From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Frankie Valli
Frankie Valli
Frankie Valli Early life
Valli was born Francis Stephen Castelluccio in the First
Ward of Newark, New Jersey. His father, Anthony Castel-
luccio, was a barber; His mother, Mary Rinaldi, was a
homemaker.[3][4] He was inspired to take up a singing ca-
reer at the age of seven after his mother took him to see
Frank Sinatra at the Paramount Theater in New York Ci-
ty.[5] His early mentor was Texas singer Jean Valley, from
whom he obtained his last name, although it took him
some time to settle on the spelling "Valli".[4] Until he
could support himself with music, he worked as a bar-
Frankie Valli in 2010, with Linda November and Artie
Schroeck ber.[5]
As with many other celebrities, Valli’s birth year has
Background information been called into question. Valli never addressed the issue
Birth name Francis Stephen Castelluccio himself, until the 2007 posting at the Official Frankie Val-
li Site, sponsored by his current record label, Universal
Born May 3, 1934 (1934-05-03)
Records. Much of the previous official publicity sur-
Origin Newark, New Jersey, U.S. rounding his career had used 1937 as the birth year. It is
hard to tell when and why this occurred, but inference
Genres Rock, Pop
can be made that by chopping a few years off his age, he
Occupations Vocalist would seem more commercially viable to a younger audi-
ence. Other sources, such as the Bear Family Records re-
Years active 1953–present
lease, entitled ’The Four Lovers’ (BCD 15424), as well as a
Associated The Four Seasons 1965 "mug shot", available through The Smoking Gun, all
acts also known as identify his year of birth as 1934.
The 4 Seasons
The 4 Seasons featuring the "sound" of
Frankie Valli
The Wonder Who?
Music career
See also: The Four Seasons - History
Frankie Valli (born May 3, 1934) is an American musician,
most famous as frontman of The Four Seasons. He is well- 1950s – 1960s
known for his unusually powerful falsetto singing voice. Valli began his professional singing career in 1951 with
Valli, Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi, and Bob Gaudio (the the Variety Trio (Nickie DeVito, Tommy DeVito and Nick
original members of The Four Seasons), were inducted Macioci). Valli’s desire to sing in public was initially
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990[1] and the Vo- granted when, having heard Valli sing, the group offered
cal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.[2] him a guest spot when the group performed. In late 1952,
Valli scored 29 Top 40 hits with The 4 Seasons, one the Variety Trio disbanded and Valli, along with Tommy
Top 40 hit under The Four Seasons’ alias ’The Wonder DeVito, became part of the house band at The Strand in
Who?’, and nine Top 40 hits as a solo artist. As a member New Brunswick, New Jersey. For his part, Valli played
of The 4 Seasons, Valli’s number one hits included "Sher- bass and sang. He cut his first single, "My Mother’s Eyes,"
ry", "Big Girls Don’t Cry", "Walk Like a Man", "Rag Doll" in 1953 as "Frankie Valley," a name he adopted from
and "December 1963 (Oh, What A Night)". As a solo artist, "Texas" Jean Valley, a favorite female singer. Around this
Valli scored number one hits with the songs "My Eyes time, Valli and Tommy DeVito left the house band at The
Adored You" and "Grease". Valli’s recording of the song Strand and formed The Variatones with Hank Majews-
"Can’t Take My Eyes Off You" reached number two in ki, Frank Cattone and Billy Thompson. In 1956, as part of
1967. "You’re Ready Now", a Valli solo recording from an audition backing a female singer, the group impressed
1966, became a surprise hit in Great Britain as part of the New York record man Peter Paul, who had them audi-
Northern soul scene and hit number eleven on the British tioning at RCA Victor a week later. Renamed The Four
pop charts in December 1970. Lovers, the group recorded several singles and one al-
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Frankie Valli
bum’s worth of tracks. They had a minor hit with "You’re 1970s to the present
the Apple of My Eye" in 1956. Nickie DeVito and Hank
"You’re Ready Now", a Valli solo recording from 1966, be-
Majewski left in 1958 to be replaced by Nick Macioci (now
came a surprise hit in Great Britain as part of the North-
Nick Massi) and Hugh Garrity. Massi was in and out of the
ern soul scene and hit number eleven on the British pop
group, and, occasionally Charles Calello joined on accor-
charts in December 1970.
dion. The group continued to perform until 1959, when
In 1975, Valli’s single "My Eyes Adored You" hit num-
Bob Gaudio became a member. After a few more changes,
ber 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100. In the same year, he also had
the group was renamed "The 4 Seasons" in 1960.[6][7][8][9]
a number 6 Billboard hit with the disco-laden "Swearin’
As the lead singer of The Four Seasons, he had a string
To God", while a further UK Chart success came with
of hits beginning with the number one hit "Sherry" in
"Fallen Angel" written by Guy Fletcher & Doug Flett and
1962. As a footnote to this period of Frankie’s career with
produced by Bob Gaudio; Valli was in the UK charts with
The 4 Seasons, the group’s bassist and vocal arranger
this at the same time as The Four Seasons enjoyed a UK
Nick Massi was replaced in 1965 by Charlie Calello, the
hit with "Silver Star" on which Valli did not appear.
group’s instrumental arranger, and, then shortly there-
In 1976, Valli covered the Beatles song "A Day in the
after, Charlie was replaced by Joseph LaBracio, who went
Life" for the ephemeral musical documentary All This and
by the pseudonym Joe Long.
