Frankie Valli has issued a statement after viral videos of him at recent shows sparked concern from fans.
Footage of the Four Seasons legend, who turned 90 this year, performing during his recent concerts appeared to show him lip-syncing while displaying difficulty keeping up with the music.
A series of videos circulated on social media over the weekend, with many expressing concern over his wellbeing.
“I love Frankie Valli… but this isn’t right,” one person shared, with another calling it “a tough watch”.
Now the ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’ singer has addressed the speculation around his wellbeing.
“I know there has been a lot of stuff on the internet about me lately so I wanted to clear the air,” he shared in a statement to People magazine on Monday (September 30). “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. I absolutely love what I do. And I know we put on a great show because our fans are still coming out in force and the show still rocks.”
He continued: “How do we do the show?! 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 forcing me to go on stage. Nobody has ever made me do anything I didn’t want to do.”
The ‘Grease’ singer concluded: “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.”
WHY? pic.twitter.com/Wjm7ZxPMAL
— eve (@eveforamerica) September 28, 2024
@rollercoasters12345 #frankievalli
♬ original sound – darlo dubs
This isn’t the first time the seasoned performer has been accused of lip-syncing. In 2017 during a performance at the Minnesota State Fair, The Minnesota Star Tribune reported that he “barely moved his lips”, adding: “He rarely looked as if he was taking the kind of deep breaths required to sing with palpable passion. And he never seemed the least bit winded after any song.”
He also made headlines once again earlier this year when another video of him appearing to have difficulty performing sparked renewed concerns.
In August, a representative for Valli dismissed claims that the singer was having health problems, telling the New York Post: “Frankie is doing just fine and super happy to still be performing. The audiences are filling venues and listening to some great music. Frankie is doing what he loves to do at 90. We should all be so lucky.”
Valli is still actively touring and has a string of US dates planned throughout the rest of 2024 and into 2025.
