Frankie Valli is one of the most legendary singers of his generation, and believe it or not, the Four Seasons frontman is still touring at the age of 90.
But is Valli too old to still be performing concerts — and more importantly, is he being forced to do it against his will? Recently, many fans expressed concerns of “elder abuse” after videos of Valli struggling on stage went viral, suggesting he isn’t being allowed to retire.
However, Valli has finally responded to the controversy, insisting that he still enjoys performing his old songs.
Frankie Valli began a music sensation back in the early 1960s as the frontman of The Four Seasons, famed for his uniquely powerful falsetto voice. The group had 29 top 40 hits, including classics like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” and “Walk Like a Man.”
Valli also had success as a solo artist, with #1 hits “My Eyes Adored You” and “Grease.” After decades of success in the music industry and many classic recordings, Valli certainly has nothing left to prove — but he has continued to tour, even at the age of 90.
Viral clips spark concerns of “elder abuse”
While that sounds impressive and commendable, videos have been making the rounds lately that suggest Valli is no longer in the condition to perform.
Obviously no one expects Valli to look and sound like he did as a young man, and artists like Willie Nelson and Tony Bennett have proved you can still put on a great show even as a nonagenarian. But Valli’s recent performances have generated concern from fans that he is no longer able to perform.
Viral clips show Valli struggling to even lip-sync with pre-recorded tracks, apparently struggling to climb up steps onto a stage and standing uncomfortably on stage.
“He’s not singing even.. It’s so sad… That’s abuse elder abuse, Just to make money off of him, it’s not right,” one person commented on Instagram.
“He’s not singing. Love him, but it’s time to give it up,” another wrote.
Some fans suggested that Valli was being made to perform against his will.
“Someone connect me to the Vegas loanshark making Frankie do this,” reads one viral tweet. “I’ll buy his debt so the poor man can rest.”
“This is sad. He is a legend and shouldn’t be subject to this humiliation,” one fan agreed.
However, others came to the legendary singer’s defense, saying he was doing as well as he could given his age. “Be respectful. This is Frankie Valli and these songs are fantastic,” one fan wrote on Instagram. “Everybody should be able to do what they like until they want to.”
“He is doing this because he wants to. Nobody is forcing him,” another comment reads. “This is how he wants to go out. this is probably what keeps him alive so long!”
As the unflattering concert clips continued to make the rounds, a representative for Valli insisted the singer was okay: “Frankie is doing just fine and super happy to still be performing,” the rep told the New York Post. “The audiences are filling venues and listening to some great music. Frankie is doing what he loves to do at 90. We should all be so lucky.”
Frankie Valli breaks silence: “I absolutely love what I do”
And now, finally, Valli himself has released his own statement on the matter, insisting that he’s happy to still be doing concerts at 90.
“I know there has been a lot of stuff on the internet about me lately so I wanted to clear the air,” the singer wrote in a statement to People. “I am blessed to be 90 years old and still be doing what I love to do and as long as I am able, and audiences want to come see me, I am going to be out there performing as I always.”
“I absolutely love what I do. And I know we put on a great show because our fans are still coming out in force and the show still rocks.”
Valli added that he “got a chuckle” from comments saying that he was forced to perform: “Nobody has ever made me do anything I didn’t want to do.”
“I plan to be doing shows as long as I can, delivering that great Four Seasons sound. Like that line in Jersey Boys, I’m like that bunny on TV, that just keeps going and going and going. Chasing the music.”
Despite all the public concerns, Valli plans to continue a robust ongoing concert schedule. The “Last Encores” tour was promoted as the farewell tour for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons after 65 years, but it will continue well into next year.
Valli is the only member of the original Four Seasons who still tours. Nick Massi and Tommy DeVito died in 2000 and 2020, respectively. Bob Gaudio, 81, no longer performs but remains the co-owner of the Four Seasons brand with Valli.
The band was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Their story and music gained new attention thanks to the smash hit Broadway musical Jersey Boys and its film adaptation.
Do you think Frankie Valli is too old to be performing, or should he keep going as long as he wants? Please share this story with your thoughts.
