Sedaka then played "Stupid Cupid." got her big break on the music scene with her cover of Whos Sorry Now? The top-selling song led to a career full of incredible successes in the midst of heartache. Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero (born December 12, 1937),[2] Francis's first autobiographical book, For Every Young Heart, was published in 1963. singer has gone through a lot in life. In April 1958, "Who's Sorry Now?" It was not until her number 7 on the US charts, "Many Tears Ago", later in 1960 when Francis began to record cover versions of her own songs in foreign languages besides German. All content, including text, and images contained on. The brother of singer Connie Francis was slain outside - UPI For years after she was assaulted, Francis didn't perform. Connie Francis, byname of Concetta Maria Franconero, (born December 12, 1938, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.), American singer whose recordings in the 1950s and '60s encompassed country, rock and roll, and traditional vocal pop. On July 3 that same year, she played a Royal Command Performance for Queen Elizabeth II at the Alhambra Theatre in Glasgow, Scotland. Connie Francis (center) with her mother, father and brother George. [47][48] In 1973, Francis married for the third time her only marriage to last more than a few months Joseph Garzilli, a restaurateur and travel-agency owner; they divorced in 1977. Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero in Newark, New Jersey, in 1937, Francis changed her name at the suggestion of a TV host. that night on. "She's is headed straight for the number one spot". In 1955, Startime went off the air. [7], During the rehearsals for her appearance on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts in December 1950, Francis was advised by Godfrey to change her stage name to Connie Francis for the sake of easier pronunciation. 319. Connie Francis Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family Life & Achievements The beloved singer, who is recognized as the top-selling female vocalist of the 60s, has enjoyed a lasting career, but her success didnt come without its fair share of heartache. Acting rocketed her into an even higher tier of stardom, but she remarked that she never felt at home on the big screen. Beginning: Level Listeningand Speaking III. After the relative failure of the follow-up singles "I'm Sorry I Made You Cry" (which stalled at No. [7][32], Despite that, she took up live performing again, even gracing the American Bandstand 30th Anniversary Special Episode, and appearing in the town where she had been raped. The crime led to a nervous breakdown, a crumbling marriage and it nearly ended her career. Under the latter name, she also appeared on NBC's variety show Startime Kids between 1953 and 1955. (Courtesy of Connie Francis). [31] "I'm Me Again" became Francis' last single to chart on the AC charts. Connie Francis Very Best Songs Playlist - YouTube The couple had a son named Joseph Garzilli Jr. Singer, composer, actress, entertainer and publisher Connie Francis was [speaking about Hollywood trying to get her thin] I didn't know was finished, only a few seconds were left on the tape.[7]. By the time of the latter's taping, Darin had married actress Sandra Dee. In 1956, she recorded two songs, I Never Had A Sweetheart' and 'Little Blue Wren', for Tuesday Weld in the film Rock, Rock, Rock. Francis considered a career in medicine and was about to accept a four-year scholarship offered at New York University. . In August 1959, she released her third album, My Thanks to You. news.AmoMama.com speaks out against the above mentioned and news.AmoMama.com advocates for a healthy discussion about the instances of violence, abuse, sexual misconduct, animal cruelty, abuse etc. The legendary singer has over 1 million monthly listeners on the platform. I think it takes a lot to make a relationship successful, I think more than Im willing to give right now. But soon he realized that his daughter, with her strong and tuneful voice, had even greater potentials. [17], In 1981, further tragedy struck Francis when her brother, George Franconero, Jr., with whom she was very close, was murdered by Mafia hitmen. Connie Francis net worth 2023: age, height, weight, husband, kids, bio In 1960, she reached the number 1 position on the Billboard Hot 100, first with 'Everybody's Somebody's Fool' and then with 'My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own'. Connie Francis was born into an Italian-American family, and her father always knew that she was destined for stardom. I had four When we pulled up, the valet guy said to Don, Wow Don, shes a beauty. I said, Why thank you! Don responded, The car dummy, the car. He was really the best. Francis' strict Italian father would separate the couple whenever possible. 