Frankie Valli can’t take his eyes off the stage and has no intention of retiring, despite recent performances raising questions of elder abuse.
The 90-year-old “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” singer on Monday told People he wanted to “clear the air” after displaying apparent disorientation during those shows, as seen in viral footage.
“I know there has been a lot of stuff on the internet about me lately so I wanted to clear the air. 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 [have],” said the Newark-born Four Seasons frontman.
The Grammy nominee added that he gets “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,” said Valli. “I plan to be doing shows as long as I can, delivering that great Four Seasons sound. Like that line in ‘Jersey Boys,’ I’m like that bunny on TV, that just keeps going and going and going. Chasing the music.”
Clips from recent performances of Valli’s show him appearing to miss some choreography and lyrics, eliciting concern, which comes after multiple ups and downs over the past year-and-a-half.
In June 2023, after eight years of dating, he married his fourth wife, 61-year-old former CBS exec Jackie Jacobs.
This spring, Valli and his younger son, Emilio, were granted temporary restraining orders against the “Grease” singer’s eldest son, Francesco. The latter was accused of having repeatedly threatened Valli and 29-year-old Emilio. Within weeks, the restraining order was made permanent, expiring April 29, 2027.