Valli Meets Valli in Toronto: JERSEY BOYS' Jeff Madden Talks Life and Career with Frankie Valli

Jeff Madden, currently starring as music legend Frankie Valli in the Toronto production of JERSEY BOYS, was given the chance to sit down with the real Frankie Valli this past weekend, the Toronto Star reports. Madden questioned Valli on his views of success, family, and the like in their short conversation. Valli is in town to perform a concert at Massey Hall on November 6th, as previously reported.

When Madden questioned Valli about his views of success, Valli replied, "The pursuit of success is relentless. It's not enough to have talent, you've got to have the right people beside you. I've had Bob Gaudio with me on the strength of a handshake for 50 years." Madden was given the opportunity to work with Gaudio when preparing for the role. Gaudio coached Madden on replicating the distinct Frankie Valli vocal style.

Madden posed difficult questions to Valli, including how to balance performance and family. Valli told Madden, "You need to be married to somebody who's really understanding and doesn't look at the stage as her competition. She has to understand that for you to be great at what you're doing, you don't have time for any other women but her."

To read the full article from the Toronto Star, click here.

'Oh What a Night' it is bound to be on Friday November 6, when Frankie Valli, the original Jersey boy with the golden falsetto, and his current Four Seasons line-up croon for fans in a rare concert appearance at Toronto's Massey Hall.

Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons are a veritable institution in rock and roll history, selling over a staggering 175 million records in their 40 year career. The group garnered 29 Top 40 hits, which included such beloved classics as "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Walk Like a Man," "Rag Doll," and "December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)". In 1990, Valli, along with fellow original members of the Four Seasons, Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi, and Bob Gaudio were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

While remaining an active member of the Four Seasons, Valli branched out as a solo artist in 1966. That same year, he scored a Top 40 hit with "You're Gonna Hurt Yourself," following it up the next year with the Gaudio/Crewe composed classic "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," which earned him a number 2 spot in the charts. In 1974 Valli was back on top of the charts, going platinum with the wistful ballad "My Eyes Adored You." Valli earned another number one hit with his recording of the theme song from the 1979 film version of 'Grease.'

The hits stemming from the Four Seasons' extensive musical catalogue spawned the Tony-award winning hit musical Jersey Boys. The musical, which continues to electrify audiences of all ages across North America, chronicles the tumultuous times of the blue-collar foursome who hailed from the wrong side of the tracks. Night after night, the show plays to sold-out audiences who are taken on a reflective, toe-tapping musical journey, from the group's pitch perfect harmonization under a streetlamp to their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Toronto production, currently playing at the Toronto Centre for the Arts, has captured the musical heart of the city and has been extended for a second year to accommodate the ongoing overwhelming demand for tickets.

Tickets for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons range from $43.50-$87.50 and can be purchased online or by calling the box office at 416-872-4255. Massey Hall is located at 178 Victoria Street, downtown Toronto. The concert begins at 8PM. For more information, click here.

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.