Another New Jersey Legend to Call It Quits

I guess it's hardly a surprise when a popular singer announces his retirement at the age of 89. What you may find surprising, is that he's still selling out arenas wherever he performs.

Francesco Stephen Castelluccio, better known as Frankie Valli, was born in Newark in 1934.

He began his career in the early 1950s, bouncing between several local singing groups. It wasn't until 1960 that Frankie, and his friends, Bob Gaudio, Nick Massi, and Tommy DeVito took up the name, The Four Seasons.

Interesting trivia note, while it's understandable to think they derived their name from the four seasons they enjoyed living in New Jersey, the reality is less colorful. They actually took their name from a bowling alley in Union, New Jersey.

In 1962, The Four Seasons scored their first number-one single, Sherry.

By the mid-'60s, Frankie Valli began recording solo albums. It was in 1975 that Frankie had a number one single, My Eyes Adored You, and later that year he cracked the top 10 with the song, Swearin' to God.

In 2005, a Broadway show, Jersey Boys told the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The show enjoyed a record-breaking 15-year run that came to an end last year.

Even as he's aged, he's continued to play to sold-out crowds. Last week, Frankie Valli and the Four Season announced they'll be making one more round. Frankie Vallie at the age of 89, and The Four Seasons, will embark on a year-long, The Last Encores Tour.

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons Final NJ Shows