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Front Row: Frankie Valli - frontman of The Four Seasons

Frankie Valli - frontman of The Four Seasons

01/06/2011

BBC Radio 4 - Front Row, Frankie Valli - frontman of The Four Seasons

John Wilson meets Frankie Valli - frontman of The Four Seasons, and novelist Ali Smith.

John Wilson interviews Frankie Valli, frontman of The Four Seasons, and Ali Smith, whose novels Hotel World and The Accidental were shortlisted for the Booker Prize.

With John Wilson. 

Frankie Valli, frontman with The Four Seasons - the band whose story is told in the musical Jersey Boys - discusses hit records such as Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry and Walk Like A Man. He also talks about playing a gangster in the television series The Sopranos, and reveals how a real life mob-boss was 'like a father figure' to him when growing up in New Jersey. 

X-Men: First Class is the latest film in the X-Men franchise, in which young mutants are trained to use their powers for the benefit of humanity. Based on Marvel comics, the film stars James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender. Natalie Haynes reviews. 

Twice shortlisted for the Booker Prize, Ali Smith discusses her new novel, There But For The, in which a dinner guest locks himself in the host's spare bedroom and won't come out for months.

The Government Art Collection includes more than 13 500 works - and for the first time in its 113 year history, it will feature in a public exhibition. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Prime Minister's wife Samantha Cameron and Lord Mandelson are among the selectors for the show. John visits the Collection's store-rooms with the its director, Penny Johnson.

Producer Nicki Paxman

Presenter  JOHN WILSON.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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