World War II.
During the 1960s, Gaudio and his then songwriting
In 1978, Valli sang the theme song for the film version
partner, producer Bob Crewe (born Stanley Robert Crewe
of the stage play, Grease, a song written by Barry Gibb
on November 12, 1931), worked with Valli to craft solo
of the Bee Gees, which became a number 1 hit. He had
recordings with varying degrees of success. This concept
two further chart successes the following year, "Save Me,
of a major recording artist performing solo in opposition
Save Me" in November 1978, which entered the Billboard
to his or her own group performances was new to the
Easy Listening chart, and "Fancy Dancer" in January 1979,
rock/pop world and may have given tacit approval to
which entered the pop charts.[4]
other groups and members of other groups to pursue
Valli suffered from otosclerosis in the 1970s, forcing
such a path. The potential to dominate the charts with
him to "sing from memory" in the latter part of the
group and solo recordings was great, and, Valli, Gaudio
decade. Surgery restored most of his hearing by 1980.[10]
and Crewe occasionally rose to the occasion with both
In 1992, a new Four Seasons album was released enti-
great performances and commercial hits. Valli was the
tled Hope and Glory.
original artist to record the Gaudio-Crewe composition
In 2005, the Broadway musical Jersey Boys opened on
"The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine (Anymore)", a performance
the "Great White Way". Besides performances of many
that was copied nearly note for note when recorded by
of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons hit recordings, the
The Walker Brothers, an American group based in Eng-
musical features a biographical narrative, told as four
land. The Walker Brothers version was a huge success.
separate points of view by each of the members of The
Valli continued to record solo performances and finally
Four Seasons (Tommy DeVito, Frankie Valli, Nick Massi,
reached major success with the release of "Can’t Take My
and Bob Gaudio). The musical dramatizes several real-
Eyes Off You". Though it only reached number two in the
life incidents from Valli’s life, including his estrangement
charts, the song itself was widely recorded by many oth-
from his daughter Francine. The show was widely ac-
er artists.
claimed, financially successful, and won six Tony awards.
Valli’s debut solo album was a gathering together of
The musical has touring companies around the world, as
various single releases and a few new recordings. Prior to
well as a version at The Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas.
the release of Valli’s second solo album, a single was re-
In October 2007, Valli released Romancing the 60s, an
leased in July 1967 with the A-side "I Make A Fool Of My-
album containing covers of his favorite songs from the
self," a record that reached number 18. ’Timeless,’ Valli’s
1960s, two of which he had previously recorded. Those
second solo album release was more coherent and Val-
songs were "Sunny" and "Any Day Now".[5]
li took more time in recording it. ’Timeless’ contains one
In October 2010, a duet version of "The Biggest Part
Top 40 hit, "To Give (The Reason I Live)."
of Me" by Frankie Valli and Juice Newton was released on
Finally, Valli ended the ’60s with a string of recordin-
Newton’s album Duets: Friends & Memories.
gs that were included in the Valli/4 Seasons album ’Half
& Half’ or released as various singles. The only hit to
emerge at this time was the recording of "The Girl I’ll Philanthropic activities
Never Know (Angels Never Fly This Low)," reaching num-
Valli has been a supporter of heritage-related causes,
ber 52.
particularly the National Italian American Foundation
(NIAF). In 2006, he received the NIAF Lifetime Achieve-
ment Award at the Foundation’s Anniversary Gala. In
2008, NIAF presented a scholarship in his name to an Ital-
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Frankie Valli
Date of re- Title Billboard Label Catalog Number
lease 11]
peak[11]
June 1967 The 4 Seasons Present frankie valli solo 34 Philips 200-247 (Mono) /
600-247 (Stereo)
July 1968 Timeless 176 600-274
February Closeup 51 Private Stock PS 2000
1975
September Inside You - Motown M6-852S1
1975 (five new tracks plus four previously released tracks,
remixed; "The Night", with The Four Seasons)
November Our Day Will Come 107 Private Stock PS 2006
1975
September Valli - PS 2017
1976
November Lady Put the Light Out - PS 7002
1977
August Frankie Valli... Is the Word 160 Warner Bros/Curb BS 3233
1978
November Heaven Above Me - MCA/Curb 5134
1980
October Romancing The ’60s 167 cherry entertain- B0009908-02
2007 ment/universalmo-
town
ian American music student during the Foundation’s East • xx/1988: Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons 25th
Coast Gala. Anniversary Collection - Rhino Records Inc RNRD
72998-2 (twelve tracks by Frankie Valli; forty-two
Discography tracks by either The Four Seasons or The Wonder
Who?)
