Music legend Frankie Valli is at the center of concerns about elder abuse. 90-year-old Valli has continued to perform on stage, even after turning 90 in May. After fans’ worries mounted recently, Valli has addressed the rumors that he’s being forced to perform against his will.
The New Jersey icon is known as the frontman of the Four Seasons and has been shaping the music scene since 1951. His particular performances are characterized by his uniquely powerful lead falsetto voice. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and New Jersey Hall of Fame.
Frankie Valli dispels rumors of elder abuse and assures he’s doing exactly what he wants to
Videos of Valli’s recent performances have gone viral and have sparked concerns that he is being forced to perform against his will and the betterment of his health at his advanced age. The Last Encores tour kicked off last October and still has more dates and cities scheduled for April 2025.
Viewers have suggested Valli is being “made to” perform because he appears “exhausted” or even lip-syncing while being unaware of his surroundings mentally. Another fan called the whole situation “very sad” while a different viewer compared his whole bearing to that of an animatronic.
“Whoever keeps sending Frankie Valli out on stage at this point is committing elder abuse,” one viewer accused.
Valli has now come forward to directly address these mounting concerns of elder abuse.
All according to plan
“I know there has been a lot of stuff on the internet about me lately so I wanted to clear the air,” said Valli in a statement earlier this week. “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 do.”
“I absolutely love what I do,” he stressed, “And I know we put on a great show because our fans are still coming out in force and the show still rocks.”
Some comments also have claimed that things look so “effortless.” Valli went on to focus on the group’s enduring style of performing. “How do we do the show?!” he added. “The Four Seasons sound was always about layering vocals and instruments. 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 [is] forcing me to go on stage. Nobody has ever made me do anything I didn’t want to do.”