Frankie Valli performs at Resorts World Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Frankie Valli performs his much-awaited concert at the Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila on Jan. 20. Frankie, who came to fame in 1962 as the lead singer of the Four Seasons, is hotter than ever in the 21st century. Thanks to the success of the Tony-winning musical Jersey Boys, which chronicles the life and times of Frankie and his legendary group, such classic songs as Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like a Man, Rag Doll and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You are all the rage all over again. As the play enters its third sold-out year on Broadway, and two touring companies of Jersey Boys travel around the US, Frankie is packing concert halls coast to coast, from the Rose Theater, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, to L.A.’s Kodak Theater, home of the Academy Awards.

Now Frankie salutes the decade that made him a star with his first new studio album in 15 years. In Romancing The ’60s, he puts his own stamp on some of his favorite ’60s songs, the ones he always wanted to record but somehow got away such as Spanish Harlem, Call Me and Take Good Care of My Baby. The album features a delightful guest appearance by the four young stars of Jersey Boys, providing background vocals. Launched with perfect timing amid Jersey Boys-mania, Romancing The ’60s is the most eagerly anticipated album of Frankie’s 54-year recording career.

But please don’t say that Frankie is back. The truth is, he never went away. The majority of the 71 chart hits of Frankie and the Four Seasons (including 40 in the Top 40, 19 in the Top 10 and eight No. 1’s) came during the ’60s, but the music didn’t just disappear. He has toured almost continuously since 1962, and his songs have been omnipresent in such movies as The Deer Hunter, Dirty Dancing, Mrs. Doubtfire, Conspiracy Theory and The Wanderers. As many as 200 artists have done cover versions of Frankie’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, from Nancy Wilson’s jazz treatment to Lauryn Hill’s hip-hop makeover. Frankie’s other big hits include Sherry, Let’s Hang On, I’ve Got You Under My Skin and his huge ’70s hits Swearin’ To God, My Eyes Adored You and Grease.

Frankie and the Seasons have influenced many other great recording artists. That was acknowledged in dozens of recent tributes collected for Jersey Beat, the newly released Four Seasons boxed set. For example, from Barry Gibb: “Frankie Valli to me has become one of the hallmark voices of our generation. From the deepest emotions of his real voice to the power of his falsetto, he created a style that we all still strive to emulate.” From Billy Joel: “I wrote Uptown Girl as the flip side to the story of Rag Doll. I always loved that record.” And from Brian Wilson: “In the early ’60s the Four Seasons were my favorite group. I thought they were fantastic. The voice blend was fantastic. The competition helped me to get cracking. It inspired me, because they made good music. I went to the piano thinking I could top their music.”

(Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ one-night-only concert at the Resorts World Manila’s Newport Performing Arts Theater is produced by Ovation Productions and sponsored by 2nd Avenue, Jack TV, Jack City, The Philippine STAR, Manila Bulletin, and BusinessWorld. Tickets at P14,000; P11,000; P9,000; P7,000; and P5,000 available through www.ticketworld.com.ph, www.ticketnet.com.ph, www.smtickets.com, Resorts World Manila box-office with tel. no. 908-8000 loc.7700.)