Frankie Valli facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Frankie Valli
Valli performing in 2012
Background information
Birth name	Francesco Stephen Castelluccio
Also known as	Frankie Valley
Born	(1934-05-03) May 3, 1934 (age 91) Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres	Rock pop disco blue-eyed soul
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1951–present
Associated acts	The Four Lovers The Four Seasons The Wonder Who?

Frankie Valli (born Francesco Stephen Castelluccio on May 3, 1934) is a famous American singer and actor. He is best known as the lead singer of the popular group The Four Seasons. Frankie Valli is famous for his unique and powerful high-pitched singing voice, called a falsetto.

With The Four Seasons, Valli had many hit songs. Some of their number-one hits include "Sherry" (1962), "Big Girls Don't Cry" (1962), "Walk Like a Man" (1963), "Rag Doll" (1964), and "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" (1975).

As a solo artist, Frankie Valli also had big hits. His songs "My Eyes Adored You" (1974) and "Grease" (1978) both reached number one.

Frankie Valli and the original members of The Four Seasons, Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi, and Bob Gaudio, were honored for their music. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. They also joined the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. In 2024, Frankie Valli received a star on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Early Life and Musical Start

Frankie Valli was born Francesco Stephen Castelluccio on May 3, 1934. He grew up in Newark, New Jersey, in an Italian family. His father, Anthony, was a barber, and his mother, Mary, worked at home and for a beer company.

When he was seven, Frankie Valli saw the singer Frank Sinatra perform. This show inspired him to become a singer too. He chose his stage name, Valli, from an early favorite singer named "Texas" Jean Valli. Before he could make a living from music, he worked as a barber.

Frankie Valli's Music Career

Valli started his singing journey in 1951 with a group called the Variety Trio. He learned a lot from Nick Macioci, who later joined him in The Four Seasons. He also learned from "Texas" Jean Valli, who helped him get his first record deal. His first song, "My Mother's Eyes," was released in 1953.

Later, Valli and Tommy DeVito formed a new group called The Variatones. In 1956, they changed their name to the Four Lovers. They had a small hit song called "You're the Apple of My Eye" that year. This led to their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.

After a few years, the group changed its members. In 1959, Bob Gaudio joined them. By 1960, the group became "The 4 Seasons." They got their name from a bowling alley in Union, New Jersey.

Valli (front, center) with the Four Seasons in 1966.

As the lead singer of The Four Seasons, Valli had many hit songs. Their first big hit was "Sherry" in 1962. They continued to have many successful songs throughout the 1960s.

During the 1960s, Frankie Valli also started recording songs on his own. This was unusual because he was still singing with his group. He showed off his natural singing voice, which was different from the high falsetto he used with The Four Seasons.

In 1975, his solo song "My Eyes Adored You" became a number one hit. This created a bit of a challenge for the band. Frankie Valli's record label wanted to sign him as a solo artist, but not the whole band. The Four Seasons eventually signed with a different label.

In 1978, Frankie Valli sang the famous theme song for the movie Grease. This song, written by Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, became another number one hit for Valli.

Frankie Valli had some hearing problems in the late 1970s due to a condition called otosclerosis. However, surgery in 1980 helped him get most of his hearing back.

Valli performing at the Saban Theatre in 2013

In 2005, a musical called Jersey Boys opened on Broadway. This show tells the life story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. It features many of their hit songs. The musical became very popular and won several awards, including Best Musical. It was also made into a movie in 2014.

Frankie Valli has continued to release music and tour. In 2007, he released Romancing the '60s, an album of cover songs. In 2016, he released a Christmas album called 'Tis the Seasons. He also released a jazz album in 2021 called A Touch of Jazz.

Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons have continued to perform for many years. In 2023, Valli mentioned that his tour might be his last. He said that touring was getting tiring, but he still loved performing for his fans.

Acting Roles

Besides singing, Frankie Valli has also acted in TV shows and movies. He appeared in shows like Miami Vice, Full House, and The Sopranos. He also had a role in the 2014 movie And So It Goes.

In 2014, he played a lawyer named Leonard Cassano in an episode of Hawaii Five-0.

Frankie Valli's Family Life

Frankie Valli has been married four times. His first wife was Mary, and they had two daughters, Antonia and Francine. He later married MaryAnn Hannagan and then Randy Clohessy. With Randy, he had three sons: Emilio, Francesco Jr., and Brando.

In 2023, Frankie Valli married Jackie Jacobs in Las Vegas. They live in Encino, California.

Discography

Studio Albums

Singles

See also

In Spanish: Frankie Valli para niños