'Freddy was released in June 1955 as Connies debut single; but it failed to make any mark and was a commercial failure and so were her next eight singles. Marks Avenue) before the family moved to New Jersey. Joseph Garzilli: Where Is Connie Francis' Ex-husband? Also in 1958, MGM Records renewed her contract and in April released her first album, Whos Sorry Now? However, the period of her struggle was not yet over. She later wrote her autobiography, Whos Sorry Now?, in 1984 where she opened up about all of the devastation she has faced in her life. In a 2011 interview, Francis described herself as "a die-hard liberal".[55]. However, life goes on for the singer, and she is enjoying her last days out of the spotlight. She had a younger brother named George Franconero, Jr. George Franconero, Sr. was a natural entertainer, having certain musical ambition, which remained unfulfilled. [13], In the fall of 1957, Francis enjoyed her first chart success with a duet single she had recorded with Marvin Rainwater: "The Majesty of Love", with "You, My Darlin' You" as the B-side, peaked at number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100. Following another idea from her father, Francis traveled to London in August 1959[12] to record an Italian album at EMI's famous Abbey Road Studios. (2017). Her rapist was never found. ", Portrait of Connie Francis, 1960 | Source: Getty Images. Connie Francis opens up about her horrific 1974 rape, Princess Charlotte beams ahead of 8th birthday in new photo taken by mom Kate Middleton, Gisele Bndchen makes first Met Gala appearance after Tom Brady divorce, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson celebrate 35 years of marriage with sweet Instagram post: 'Love is everything', Roman Polanski, 1977 rape victim Samantha Geimer smile for social media snap, Woody Harrelson discusses 'SNL' backlash: 'I dont look at that s---', Brad Fischetti discusses losing former LFO bandmate Brian 'Brizz' Gillis. You can babysit him all night if you want to. So Frank came up and said, Is there a problem Don? Don said, Well you used language that offended her, Frank. [40], In 2010, she also appeared at the Las Vegas Hilton with Dionne Warwick, a show billed as "Eric Floyd's Grand Divas of Stage". Stupid Cupid - Connie Francis 1958 {Stereo} - YouTube Connie Francis was a pop music star in the 1950s and '60s and starred in a number of films aimed at the teen market. Connie Francis ( 16 September 1973 - 1 October 1978) (divorced) (1 child) Trivia (1) Joseph and Connie Francis adopted a son, Joseph Grazilli Jr., born in 1974. Early in her career, she became romantically involved with singer and actor Bobby Darin. paid for every photograph and I kept the photos. In June, she had a double sided hit with Lipstick on Your Collar and Frankie. Bob worked as a TV producer with two IMDb credits from the early 80s in Richard Pryor Here and Now andI Challenge You. She made a name for herself with films including "Where the Boys Are" and "When the Boys Meet the Girls. He had the greatest sense of humor in the world, Connie told, in March 2022. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) Connie Francis' decades-long career was marked by all the glittering things of Hollywood royalty. There are ninety-five million females in the country, and I'll bet ninety-five percent of them sing. The pop icon married her third husband, Joseph Garzilli, in 1973. She started working with songwriters Neil Sedaka and Howie Greenfield, and recorded a string of hits, including "Stupid Cupid," "Lipstick on Your Collar," "Everybody's Somebody's Fool," "My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own" and "Don't Break the Heart That Loves You.". [11], In 1955, Startime Kids went off the air. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider. Bobby had everything: charisma, talent, he was brilliant. Dick was a public relations agent of several hotels in Las Vegas. [5] She was the first woman in history to reach No. Connie /Bety (Ext 2272) NESL 963 50028. