[Music] Frankie Valli, Brian Wilson, legends and other “museum acts”

jcdenton08 · Sep 10, 2024

It’s pretty much common knowledge within live music circles that Mr. Valli has lip-synced since at least the 80’s - and I am not talking TV spots, but whole concerts and tours.

He is currently on a farewell tour, using the same vocal playback tracks from his 2005 tour. Indeed, I understand most of the instruments are actually click-tracked.

Now it is worth pointing out that Frankie Valli is 90 years old, and this (in my opinion really rather uncomfortable) video is very telling. Scuttlebutt is that Mr. Valli has a lot of bills to pay, even at 90, and even after earning a fortune over the last two decades from “Jersey Boys”.

I have been stung in the past by desperately poor concerts by “legends” (Brian Wilson, Meatloaf) who were - to put it very kindly - way past their prime and not exactly singing every note live.

So I guess my question is would/have you paid to see “legends”? Can be a big tour, on oldies circuit, anything really - who did you see and how was it?

schmunk · Sep 10, 2024

Everyone excited to see Oasis next year...?

jcdenton08 · Sep 10, 2024

schmunk said:
Everyone excited to see Oasis next year...?

Time will tell. I think a promising sign is that both Noel and Liam are actively touring and performing live all around the world (heh), so it’s less codgery than the ones I’ve mentioned.

Don’t get me wrong, they might be shit, but even if so they’re guaranteed to play live, unlike the above ones I mentioned.

Although Meatloaf did cunningly hire a backing singer who sounded identical to him in his pomp to sing the high notes for him.

Nitram · Sep 10, 2024

Saw Brian Wilson at the at The Dome in 2005, great concert although obviously he needed a lot of help and others were doing the heavy lifting, but the sound and atmosphere were great.
Also saw Peter Green at the Komedia when Gary Moore encouraged him to do a live gig, Gary was in the audience, quite obvious Green was a fragile man like Wilson and others were doing most of the work, but it was an enjoyable evening with flashes of brilliance and strangely up lifting.

Dick Swiveller · Sep 10, 2024

Alvin Stardust and Suzi Quattro at the Congress Theatre - saw him twice as Mrs DS was a fan. Both were very good but whilst Alvin was doing his stuff, we could see Suzi sat on a stool just off stage wearing a cardigan. And during her set, she dragged on her daughter. Sort of ruined the rock chick vibe.

Herr Tubthumper · Sep 10, 2024

Nitram said:
Saw Brian Wilson at the at The Dome in 2005, great concert although obviously he needed a lot of help and others were doing the heavy lifting, but the sound and atmosphere were great.
Also saw a Peter Green at the Komedia when Gary Moore encouraged him to do a live gig, Gary was in the audience, quite obvious Green was a fragile man like Wilson and others were doing most of the work, but it was an enjoyable evening with flashes of brilliance and strangely up lifting.

I saw Wilson at the Dome as well, it was nice to be in his presence but he did not look good. I recall his staff had to intervene to guide him through a door to save him walking into a wall.

FamilyGuy · Sep 10, 2024

Nitram said:
Saw Brian Wilson at the at The Dome in 2005, great concert although obviously he needed a lot of help and others were doing the heavy lifting, but the sound and atmosphere were great.
Also saw Peter Green at the Komedia when Gary Moore encouraged him to do a live gig, Gary was in the audience, quite obvious Green was a fragile man like Wilson and others were doing most of the work, but it was an enjoyable evening with flashes of brilliance and strangely up lifting.

I was at that BW concert (was it really that long ago?) and everything you say is true - however, I loved it, it was one of the best things I have ever been part of. The man is a (flawed) genius.

I'm lucky enough to have seen Joan Baez and CSN several times, both of whom (for different reasons) who have quit before they fade away.

schmunk · Sep 10, 2024

Dick Swiveller said:
Suzi sat on a stool just off stage wearing a cardigan. And during her set, she dragged on her daughter.

Suzi Cinco?

Harry Wilson's tackle · Sep 10, 2024

I would never watch one of my old favourite if they were lip synching. I can think of a florid analogy to explain why, but best not share it....

As for old faves who are losing their powers.....I have been a fan of Caravan since around 1972, having seen them live for the first time more than 50 years ago. I have seen them live on and off over the years, culminating with numerous shows when thy had Dougie Boyle on guitar, and were quite magnificent, in the 90s and early noughties.

