Frankie Valli on what keeps Four Seasons going strong

On Monday night, Jan. 20, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila, Frankie Valli and the fabled Four Seasons will bring music-lovers on a nostalgic trip back to yesteryear with their enduring, well-loved songs like Sherry, December 1963, Oh What a Night, Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You, Working My Way Back To You, My Eyes Adored You, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Grease, Let’s Hang On and many more, songs that those 50 and above have grown up with, that served as the soundtrack when they fell in and out of love, or when they lost their innocence.

Turning 80 on May 3, Frankie continues to cast a spell with his powerful falsetto voice as the frontman of the Four Seasons, sounding the same way they did back in 1960 when they broke onto the music scene. In 2008, Frankie and company were the subject of a hit musical on Broadway, titled Jersey Boys.

Funfare did an exclusive e-mail interview with Valli, arranged by Renen de Guia of Ovation Productions which is producing the group’s Resorts World concert. (For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999, Ticketnet at 911-5555 or Resorts World at 908-8000 local 7700.)

I saw Jersey Boys. I was familiar with the songs and I was pleasantly surprised that they are your songs. It’s not unusual for people to feel that way with some songs and singers, right?    

“I have to believe that most people know that Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You is my song. But the reaction we get from the audience at Jersey Boys is that they didn’t remember how many hits we had. A lot of ‘Oh yeah, I forgot they did that song.’ We had 20 Top 10 hits in the US…people forget.”

How did you feel when you watched the musical? How accurately were you and your group portrayed in it?   

“In the beginning it was really strange. You’re thinking, ‘Do I talk like that? Do I walk like that?’ But then I realized that each of the guys playing me is doing their own version of Frankie Valli. It’s not so much an impersonation as their take on playing a character based on me.”

I cried in one scene (I won’t mention what so as not to spoil the suspense for those who haven’t seen it yet) and so did the friend who was with me. Which scene(s) did you find touching and what memories did they bring back to you?   

“I also don’t want to spoil the show for anybody who hasn’t seen it but for those who have, the most emotional scene for me is obvious. It is something no parent ever really gets past. I’ve seen the show dozens of times and it is always hard to watch that part.”

Do you think the musical got the new generation of music-lovers curious about you and your group?  

“Jersey Boys has been the most amazing experience ever and has exposed an entire new audience to the music. It’s great to see people of all ages coming to the show.”

What are some of your fond memories with the Four Seasons?

“Oh, there are so many moments. In 1962 when the band came up: Appearing on Ed Sullivan, Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, opening concert at the Vietnam Memorial, the musical Jersey Boys — so many great moments. I’ve lived a blessed life.”

Please give us a brief background on the three songs (among your most popular): Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You, I’ve Got You Under My Skin and My Eyes Adored You.  

“Every song has its own story so I’ll tell you one. The band was doing a show in Miami Beach, Florida and Frank Sinatra was playing at the hotel next door. He invited us to come and see his show. Well, as a kid from Jersey, Sinatra inviting you to see his show is a thrill. So, we saw the show which was great of course. And in the show he sang I’ve Got You Under My Skin. At 4 a.m., my partner Bob Gaudio called me up and told me that he wanted to do our own version of the song. I told him he was crazy, ‘That’s Sinatra’s song.’ But we ended up recording it and it was a hit for us.” 

Personally, what’s your favorite among the Four Seasons songs, and why?  

“That’s like asking me who is my favorite child. I love all the songs and some nights, one gets a bigger response than the others, but I love them all.”

The title of one of your albums is Romancing The ‘60s, described as the “sizzling sixties.” What do you think makes that decade more memorable and more exciting than the succeeding decades?  

“The ’60s was a magical time in the music business. So much creativity and talent. I think a lot of it came from the fact that we had grown up before rock ’n roll. We listened to all the great songwriters and big bands, songs with great lyrics and melodies. I think that really influenced everybody.”

What do you think keeps the Four Seasons going strong through the decades, despite the influx of new groups? 

“The musical moment I am looking at is the next moment I am on stage. I am always looking forward — always looking to make it better! I am at every sound check every day making sure everything is better than before.”

What can we look forward to in your Jan. 20 concert in Manila (aside from the old songs that your Filipino fans are looking forward to listening again)?

“We’ll be playing lots of hits, along with some songs off of Romancing The ‘60s.”

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