Frankie Valli is speaking out in defense of his health, after videos of the 90-year-old singer appearing frail and disoriented on stage went viral on social media platforms such as TikTok.
The videos sparked concern among fans that the Four Seasons frontman was being forced to perform against his will, with some accusing his team of elder abuse.
In statement shared with People, Valli said he “wanted to clear the air” as “I know there has been a lot of stuff on the internet about me lately.
“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,” he continued. “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.
“How do we do the show?! The Four Seasons sound was always about layering vocals and instruments,” he added. “We use our 60 years of experience so we sound like the records. I sing, I have singers who sing, great arrangements … everything. I get a chuckle from the comments wondering if someone forcing me to go on stage. Nobody has ever made me do anything I didn’t want to do.”
The singer, who is currently on tour with the Four Seasons, concluded: “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.”
The online chatter began after videos posted online showed Valli seeming to forget a few lyrics while performing Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby, Goodbye) and appearing behind on choreography during December, 1963 (Oh What a Night). Valli, who turned 90 in May, is scheduled to tour through April 2025.
The TikTok controversy comes four months after the singer’s restraining order against his son Francesco, 36, was extended to three years. A Los Angeles judge signed off on an order in April preventing Francesco from contacting or coming within 100 yards of the singer or his other son, Emilio.
In court documents, Emilio said he and Valli feared for their safety after Francesco attempted to break into their father’s property. While waiting for law enforcement to arrive, Francesco “repeatedly physically threatened to harm or kill” both Valli and Emilio, threats that were “part of a pattern for the past several months”.
Valli married the former CBS marketing executive Jackie Jacobs, 61, in Las Vegas in June 2023.
Source: theguardian.com
