Frankie Valli says he has not retired from performing, directly contradicting an announcement made earlier this week by his younger brother, singer Bobby Valli.

“In spite of what you might have heard, I am not retired,” the 92-year-old Four Seasons frontman wrote in a brief statement posted Friday. He signed the message simply, “Frankie.”

Valli’s longtime representative, Victoria Varela, also rejected the retirement report, telling Variety that the claim was false.

The confusion began with an Aug. 12 Facebook post from Bobby Valli, who wrote that his famous brother “will now retire” after more than six decades of live performances.

“We will always have special memories of Frankie Valli,” Bobby wrote. “He has reached a place in his life where his family is there to love, cherish and to be there for him. We appreciate your love and concern.”

Bobby also praised his brother’s lengthy career, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction and worldwide record sales, which he placed at more than 100 million.

Several entertainment outlets initially reported the retirement announcement while noting that it had come from Bobby rather than Frankie or his management. Those reports were subsequently updated after Frankie issued his denial.

The differing statements leave Valli’s future performing schedule uncertain, but one point is now clear: Valli himself does not consider his career officially over.

Tour Canceled Over Health Concerns

The retirement confusion followed Valli’s decision in May to cancel the remaining dates on his 2026 tour.

Weeks after celebrating his 92nd birthday on May 3, Valli announced that he would take the remainder of the year away from touring to concentrate on his health.

“I have decided to take the rest of the year off from touring to focus on my health,” he said at the time, adding that he looked forward to recovering and seeing his fans again.

Neither Valli nor his representatives disclosed the nature of his health problems. His team indicated that he hoped to return to the stage in 2027, making the cancellation a health-related pause rather than a formal retirement.

Valli’s most recent reported performance took place Feb. 22 at the Pechanga Resort Casino theater in Temecula, California.

The cancellation nevertheless renewed questions about whether Valli would perform again. Video from concerts in 2024 had caused some fans to express concern about his age and physical condition. Others questioned whether he was being pressured to continue touring.

Valli strongly rejected those suggestions at the time. He said he enjoyed performing and intended to continue for as long as he remained able and audiences still wanted to see him.

Although his 2026 schedule remains canceled, his new statement indicates that he has not closed the door on another return.

Six Decades of Hits

Valli’s career ranks among the longest and most successful in American pop music.

The Four Seasons formed in 1960 around Valli, Tommy DeVito, Bob Gaudio and Nick Massi. The group broke through nationally in 1962 when “Sherry” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Big Girls Don’t Cry” followed later that year, with “Walk Like a Man” arriving in 1963 and “Rag Doll” in 1964. The Four Seasons remained commercially successful during the British Invasion, which swept many other American vocal groups from the charts.

The group returned to No. 1 in 1975 with “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night).”

Valli also built a successful solo career. “My Eyes Adored You” topped the chart in 1975, while the Barry Gibb-written title song from the movie “Grease” reached No. 1 in 1978.

Other signature recordings include “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Working My Way Back to You,” “Let’s Hang On!” and “Who Loves You.”

Valli and the Four Seasons were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

Their story later became the basis of “Jersey Boys,” which opened on Broadway in 2005 and won four Tony Awards, including best musical. Clint Eastwood directed a movie adaptation released in 2014.

In 2025, the Recording Academy presented Valli with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

For now, Valli is taking time away from touring while focusing on his health. Despite his brother’s announcement, however, the singer insists that the final curtain has not yet fallen.

As Valli put it himself: “I am not retired.”

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