Last modified: Monday, September 14, 2009
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons open IU Auditorium season Sept. 26
WHAT: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 26, 8 p.m.
WHERE: IU Auditorium, 1211 E. Seventh St.
TICKETS: $20-$39 for IU Bloomington students with a valid ID and $39-$54 for the general public, on sale now. Individual tickets may be purchased online at IUauditorium.com, in person at the IU Auditorium Box Office, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., by phone at 812-855-1103, as well as through Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, or charge by phone at 800-745-3000. The IU Auditorium Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 14, 2009
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- IU Auditorium opens its 2009-2010 season with Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons Saturday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. With the recent success of the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit musical Jersey Boys, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons have been selling out shows throughout the country.
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons are among the most successful recording artists of the 1960s, with hit songs like "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" and "Walk Like a Man." The band mixed doo-wop with rhythm and blues to help define the music of the 1960s. Over the span of their career, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons have had 19 Top Ten hits and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Their catchy songs continue to be sung today and have been used in movies, including Forest Gump and Grease.
"People always love the opportunity to see Frankie Valli perform," said IU Auditorium Director Doug Booher. "His uplifting, energetic concert is sure to appeal to fans of all ages."
Valli is a Newark, New Jersey, native who early in his career was inspired by the smooth songs and voice of Frank Sinatra. Valli began his singing career in 1952 and became a success with the song "Sherry" in 1962.
Other interesting Frankie facts:
- Valli joined with Nick Massi, Tommy DeVito and Bob Gaudio to make the original Four Seasons.
- Valli recorded his own album, with his first Top 40 hit in 1966, "You're Gonna Hurt Yourself." The Four Seasons also reached the No. 3 spot on the charts with "Let's Hang On."
- Some of the band's Top 40 hits were "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," "I'll Make a Fool of Myself" and "To Give (The Reason I Live)." Other notable of songs of Valli's include the No. 1 hit of 1976, "December, '63 (Oh, What a Night)" and another huge hit 1978 as the title track of the Grease soundtrack.
- Valli guest starred for two seasons on HBO's "The Sopranos" and The Four Seasons' music could be heard in the show or sometimes over the credits.
- In total, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons have had 19 Top 10 hits and sold more than 100 million records.
- Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and were named longevity champ of the rock era by Billboard magazine.
- Valli is joined on current stage tours by Robby Robinson (Music Director and Keyboards), Landon Beard (Singer/ Dancer), Brian Brigham (Singer/ Dancer), Brian Brigham (Singer/ Dancer), Todd Fournier (Singer/ Dancer), Craig Pilo (Drums), John Menzano (Bass), and Gary Melvin (Guitar).
More information on Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons and all shows from IU Auditorium's 2009-2010 season can be found at IUauditorium.com. The Web site features video clips and a selection of songs from this season's performances, in addition to podcasts and a direct link to the IU Auditorium Facebook Fan Page, whose member receive exclusive benefits throughout the year.
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons is sponsored by the Indiana University Memorial Union, Classic Touch Limousines and Lamar Advertising. The IU Auditorium 2009-2010 season is presented by Curry Auto Center, B97, The Herald-Times, Indiana University Document Service Center, Indiana University Residential Programs and Services and Ivy Tech Community College.