Singles: • xx/1990: Frankie Valli & The 4 Seasons volume 2 rarities -
Main article: List of U.S. singles by Frankie Valli and The Rhino Records Inc R2 70924 (two tracks by Frankie
Four Seasons Valli; sixteen tracks by The Four Seasons)
• xx/1994: FRANKIE VALLI SOLO TIMELESS 2LPs ON 1 CD +
Studio Albums BONUS TRACKS - ACE Records Ltd CDCHD 538
Many of Valli’s solo recordings, recorded before 1975, • xx/1996: THE 4 SEASONS FRANKIE VALLI HALF & HALF
were recorded with the participation of one or more of PLUS 6 BONUS TRACKS - ACE Records Ltd CDCHD 635
The 4 Seasons. (eight tracks by Frankie Valli; eight tracks by The
Four Seasons)
Compilations and Misc. Four Seasons Al- • 07/1996: FRANKIE VALLI GREATEST HITS - Curb
Records D2-77714
bums with Frankie Valli "Solo" Songs
• 05/2001: IN SEASON THE FRANKIE VALLI & THE 4
• 04/1970: Half & Half - Philips PHS 600-341 (five tracks SEASONS ANTHOLOGY - Rhino/Warner Special
by Frankie Valli; five tracks by The 4 Seasons) Products R2 74266 OPCD-5508 (fourteen tracks by
• 05/1972: Chameleon - MoWest MW108L (two tracks by Frankie Valli; thirty-seven tracks by either The Four
Frankie Valli; seven tracks by The Four Seasons) Seasons or The Wonder Who?)
• 12/1975: Valli Gold - Private Stock PS 2001 • 06/2007: ...Jersey Beat... The Music Of FRANKIE VALLI &
• 04/1978: Frankie Valli Hits - Private Stock PS 7012 THE 4 SEASONS - Rhino R2 74852 3 CDs + 1 DVD
• 12/1979: Very Best Of Frankie Valli - MCA 3198 (thirteen tracks by Frankie Valli; sixty-three tracks
• 08/1980: Superstar Series Volume 4 - Motown by either The Four Seasons or The Wonder Who?)
M5-104V1 (five tracks by Frankie Valli; four tracks by (DVD contains two solo performances by Frankie
The Four Seasons)
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Frankie Valli
Valli and ten group performances by The Four [6] Walter Gollender, "The Four Lovers," Bim Bam
Seasons) Boom No. 8, December 1972
• 04/2008: The Four Seasons Present Frankie Valli Solo - [7] Ed Engel, "Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons," Time
Timeless - collector’s choice Music CCM-927 Barrier No. 23, August 1977
• 04/2008: Closeup - Valli - collector’s choice Music [8] Rex Woodard, "Four Lovers," Goldmine No. 73, June
CCM-928 (this CD contains a longer version of 1982
"Swearin’ To God" than the original album release of [9] Peter Grendysa, The Four Lovers, liner notes, "The
02/1975. This version clocks in at 10:35. Also, the Four Lovers", Bear Family Records BCD-15424, 1989
tracks "Can’t Get You Off My Mind" and "Easily" [10] Fred Bronson, The Billboard Book of Number One Hits
have been edited down from their original album (3rd edition), Billboard Books 1992. ISBN
lengths.) 0-8230-8298-0
• 04/2008: Our Day Will Come - Lady Put the Light Out - [11] http://www.allmusic.com/artist/frankie-valli-
collector’s choice Music CCM-929 p5738/charts-awards
• 04/2008: Frankie Valli Is the Word - Heaven Above Me -
•
collector’s choice Music CCM-930
05/2008: Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons: The Motown
External links
Years - Hip-O Select.com Motown A Universal Music • Official website
Company B0010777-02 2 CDs (fourteen tracks by • Biography at Starpulse.com
Frankie Valli; thirteen tracks by The Four Seasons) • Frankie Valli interviewed on the Pop Chronicles
(1969).[1]
References Persondata
Name Valli, Frankie
[1] Rock and Roll Hall of Fame entry for "The Four
Seasons" Alternative names
[2] Vocal Group Hall of Fame entry for "The Four Short description
Seasons" Date of birth 1934-05-03
[3] "Frankie Valli’s town Newark honors pop singer as
Place of birth
favorite son". The Record. 29 October 1987.
[4] ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Frankie Valli biography". Date of death
Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p5738/ Place of death
biography. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
[5] ^ "Biography". Official Frankie Valli Site.
http://www.frankievallifourseasons.com/bio.html.
Retrieved 26 January 2010.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Frankie_Valli&oldid=459717970"
Categories:
• 1934 births
• American male singers
• American musicians of Italian descent
• American rock singers
• American pop singers
• The Four Seasons members
• Jersey Shore musicians
• Living people
• Musicians from New Jersey
• People from Newark, New Jersey
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