But Pye Hastings' voice was never strong, and the last time I saw them, at King's School in Canterbury, about 8 years ago, with no Dougie Boyle, Pye doing all the guitar, a couple of years after the wonderful Richard Coughlan (the drummer) had died, replaced by someone whose style I disliked, and no Dave Sinclair on keyboards (Jan Schelhass is OK, but...) . . . . . there was an interval half way and I left. The magic had gone.

Driver8 · Sep 10, 2024

I saw Roxy Music a couple of years back and although Bryan Ferry’s voice isn’t perfect anymore there was certainly no lip syncing and they were brilliant.

Led Zeppelin at the O2 wasn’t bad either.

Jovis · Sep 10, 2024

I was lucky enough to see the great Glen Campbell on his farewell tour in 2011. Despite his obvious dementia issues and struggles to follow where he was on the set-list, his vocals and guitar playing were as brilliant as ever. One of the most under appreciated musicians ever IMHO. One of the best and most moving gigs I have ever been to.

Hotchilidog · Sep 10, 2024

I've seen Brian Wilson twice, at Preston Park I thought he actually engaged with the audience pretty well but it was not a great night for his vocals. The band were so good, it was a great night anyway. I also saw him at Hammersmith Odeon, Brian was being led through every aspect of the show but he sang a lot more than the Preston Park gig and was fantastic, although I doubt he knew too much about it.

When you go and see acts like this you are going to see a legend, all be it for a nostalgic reason, see them one last time or grabbing the last opportunity to see them for the first time. I'm not expecting perfection, it's the emotional hit I am looking for and I rarely regret it.

Or you could go and see The Stones who amazingly still have it. Simply phenomenal.

Tom Hark Preston Park · Sep 10, 2024

Saw Grace Jones in Preston Park in 2019. Voice as strong as ever. She hula-hooped all the way through 'Slave To the Rhythm' then jumped on the shoulders of a security guard and went weaving through the crowd, never missing a note of 'Private Live'. In 2019, Ms Jones was 71 years old :bowdown:

Hotchilidog · Sep 10, 2024

Tom Hark Preston Park said:
Saw Grace Jones in Preston Park in 2019. Voice as strong as ever. She hula-hooped all the way through 'Slave To the Rhythm' then jumped on the shoulders of a security guard and went weaving through the crowd, never missing a note of 'Private Live'. In 2019, Ms Jones was 71 years old

I was there too. Sensational.

Bakero · Sep 10, 2024

Tom Jones was in Almería this summer. I didn't go myself but friends who did assure me he's still got it.

Wozza · Sep 10, 2024

This is a really interesting video about vocals in the modern age.

At Glastonbury, Dua Lipa was considered great (but blended with backing tracks) while Cyndi Laupa was considered poor (despite hitting some great notes) because she was singing solo.

Basically, old school performers need better tech/production.

Flounce · Sep 10, 2024

These guys still have it too, Blunstone and Argent are both 79

jcdenton08 · Sep 10, 2024

Wozza said:
This is a really interesting video about vocals in the modern age.

At Glastonbury, Dua Lipa was considered great (but blended with backing tracks) while Cyndi Laupa was considered poor (despite hitting some great notes) because she was singing solo.

Basically, old school performers need better tech/production.

This is absolutely true, and it of course depends on the act and what they’re actually doing on stage. I don’t think many people begrudge Britney Spears largely miming her way through a Vegas gig, because the dance choreography is so heavy all you’d hear most the time is heavy breathing.

I think it’s a bit much though to be charging £75 a pop for no actual live singing from the star, such as in Valli’s case. It’s as cynical a cash grab as many consider Oasis’s reunion pricing.

keaton · Sep 10, 2024

schmunk said:
Everyone excited to see Oasis next year...?

Was going to say Liam couldn't sing when I saw him in 2000 and a few years later. I can't imagine his voice has improved

jcdenton08 · Sep 10, 2024

keaton said:
Was going to say Liam couldn't sing when I saw him in 2000 and a few years later. I can't imagine his voice has improved

This is from a couple of weeks ago.

I think he sounds pretty great.

The main issue is if he gets messed up on pills, coke or booze before going on stage.

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[Music] Frankie Valli, Brian Wilson, legends and other “museum acts”

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