As the sun set over Epsom Downs racecourse and Johns Biscuit was taking the winning plaudits the stage was lit and the crowd moved forward in anticipation for Frankie Valli to come on and get them dancing; And he didn’t disappoint.The original Jersey Boy, who was pulling in screaming crowds through the 60s and 70s, still found that he can get a crowd going 50 years after his first number one hit. Coming on to the stage blasting out one of his more recognised hits, ‘Grease’, the crowd from the front of the stage all the way back through the grandstands were dancing from the off. Flanked by four young singers who were more than capable of performing as if they were the original ‘Four Seasons’, Frankie still stood out as the charismatic front man, playing to the crowd as he did all those years ago in New Jersey.
With little talking in between, the hits just kept on coming out. With people slow dancing in the grandstand to songs like ‘My eyes adored you’ and ‘Can’t take me eyes off you’ even the younger generation were enjoying the show. There was a good mix of young and old throughout the crowd and all were singing along to the well-known hits that have stood the test of time. Things were a little more up-beat when Frankie sang out ‘December 1963 (Oh what a night)’, a song that everyone knew the words to and got dancing to. A medley of songs back to back including ‘Sherry’, ‘Big girls don’t cry’, ‘Walk like a man’ and ‘Working my way back to you’ had the crowd elated. Nonstop smash hit after smash hit, Frankie had the crowd in the palm of his hand. The grandstands were packed to the rafters with arms swaying in the air and people dancing, some after a little too much Pimm’s!
The night culminated with Frankie singing ‘Bye bye baby (baby goodbye)’. Just short of two hours after he started the crowd could have stayed and sang along a lot longer into the night. All in all, with some excellent racing action and a brilliant set from the Jersey Boys front man, the night had it all. It was a night for the whole family to enjoy, young and old could take in the euphoric atmosphere right from the first race to the last song. As luck would have it the sun shone all through the evening too and we got the mild night everyone had hoped for.
With many more nights planned throughout the month, Epsom Live continues to draw in the crowds, who never fail to be entertained. And Frankie Valli continues to draw in the crowds well into his 70s but still rocking like that young 17 year old that kicked off his career in the Strand club, New Jersey.
Published on 07 July 2012 by felthammartin
