Hometown hero, Frankie Valli, was honored by Newark, New Jersey who sang the praises of the musical icon on Thursday (4.27.) when the Four Seasons-front man returned to his old neighborhood where the city dedicated a street in his honor.
Before becoming the high falsetto voice of the legendary 1960s band – with such hits as The band’s songs like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man” – the now 88-year-old legend grew up in Newark’s Stephen Crane Village Housing Project
During the ceremony, those who knew him best spoke about the honor.
“I think this is amazing and spectacular and deserved,” his daughter Antonia Valli said.
“It was family but they were the East Coast Beach Boys so it was just wonderful as a kid watching him on the Ed Sullivan Show,” said Nick Massi Jr., whose father was a member of the Four Seasons.
As humble as he is famous and loved, Valli took all the time in the world to snap photos with adoring fans, and said:
“It’s something to remember forever, it’s just one of the greatest moments of my life, I can’t believe they named a street after me.” “It’s been a wonderful day really, and there is so much sentiment in Stephen Crane Village for me, right up until I became successful I lived here…my mother lived here and died here.”
Frankie Valli’s story was adapted to the the Tony-winning Broadway musical “Jersey Boys” and later a Clint Eastwood film.
Keep up with the latest trending music news by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Author: Saul Goode
Photo: East Ham Bull