimed, earning eight Tony Award nominations and winning four. It has touring companies around the world and was adapted into a 2014 film directed by Clint Eastwood. The Chicago run of the stage musical played to sold-out houses for three years.

Frankie and several of his songs have a strong social media presence, garnering new fans every day, and he has been touring non-stop for decades, promoting his unique sound.

“I got on this rollercoaster 46 years ago, and the ride has never ended,” Robby Robinson, Frankie’s musical director since 1978, said while the tour was in town last year. “Frankie is a pro from start to finish and is a part of every aspect of the show.”

I asked Frankie how much his Italian heritage affected his career. “Well, listening to Sinatra really sparked something in me. But many of us got our musical inspiration from the Black singers at the time,” he explains. “Our first major record deal was with Vee-Jay Records, which was mainly for Black artists. But I never forgot where I came from, who I was surrounded by, and the lessons I learned from my parents and from growing up in an Italian neighborhood. And what’s better than Italian food?”

In 2023, Frankie announced that, after 64 years on the road, 2024 will be his last year for touring.

“I’m 90 years old but I still feel good,” Frankie says. “Touring is tough these days and the flights are killers. But I still love the music and love to perform. When I do, all my troubles and aches and pains go away. But you never know, you may still see me around.”

To recognize individuals who have brought great pride to the Italian-American community, the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans has established the Columbus Lifetime Achievement Medal. Frankie Valli has graciously agreed to be first recipient of the honor.

“Chicago has always been good to me and The Four Seasons. Coming back to Chicago year after year has been like seeing old friends and family, even when there are new, younger fans,” Frankie says. “This is an honor I really appreciate. I am an Italian American, and proud to be that.”

The above appears in the October 2024 issue of the print version of Fra Noi. Our gorgeous, monthly magazine contains a veritable feast of news and views, profiles and features, entertainment and culture. To subscribe, click here.

 

About Ron Onesti

Ron Onesti is the president of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans and the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, chairman of Casa Italia and a board member of the Italian American Veterans Museum. He is the founder and president of Onesti Entertainment Corp., which runs five entertainment and dining venues across the Chicago area and produces concerts, special events and festivals nationwide. Among the latter are Festa Pasta Vino on South Oakley Avenue, Festa Italiana on Taylor Street and Little Italy Fest-West in Addison. He was inducted as a cavaliere into the Ordine della Stella d’Italia by the president of Italy

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12 comments

  1. Over the years, I’ve seen Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons too many times to count, starting in 1963 and most recently 2 years ago. Always a great show. I hope to see him one more time. Hopefully, Cincinnati is on his concert list.

  2. I have loved Frankie my entire life, saw Jersey Boys twice and saw Frankie in concert one great time and loved it❣️❣️❣️He certainly deserves to retire and take it easy after giving so much of himself to his fans🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻Thank you Frankie for all the years of your great one of a kind music🙏🏻🙏🏻I love you❤️❤️❤️

    • Frankie Valli is my all time favorite! I love his voice, style, musical arrangements and back up singers! Everything about his music is perfect! I have his cds in my car and believe it or not, it’s the only music I have been listening to for over a year.

  3. I am so happy when I hear Frankie Valli’s songs …. Even some sad songs like FALLEN ANGEL, make me feel alive. What an incredible performer. I love every one of his songs. I’ve seen the JERSEY BOYS performance in NY and in UT. It’s absolutely amazing! Thank you thank you thank you! May GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY Mr Valli. 😉

  4. Dear Sir
    Last year my Godson got me tickets to see Frankie in concert at the Met in Philly. Now I think I’ve only been to 4 concerts in my 76 years so I wasn’t entirely comfortable because I never heard of the Met. I also had trouble getting someone to go with me. Finally my youngest daughter agreed to take me. It was a blast! I thought I was going to see some over the hill no longer popular teen idol from back in the day. It propelled me back to the richest time in my life, Frankie’s music made me feel 16 again and I couldn’t believe the energy this man had to put on such a high energy show at 89.! And all the young girls in the audience dancing to “my” music in the aisles. I’ll never forget it. Such a wonderful birthday present. Thank you Frankie. It is one I will never forget.

  5. Back in the 70’s and 80’s my wife & I, including our best friends, Bob & Jean, greatly enjoyed 8 concerts; B & J have seen Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons in concert atleast 35 times, mostly in and around the Chicago area. One time, we arrived at the Blackstone Theater 3 hours early, we were the first in line! Moments later, this huge motor home pulls up and guess who exited, Frankie Valli. The 5 of us took pictures and listened to a couple of his great stories, what a memorable time with one of the greats! Thanks Frankie! What an amazing heart and spirit you guys have in sharing your talent in producing some of the greatest rock & roll songs of all-time, incredible songs that even resonate through our grandchildren! God Bless!

  6. I have been a fan of The Four Seasons since I was a kid. Frankie, Bob Gaudio and the late Bob Crewe are American Treasures. When Valli was with Phillips, his first singles were Your Gonna Hurt Yourself, Your Ready Now, and The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore which became a hit for The Walker Brothers which was also produced by Bob Crewe.

    • Audrey Blankenship

      I too am a Jersey girl, born in Bellville,NJ 1935. So many famous Italian boys came from that area. I dont know what was un the water, in my opinion Frankie Vali had the best voice and music. Raising 5 boys in Connecticut, with 4 seasons music I sang along with Frankie caring for my home. Thanks for the memories and great music Frankie!

  7. My 1967 Fremont, MI graduation gift from my sister was front row center isle seats. Fabulous concert.

  8. I just saw this AMAZING MAN a few weeks ago in Rosemont. Have seen him many times over the past few years. He’s been my sweet “SHERRY” MAN since back in the day when I first heard that MAGNIFICENT voice. Have seen Jersey Boys 3 times. God has blessed him with his special talent. 🎤🎹🎵🎶♥️. He’s still got it!!!!

  9. In 1962, when I first heard “Sherry,” I knew that “voice” would be around a long time. I believe I bought every Four Season “45” and vinyl album. I memorized most all lyrics and became the “voice” of Frankie Valli to my friends. The Four Seasons came to Campbell in 1966 and, having arrived 2 hours early, I had the best seat! My roommate and I went to sleep listening, each night, to his albums. I can’t hit those high notes anymore, but I still have the vinyls and ITunes on my phone. Frankie will ALWAYS be my favorite.

  10. After falling in love with the older pop music, Our 17 year old daughter “discovered “ Frankie Vallie! She has begged to come and see him in concert. That’s all she wants for Christmas this year so we’re going to make it happen!

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