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/connie-francis-9130.php. Later the single also sold well. Mamma (song) - Wikipedia Connie Francis' Father Saw the Love of Her Life as a 'Threat - AmoMama Dick Clark introduced the song on his Bandstand TV show in 1958, and it became an immediate hit, selling a million copies less than six months after release. Connie Francis - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia She was performing in neighborhood festivals and children's talent shows. To celebrate, she hosted a magnificent party at her house, inviting everyone she cares about. [22][23] Francis recalls this story frequently during the introduction to "God Bless America" at her live concerts. Keep scrolling to learn more about Connies four marriages. But it did take seven years out of my life. She and her family moved to Belleville, New Jersey, where Francis graduated as salutatorian from Belleville High School Class of 1955. bought them, and wore them. So I tackled those two subjects first. I wanted the writer Robert Freeman who wrote that miniseries Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows, which won I don't know how many Emmy Awards, but Gloria and company were unwilling to hire that writer. The Love Is Me, Love Is You singer explained the reasoning behind their split in an October 1971 interview with the Courier-Post. The incident happened while she appeared at the Westbury Music Fair in New York, on November 8, 1974. PDF PRACTICE ENGLISH IN SAN MARCOS TAKE AN IN -PERSON CLASS Work on a Connie met Bobby early on in her career and quickly formed a special connection. Greenfield urged Sedaka to sing a song they had written that morning with the Shepherd Sisters in mind. George also quickly put an end to Connie's romance, at age 19, with fellow teen singer Bobby Darin. Travel, everything, She had gone there to attend the Westbury Music Fair. Connie was not allowed to date in high school and did not attend her prom. Its modest success inspired her to perform once again. Her last top-40 entry was 'Be Anything (but Be Mine)' (1964). However, the demo tape was rejected by most companies, mainly because Connie was yet to develop a style of her own; she was simply good in copying other stars. She shared that their relationship started when they recorded some of her old music as duets. Francis lost her longtime partner, Tony Ferretti. If I had put as much thought in selecting husbands as I did with Vegas openings, I would have been fine. "'Marigolds' Sends Patient for a Change", "When the Boy in Your Arms (Is the Boy in Your Heart)", learn her foreign language songs phonetically, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree", Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows, "Interview with Connie Francis: The First Lady of Rock and Roll", "Gary James' Interview With Connie Francis", "Rewinding The Charts: In 1960, Connie Francis Became the First Woman to Top the Billboard Hot 100", Leading Ladies: A Look at Women's No. She was afraid you would use the F-word. Frank said, Well I didnt disappoint her, did I? Don said, Dont you see that sign on her forehead? So to a large degree, I blame myself. Despite the heartbreak she faced when her plans to elope with Bobby never came to fruition, Connie found love four other times in her life. #New#Connie FrancisConnie Francis Very Best Songs Playlist - Connie Francis Greatest Hits Full AlbumConnie Francis Very Best Songs Playlist - Connie Francis . Osborne': In an interview published in the September 1991 issue of DISCoveries Therefore, when little Concetta began to show her musical talent, he happily passed his ambition on to her. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. [regarding her version of "God Bless America"] In an interview published Due to changing trends in the early and mid-1960s, namely the British Invasion, Francis's chart success on Billboard's Hot 100 began to wane after 1963. or redistributed. since MGM Records had renewed her contract. [57], Francis also sued the producers of Jawbreaker for using her song "Lollipop Lips," which is heard during a sex scene. He was a very sweet, sweet man. [36] A single, entitled "Jive, Connie", ended up among the top-ten best-selling singles of the year, which brought Francis the prestigious R.SH-Gold award for the "Best Comeback of the Year" from R.SH (short for "Radio Schleswig-Holstein"), back then one of Germany's most important private radio stations. She could be seen wearing a lovely red dress, while D'Amelio wore a white shirt, blue jeans, and sunglasses. Closer Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. I could record where I wanted, however many By the spring of 1958, Whos Sorry Now rose to number 4 on Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on UK Singles Chart. We also encourage everyone to report any crime incident they witness as soon as possible. (qv's & corrections by A. Nonymous). Joseph Garzilli Jr's mother Connie Francis was raped at the Jericho Turnpike Howard Johnson's Lodge in Jericho, New York. