According to Frankie Valli, age is “a frame of mind,” and there are new things to learn at every age. As he turned 89, the iconic singer spoke to PEOPLE magazine about his relationship with Frank Sinatra, on Nick Jonas playing him in the new Jersey Boys musical, and what it is like being older.
“It feels pretty good,” Frankie told the outlet about being a year shy of 90. Frankie also spoke about his interests and hobbies, including his stance on retirement. “I’ll probably tour until I can’t do it anymore,” he affirmed.
Nick Jonas will be playing Frankie in the new musical
Frankie shared his thoughts on the new movie Jersey Boys, which is coming out with Nick Jonas playing young Frankie. “Well, [from] what I’ve seen of it so far, I think he’s brilliant. The Jonas Brothers are terrific to start off, and they also come from New Jersey,” he remarked.
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Frankie actually had a say in the casting of Jonas to play him in the Jersey Boys movie musical and is “very happy” about the choice that was made.
Frankie on staying young at 89
For Frankie, it’s “just another year” as he turns 89. “My health has been good enough so that I can drive— I have all my marbles, and I’m always interested in learning,” he said. “I like reading scripts, and I always go over new music and listen to other people’s music for inspiration.”
On how he stays young and active, Frankie revealed that he listens to rap music and joked about eating baby food. “Your mind is what keeps you young — you have to keep using it. I know people who couldn’t wait to retire, and when they got to the moment of retirement, they started getting old real quick,” he replied. Speaking of retiring, he has no plans to do so anytime soon.
Frankie was inspired by Frank Sinatra as a young boy
Frankie grew up in a housing project, the street which has now been named after him. His experience with living in the projects is one of the biggest factors that initiated his career. “All my dreams originated from there. From being a kid growing up there and my mom taking me at a very young age to see my very first performance, Sinatra. I had made up my mind that that’s what I wanted to do,” he shared.
The 1990 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee expressed his gratitude for a great career, which eventually made him friends with Sinatra. “Never thought in a million years that I would make it or become friends with Frank Sinatra, but it happened, and it was incredible,” Frankie gushed.