Graham Nash says Frankie Valli should retire from performing: "If you’re not singing, you shouldn’t be on stage"

1 November 2024, 13:49

Frankie Valli has been performing for many decades.

Frankie Valli turned 90 years of age this year, and many believe he should no longer be taking to the stage.

That's because of the videos taken of his performances which have gone viral for the wrong reasons.

Looking frail and out of sorts, Valli very evidently isn't singing any of his songs live, frequently missing lyrics and barely moving his lips whilst his songs play out.

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Fan-shot footage of his concerts prompted accusations of elder abuse against his management, and allegations of lip-syncing.

Valli came out with a statement shortly after to renege any such allegations, though, nobody seems to be buying it.

That's certainly the case with Graham Nash, who recently weighed in by saying: "As a musician, if you're not singing, you shouldn’t be onstage."

In a new interview with the Washington Post, Frankie Valli once again addressed accusations of lip-syncing, saying: "If I say I'm not, you either believe me or you don't."

Interviewed for the same feature, The Hollies' former singer Nash disputed Valli's claims immediately.

"Frankie Valli is not singing," he said. "He's just lip-syncing badly to a tape. As a musician, if you're not singing, you shouldn’t be onstage."

The Crosby, Stills & Nash legend used his dear friend Joni Mitchell as an example of how to adapt to live performance if an artist's voice can't meet the expectations that their back catalogue requires.

With her return to the stage after suffering an aneurysm, Joni's angelic voice has deepened over the years, yet she utilises the change in new ways rather than sticking to the same notes and arrangements as her recordings.

"She certainly doesn't have the top-end range that she used to have," Nash said about his former lover Mitchell.

"But, at the same time, there is a beauty. What we are getting instead of a top range is incredible phrasing in a lower range."

Is Frankie Valli Okay?

Graham Nash isn't the only artist who has spoken out about Frankie Valli's current predicament.

Ann Wilson, singer in the iconic rock band Heart, has also provided an opinion on the matter.

"Oh, my God. His face is completely still. He looks like he's not even there. I suppose he's not," she said.

"I think that's the moment when you have to decide whether to walk offstage or not."

"You really have to look at your morals and go, 'Do I just want to go up there and phone it in, give a bulls**t performance because I'm me, or do I take the high road?'"

The debate about Valli's current physical limitations on stage will rumble on, despite The Four Seasons' singer addressing the public's concerns.

In a statement issued to People magazine soon after videos of his performances went viral, Frankie said: "I know there has been a lot of stuff on the internet about me lately so I wanted to clear the air."

"I am blessed to be 90 years old and still be doing what I love to do and as long as I am able, and audiences want to come see me, I am going to be out there performing as I always [sic]."

"I absolutely love what I do. And I know we put on a great show because our fans are still coming out in force and the show still rocks."

"I get a chuckle from the comments wondering if someone forcing me to go on stage. Nobody has ever made me do anything I didn't want to do."