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. What would it take to impress you?Francis: A lot! By then, her popularity has reached its peak in USA and Europe. Their romance came to an end soon after and Bobby went on to marry, Bobby had everything: charisma, talent, he was brilliant. Ferretti and Francis specifically focused on the song "You Made Me Love You.". otherwise. Connie Francis first came to limelight with Whos Sorry Now?, cover version of the well-known 1923 song. 5 on Billboard Hot 100, the later peaked at No. There were No. Francis, who turns 80 on December 12, was born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero to solidly Italian-American parents in Newark. I felt so bad for her. I rented out a room in the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas for two weeks to write the chapters on the rape and my brothers murder. that benefits the victims. Following this success, Francis recorded seven more albums of "favorites" between 1960 and 1964, including Jewish, German, and Irish, among others. In Europe, she remained as popular as before and continued to have chart hits in UK, Germany, Italy and Spain. It reached number 2 on Billboard Hot 100. adult star in America. Troyan, Michael; Thompson, Jeffrey Paul; Sylvester, Stephen X. any recoupment for all the sessions I did. Among her other hits are Stupid Cupid, Lipstick on Your Collar, Everybody's Somebody's Fool, My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own, Never on a Sunday, and Don't Break the Heart That Loves You. Market data provided by Factset. But sometime from the middle of 1960s, with the arrival of the Beatles, her chart success on Billboard Hot 100 began to decline. It was backed by her ninth solo single You, My Darlin You. By then, she was tired of uninterrupted recordings, traveling, live shows, and film works and therefore decided not to renew her contract. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The lawsuit was dismissed. Estefan announced that she would produce and play the lead. 1986), Dick Kanellis (m. 1964 div. Darin's manager arranged for him to help write several songs for her. Connie Francis' Ex-Husbands: Details About Her Marriage History He was previously married to Connie Francis. At what was to have been her final recording session for MGM on October 2, 1957, with Joe Lipman and his orchestra,[12] she recorded a cover version of the 1923 song "Who's Sorry Now?" [7] She subsequently sued the motel chain for failing to provide adequate security and reportedly won a $2.5 million judgment,[27] at the time one of the largest such judgments in history, leading to a reform in hotel security. For the first few years of her life she lived in a Brooklyn neighbourhood on Utica Avenue/St. They got married sometime in 1964; but divorced four months later. All along, she continued with her formal education, being enrolled at Newark Arts High School in 1951. Finally Connie signed a contract with MGM Records for ten singles and one duet. I owe a lot to Don Rickles because he made me see humor in things that ordinarily I wouldnt have seen humor in. I had good friends, a family who supported me and my sense of humor But I didnt have the benefit of going to a support group for women who were raped because it would have been in the National Enquirer the following week. In late 1969, her contract with MGM Records ran out. There was no way he could have been saved. [50] Francis married TV producer Bob Parkinson in 1985, divorcing later that year. Connie Francis (born 12 December 1937 in Newark, New Jersey, USA) is an American pop singer best known for international hit songs such as "Who's Sorry Now?," "Where The read more. Connie Francis (center) with her mother, father and brother George. Francis returned to the recording studio in 1981 to cut "Comme ci, comme a", and "I'm Me Again", the latter of which became the title track of an album which featured the aforementioned new songs. she was staying. The Many Tears Ago singer and the Splish Splash crooners relationship was not approved by Connies father. Her father convinced her By then, she had established herself as a child entertainer. