FRANKIE VALLI EXPOSED

In September 2024, my husband and I returned from a trip out west in time to see Frankie Valli in concert at the State Theater in New Brunswick. He’s 90!

We purchased the tickets months in advance and wondered if he would be performing at his advanced age. Returning from our vacation earlier than we would have if we weren’t holding the tickets, we were happy to witness him surviving and thriving on the specified night.

Unlike Valli, I was being generous with that commentary. I sent photos and video clips of his performance to my brother Stu, commenting that he definitely shouldn’t be on stage any longer. Soon after, Stu sent copies of uncomplimentary reviews of Valli’s recent performances.

It was surprising when they announced that photos and videos were permitted. The crowd was dancing in their seats to the beautiful music we grew up on. The many hits he recorded will forever be some of our favorites.

In the 1980s, Valli was a client at my husband’s law office in Newark, New Jersey. He was down on his luck and all the firm got out of the case was a win for Valli and autographed 8x10 glossies of him for the staff. The secretaries were kind enough to have him autograph one for me. What would he think if he knew that I display it in our home, as a joke, so that I can tell the story to our friends and relatives when they visit?

In October, the law firm took the staff to see Jersey Boys at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey. It was a refresher, having seen the show on Broadway many years ago. The takeaway was that Valli was down on his luck at one point, but he’s working at 90 to sold-out audiences.

May I get personal for a minute? The music keeps us all coming back. Frankie, you’re doing great, you should pay up. Instead, we paid for tickets to see you perform more of a sunset scene than an encore. Geesh, now who’s laughing?