slides: Frankie Valli at PPAC

Saturday, April 25, 2015

GoLocalProv Lifestyle Team

Frankie Valli performed to a sellout crowd at the Providence Performing Arts Center. The show was a walk down memory lane - chock-full of hits from the 60’s and 70’s that made Valli a household name. GoLocal photographer Rick Farrell was there to capture all the action in the slideshow below.

Related Slideshow: Frankie Valli at PPAC

Frankie Valli had his first number one hit in the year I was born. "Sherry" reached number one on the charts in 1962. This was the beginning of a long and illustrious career that would span six decades, with dozens of chart-topping hits. Whether he was performing with the Four Seasons or solo, the boy from New Jersey has always captivated America with his powerful falsetto voice. Since the Tony Award winning Broadway premier of Jersey boys in 2005, Frankie is once again packing the concert halls. On Sunday he performed to a sellout crowd at The Providence Performing Arts Center.

One might think there would have been a mature audience. However, it appeared to span many different generations. There was the expected senior crowd, yet there were many 20, 30, and 40 somethings in attendance as well. Interactive and energized, fans could often be heard screaming “you still got it Frankie!” A couple of bras were even tossed to the stage at times. A taken back Frankie had to pause a moment and laugh. Further lending his sense of humor, and acknowledging a heavy Rhode Island Italian population he asked, “Are there any Italians out there?” and “Did anybody bring any eggplant sandwiches?” All the while he was surprisingly nubile and energetic for a man his age. And his voice? It’s still as powerful at eighty as it was at thirty.

Last night’s show was a walk down memory lane; chock-full of hits from the 60’s and 70’s that made Frankie Valli a household name. On stage with today’s incarnation of the Four Seasons, Frankie opened with a very powerful rendition of "Grease." He then proceeded to play the tunes that made him a mega star: "Dawn (Go Away)", "My Eyes Adored You", "Rag Doll", "Who Loves You", "Can’t Take My Eyes Off You" (which he dedicated to the audience), "Sherry", "Walk Like a Man", "Big Girls Don’t Cry", "Swearin' To God", "Bye Bye Baby". An endearing "December 1963 (Oh What a Night)" landed him a standing ovation. Somewhere about midway through the show, he performed a string of cover songs off of his 2007 album, Romancing the 60’s. Very strong renditions of Shirley Bassey’s "Call Me", Gilbert Becaud’s "Let It Be Me", Ben E. King’s "Spanish Harlem", The Temptations’ "My Girl", Cole Porter’s "I’ve Got You Under My Skin", Young Rascals "Groovin", and Maurice Williams’ "Stay." All were performed wonderfully with that one and only Frankie Valli harmony. He finished the night with an encore of "Let’s Hang On."

To say this performance was entertaining would be an understatement. Frankie Valli is still a vibrant and gut grabbing showman. He engaged the audience with his every word while them what they came to see and more. A very humble thanks to this fantastic performer.

View Larger +

Prev Next

Frankie Valli at PPAC

Frankie Valli and The Four Season were inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

View Larger +

Prev Next

Frankie Valli at PPAC

Valli had 29 Top 40 hits with The Four Seasons and 9 solo.

View Larger +

Prev Next

Frankie Valli at PPAC

Valli began his career as the frontman for The Four Seasons in 1960.

View Larger +

Prev Next

Frankie Valli at PPAC

Valli's first number 1 hit was "Sherry" in 1962.

View Larger +

Prev Next

Frankie Valli at PPAC

A mainstay on the charts in the 60's, Valli ushered in the 70's with a string of hits such as "My Eyes Adored You," "Swearin' to God," "Who Loves You," "Our Day Will Come," "Decenber 1963 (Oh What a Night)," and "Grease."