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. In her autobiography, Francis stated she and her father were driving into the Lincoln Tunnel when the radio DJ announced Dee and Darin's marriage. Their romance came to an end soon after and Bobby went on to marry Sandra Dee in 1960. Her father made a negative comment about Darin finally being out of their lives. Fame and fortune followed her after her first hit single, but that doesn't mean Francis had an easy life. "Mama," the single taken from the album, reached number 8 in the United States and number 2 in the United Kingdom.[18]. MTW 7:00PM- 8:15PM 6/12-7/22. The Secret Jewish History Of Connie Francis - The Forward There's a major story there." 9. Francis attended Newark Arts High School in 1951 and 1952. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. She starred in four motion pictures, Where the Boys Are (1960), Follow The Boys (1963), Looking For Love (1964) and When The Boys Meet The Girls (1965). She later wrote her autobiography, , in 1984 where she opened up about all of the devastation she has faced in her life. In 1965, Connie Francis participated in that year's edition of the annual San Remo Festival, where her team partner Gigliola Cinquetti and she presented "Ho bisogno di vederti", which finished on number 5 of the final ranking. She was to be followed by other major British and American recording stars including Wanda Jackson, Cliff Richard, Petula Clark, Brenda Lee, the Supremes, Peggy March, Pat Boone, Lesley Gore, the Beatles and Johnny Cash, among many others. 100 Greatest Hits Anthology Connie Francis | Last.fm of it, I didn't have to release it. Although they met only twice after the incident Francis still considers Darin the greatest love of her life. published in 1984, Francis recalls that she was encouraged by her father to appear regularly at talent contests, pageants, and other neighborhood festivities from the age of four as a singer and accordion player. Being born on 12 December 1938, Connie Francis is 84 years old as of today's date 1st May 2023. Where the Boys Are (Connie Francis song) - Wikipedia Her father, George Franconero, Sr. was a dockworker and a roof-contractor while her mother, Ida Franconero ne Ferrari-di Vito, was a homemaker. After she was raped in 1974, Connie Francis sued Jericho Turnpike Howard Johnson's Lodge for failing to provide adequate security, winning $2.5 million in settlement. Birthday: December 12, 1937 (Sagittarius), Born In: Newark, New Jersey, United States, Also Known As: Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero, Spouse/Ex-: Bob Parkinson (m. 1985 div. Fox News: Whats the story behind your famous song Whos Sorry Now?Francis: My father wanted me to record that song for a year and a half and I turned him down. Afterwards, Francis told them that she considered their ballads too intellectual and sophisticated for the young generation and requested a more lively song. Francis watched the show and wrote in her diary: I heard Dick Clark mention something about a new girl singer. After a few hours, Francis began writing in her diary while the songwriters played the last of their ballads. Connie Francis won television's Startime Talent Scouts at age 12 and signed with MGM Records. She performed "Who's Sorry Now" on American Bandstand, and it became an immediate hit. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider. I got to meet both of them. Fox News: Which was the most difficult chapter for you to write and why?Connie Francis: My brothers murder. Connie Francis, US pop singer, waring red-and-white striped trousers and a red t-shirt with her arms outstretched either side of her, in a studio. Connie Francis - Wikipedia She called Bobby Darin the love of her life. They also raised money for recording a four-song demo tape, which they hoped to sell to some well-known recording company. Connie Francis - IMDb During the next two years, she recorded a number of mediocre songs. But when on January 1, 1958, Dick Clark, best remembered for hosting American Bandstand, played the song on his program; its popularity began to rise. They got married in 1971 and divorced ten months later in 1972. actress wed her first husband, Dick Kanellis, in 1964. Connie/Bety (Ext 2272) NESL 962 50026: Beginning. [24] In the US, however, "Time Alone Will Tell", Francis's cover version of San Remo's 1967 winning entry "Non pensare a me" which had been presented by Iva Zanicchi and Claudio Villa, peaked at number 94 on Billboard's Hot 100 and at number 14 on Billboard's AC charts. Even if it wasn't on MGM business, it was paid for. Called the First Lady of Rock & Roll in one headline of a marginal publication,[3] she is estimated to have sold more than 100 million records worldwide. Following a November 1974 performance at the Westbury Music Fair in Westbury, New