What is Frankie Valli’s Net Worth?
Frankie Valli, the American singer, has a net worth of $80 million. He gained fame as the lead vocalist of The 4 Seasons and later pursued a successful solo career. Valli receives substantial royalties from the hit Broadway production “Jersey Boys,” which has grossed over $3 billion worldwide to date.
Early Life and Career of Frankie Valli
Frankie Valli was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1934. His parents were Anthony Castelluccio and Mary Rinaldi. Valli was inspired to pursue a singing career after watching Frank Sinatra perform when he was only seven years old. He later adopted the stage name Jean Valli, after one of his favorite singers.
To support himself while working on his music career, Valli worked as a barber. He eventually found success as a musician and became a member of the Four Seasons, one of the most successful bands of the 1960s.
Early Career of Frankie Valli
Frankie Valli began his singing career in the early ’50s with the Variety Trio, which included Nickie DeVito, Tommy DeVito, and Nick Macioci. The group had heard him sing and offered him a guest spot in one of their performances.
In late 1952, the Variety Trio disbanded and Valli and Tommy DeVito became part of the house band at The Strand in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Along with singing, Valli also played bass. Valli cut his first single, “My Mother’s Eyes,” a cover of the 1929 George Jessel song.
Around this time, Valli and DeVito left the house band at The Strand and formed the Variatones with Hank Majewski, Frank Cattone, and Billy Thompson. In 1965, the band impressed New York record exec Peter Paul, who had them audition at RCA Victor the next week.
Frankie Valli’s Career with The Four Seasons
The Four Levels, a group consisting of Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi, and Hank Majewski, was formed in 1954. They changed their name to The Four Lovers and released their first single, “You’re the Apple of My Eye,” in 1956. The group went through several lineup changes before Bob Gaudio joined and they rebranded as The Four Seasons. The name was inspired by a cocktail lounge they visited after auditioning at a bowling alley.
The Four Seasons went on to achieve massive success in the 1960s, with 29 Top 40 hits to their name. Valli’s powerful falsetto voice was a signature sound behind hits like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Rag Doll,” and “Let’s Hang On!”
Valli was also the original artist to record “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine (Anymore),” a song produced by Bob Crewe that was later covered by the Walker Brothers and became a huge success.
Frankie Valli’s Music Career
Frankie Valli established himself as a solo artist in 1967 with the hit “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.” He continued to balance his solo music career with his work with the Four Seasons, releasing joint albums and singles throughout the 60s and 70s.
In the mid-1970s, Valli found success in the disco era with hits like “My Eyes Adored You” and “Swearin’ to God.” He also covered the Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” for the musical documentary “All This and World War II” in 1976.
Valli scored a number one hit in 1978 with “Grease,” the theme song for the film version of the play. He continued to release chart-topping singles like “Save Me, Save Me” and “Fancy Dancer” throughout the late 70s.
Valli suffered hearing loss in the late 70s, but most of his hearing was restored in 1980 after surgery. In 1992, the Four Seasons released a new album entitled “Hope and Glory.”
Jersey Boys: A Tribute to Frankie Valli’s Life and Music
In the 1990s and early 2000s, Frankie Valli’s extensive body of work kept him in the public eye as a source of nostalgia. However, it wasn’t until the award-winning Broadway musical “Jersey Boys” premiered in 2005 that proper respect was paid to his life and accomplishments. The musical, performed by Valli and the Four Seasons, presented a biographical narrative from each member’s point of view. The show has since toured worldwide and even has a version at the Paris Las Vegas casino, cementing Valli’s contributions to popular music and unique voice.
The musical’s success is evident in its eight Tony Awards nominations, including Best Musical, Actor, and Supporting Actor, with four wins. In 2014, it was adapted into a film directed by Clint Eastwood, further honoring Valli’s enduring legacy.
Frankie Valli’s Career Achievements
Frankie Valli was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999 as one of the original members of The Four Seasons. He released an album called “Romancing the ’60s” in October 2007, featuring covers of his favorite songs from the 1960s. In October 2012, he made his Broadway debut with a week-long concert series at the Broadway Theatre in New York. From March 2016 to January 2017, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons toured small-to-mid-size venues across the U.S. He also appeared as an actor in a few TV shows, including “The Sopranos.”
On September 21, 2020, his fellow bandmate Tommy DeVito passed away at the age of 92.
Marriages and Tragedies
Frankie Valli has been married three times. His first marriage was to Mary in his early twenties, and they had two daughters together. They divorced in 1971 after 13 years of marriage. He then married MaryAnn Hannagan in 1974, but their marriage only lasted eight years. In 1984, he married Randy Clohessy, and they had three sons before separating in 2004.
Tragedy has touched Valli’s life. In 1980, his stepdaughter Celia died after falling off a fire escape. Just six months later, his youngest daughter Francine died from a drug overdose.
In May 2012, Valli was recognized for his humanitarian efforts and causes with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.