Oh, what a night, and oh what a legacy!
Frankie Valli, the 90-year-old living embodiment of pop music history, took the stage at the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls on June 9, 2024, and proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that age is just a number when you’re a legend.
The crowd, a beautiful tapestry of generations united by their love for Valli’s music, packed the venue to the rafters, eager to bask in the presence of a true icon. And boy, did Frankie deliver! From the moment he stepped into the spotlight, the energy in the room was electric, as if everyone present knew they were witnessing history in the making.
Sure, Valli may not move like he did in his prime, but who cares? His voice, that glorious, soul-stirring falsetto, is why we were all there. And some may whisper about lip-syncing or technological enhancements, but let’s be real: when you’re 90 years old and still selling out shows, you’ve earned the right to use every trick in the book. There’s a lot more pre-recorded tracks in live music than most may realize and I’ve seen my fair share of lip sync faux pas over the years, but this was more about a 90-year-old man who is so passionate about being on the stage and performing that he’d do whatever it took to try and give people the sound they remembered. And even if there were moments where the vocals seemed a little too perfect to be true, it didn’t matter. Frankie Valli’s music is about the feeling, the emotion, the sheer joy of being alive, and that’s exactly what he delivered. With a powerful band and four singing and dancing background singers, the show was entertaining from start to finish.
Every song was a trip down memory lane, a reminder of why Frankie Valli is a name that will live forever in the annals of music history. “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man” – these aren’t just songs, they’re anthems, the soundtrack to countless lives and loves. And when Valli belted out “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” it was like the whole world stopped spinning, lost in the magic of the moment.
But Frankie Valli is more than just a singer; he’s a symbol, a living testament to the power of music to transcend time and space. As a founding member of the Four Seasons, he didn’t just create music – he created a legacy, a sound that would inspire generations of artists to come. From the streets of New Jersey to the stages of the world, Frankie Valli has left an indelible mark on the world of music, and we are all richer for it.
As the night drew to a close with a thunderous rendition of “Let’s Hang On,” the crowd was on their feet, tears in their eyes, voices raised in a collective chorus of love and gratitude. Frankie Valli may be 90 years old, but he’s still got the power to make us feel alive, to remind us of the sheer, unadulterated joy of being human.
So here’s to Frankie Valli, the living legend, the voice of a generation, the man who taught us all how to love, how to dream, how to live. May his music continue to inspire us, to lift us up, to remind us of the beauty and the power of the human spirit. Because in a world that can sometimes feel cold and dark, Frankie Valli is a shining light, a beacon of hope and joy and love. And for that, we will be forever grateful.
All photos by Dan Savoie