York, Francis was the victim of a brutal rape and robbery after an intruder broke into her hotel room and held her at knifepoint. ", After becoming the top female vocalist in the country, Francis also starred in a few films throughout the 1960s. Connie Francis - Facebook Lovely, indefatigable Connie Stevens added sparkle to a number of films and TV shows in the late 50s and 60s Hollywood. Later, Francis was married and divorced four times, and she adopted a son with her third husband. Fox News: Was there anything about Judy Garland that surprised you?Francis: Yes, it was the time when she was going through her divorce from Sid Luft. All content, including text, and images contained on news.AmoMama.com, or available through news.AmoMama.com is for general information purposes only. In the same month, she traveled to London, where she recorded her fourth studio album, 'Connie Francis Sings Italian Favorite'. Connie Francis | Biography, Songs, & Facts | Britannica provide adequate security when she learned that a year after the rape [7] Around the same time, Francis took a job as a singer on demonstration records, which brought unreleased songs to the attention of established singers and/or their management who might choose to record them for a professional commercial record. The pair had dated for a year before tying the knot. [58], In 2001, "Who's Sorry Now?" Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Despite her declining success on the Hot 100, Francis remained a top concert draw, and her singles now following a more mature style were charting on the top quarter of Billboard's Adult Contemporary (AC) Charts and sometimes even reached Billboard's Country Charts. The couple were married for 81 days before their relationship headed towards a divorce. She performed "Who's Sorry Now" on American Bandstand, and it. was named one of the Songs of the Century. the Estefans]. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. In the US, Connie Francis had a third number-one hit in 1962: "Don't Break the Heart That Loves You", and her success led MGM to give her complete freedom to choose whichever songs she wanted to record.[11]. The song was also recorded by Connie Francis in 1959 for her album Connie Francis Sings Italian Favorites, with her hit single released in February 1960. To this day, it is still Francis's most successful album. Hence, "Freddy" was released as Francis's first single, which turned out to be a commercial failure, just as her following eight solo singles were. Moreover, she was voted the "Best Female Vocalist" by American Bandstand viewers. I didn't abuse it. Angered, Francis wrote she hoped the Hudson River would fill the Lincoln Tunnel, killing both her and her father; she later wrote that not marrying Darin was the biggest mistake of her life.[7]. [56] This suit was also dismissed. Bob worked as a TV producer with two. Impressed by her singing, Godfrey also suggested that she give up the accordion and concentrate on singing, a suggestion, she happily followed. He wanted the children. The incident threw her into a great depression and for few years, she rarely left her home. He said that there was a mobster in the audience [at his show] with a date. The pop icon married her third husband, Joseph Garzilli, in 1973. In the late 1950s, Connie Francis got her big break on the music scene with her cover of Whos Sorry Now? The top-selling song led to a career full of incredible successes in the midst of heartache. Francis explained in a 1961 television interview that she was fluent in Spanish and Italian, but always had a translator nearby to make sure her translated lyrics and especially her pronunciation were as correct as possible. Sedaka protested that Francis would be insulted, but Greenfield said that since she hated all the other songs they had performed, they had nothing to lose. She mentioned gratefully that her 85th birthday party must have been "the largest gathering of lifelong friends.". 489,228 listeners. I would never want to disappoint the fans who have been so good to me throughout my life.". While appearing at the Westbury Music Fair in New York, on November 8, 1974, Francis was raped at the Jericho Turnpike Howard Johnson's Lodge in Jericho, New York, and nearly suffocated under the weight of a heavy mattress the culprit had thrown upon her. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Connie Francis, performs on stage on a TV show, 1959. She subsequently sued the hotel chain for failing to There was just a clash of personalities.. But here, they didn't take me seriously until