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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Connie Francis was the voice of a generation and the soundtrack of post-war America
Connie Francis dominated the music charts in the late 1950s and early 1960s with hits like Stupid Cupid, Pretty Little Baby and Don't Break the Heart That Loves You. The pop star, author and actor has died at 87, and will be remembered for recording the soundtrack songs of post-World War II America. An early life of music Francis was born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero in Newark, New Jersey, to Italian immigrant parents. At a very early age, Francis was encouraged to take accordion and singing lessons, compete in talent shows, and later she would perform occasionally on the children's production Star Time Kids on NBC, remaining there until she was 17. Within these early recordings you can hear her style begin to develop: her tone, great pitching, her versatility in vocal range. Her vocal delivery is technically controlled and stylistically structured, often nuanced – and even at this early stage demonstrating such power coupled with an adaptability for a broad range of repertoire. At 17, Francis signed a contract with MGM Records. One of her early recordings was the song Who's Sorry Now?, written by Ted Snyder with lyrics by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby in 1923. Her version was released in 1957 and struggled to get noticed. The following year, Francis appeared with the ballad on American Bandstand. This performance exposed Francis' talent for interpretation and her ability to bridge the teen and adult fanbase. The song would become a hit. It's useful to listen to the original version to gain more insight into Francis' vocal approach and styling. The original is an instrumental song of its time, with light whimsical call and response motives in a foxtrot feel. But in Francis' version, she demonstrates her ability to revitalise a late 1950s pop music aesthetic. In an emotional delivery she croons her own rendition, with the country styling elements of Patsy Cline. The voice of a generation Following Who's Sorry Now?, Stupid Cupid (1958), Where The Boys Are (1960, the titular song of a feature film starring Francis) and Lipstick on Your Collar (1959) became the soundtrack songs of post-war America. Francis was supported with songs penned by the some of the best songwriters from the Brill Building, a creative collective in Manhattan that housed professional songwriters, working with staff writers Edna Lewis and George Goehring. In 1960, Francis released her hit Everybody's Somebody's Fool written by Jack Keller and Howard Greenfield. It was a teeny-bopper classic, and she became the first women to top the Billboard Hot 100. Styled after some of the other greats of the time – such as Frank Sinatra (1915–98), Dean Martin (1917–95) and Louis Prima (1910–70) – Francis' performance on the Ed Sullivan show highlighted her connection to her Italian heritage and ability to draw from a broad repertoire. On the show, she performed Mama and La Paloma. Each performance is very carefully styled, a thoughtful approach to dynamics, sung in both English and Italian. Don't Break the Heart That Loves You, a number one hit from 1962, features Francis' gorgeous crooning harmonies. Then, the song breaks down into an earnest spoken part and finishes with a powerful belted vocal part of long notes. The song is full of confidence and hope. Away from the microphone Francis had two key roles in films, starring in Where the Boys Are (1960) and the comedy Follow the Boys (1963). She was an author of two books. The second, Who's Sorry Now?, became a New York Times bestseller. Francis was involved with humanitarian causes. She was particularly involved with Women Against Rape, following her own violent rape in 1974, and the Valour Victims Assistance Legal Organisation, dedicated to supporting the legal rights of crime victims. A lesser known song in her repertoire, fitting to include here, is her version of Born Free from 1968. As a singer, Francis worked at her craft and transitioned effortlessly from one genre to another, performing for over five decades. She will be remembered as a trailblazing solo artist, leaving a strong legacy in popular music culture. She was the voice of one generation when she was a star. And in her final year she became the voice of a new generation as Pretty Little Baby, released in 1962, went viral on TikTok, with more than 1.4 million videos using her voice to share stories of their lives. This article is republished from The Conversation. It was written by: Leigh Carriage, Southern Cross University Read more: I created a Vivaldi-inspired sound artwork for the Venice Biennale. The star of the show is an endangered bush-cricket From Sister Rosetta Tharpe to Ronnie Yoshiko Fujiyama: how electric guitarists challenge expectations of gender Muhammadu Buhari: Nigeria's military leader turned democratic president leaves a mixed legacy Leigh Carriage does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Yomiuri Shimbun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Connie Francis, Whose Hit Songs Included ‘Who's Sorry Now?' and ‘Pretty Little Baby,' Dies at 87
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Connie Francis, the wholesome pop star of the 1950s and '60s whose hits included 'Pretty Little Baby' and 'Who's Sorry Now?' — the latter would serve as an ironic title for a personal life filled with heartbreak and tragedy — has died at age 87. Radio DJ Bruce 'Cousin Brucie' Morrow, a longtime friend, told The Associated Press that she died Wednesday at a hospital in Florida, the state where she had lived for years. Morrow did not cite a specific cause of death, but Francis had posted on social media earlier this month that she had been hospitalized with 'extreme pain.' Francis had gained renewed attention in recent months after 'Pretty Little Baby' became a sensation on TikTok, with Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner among the many celebrities citing it. 'I'm flabbergasted and excited about the huge buzz my 1962 recording of 'Pretty Little Baby' is making all over the world,' she said in a video on TikTok, which she had joined in response to the song's unexpected revival. 'To think that a song I recorded 63 years ago is captivating new generations of audiences is truly overwhelming for me.' Francis was a top performer of the pre-Beatles era, rarely out of the charts from 1957-64. Able to appeal to both young people and adults, she had more than a dozen Top 20 hits, starting with 'Who's Sorry Now?' and including the No. 1 songs 'Don't Break the Heart That Loves You' and 'The Heart Has a Mind of Its Own.' Like other teen favorites of her time, she also starred in several films, including 'Where the Boys Are' and 'Follow the Boys.' The dark-haired singer was just 17 when she signed a contract with MGM Records following appearances on several TV variety shows. Her earliest recordings attracted little attention, but then she released her version of 'Who's Sorry Now?' an old ballad by Ted Snyder, Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby. It, too, had little success initially until Dick Clark played it on his 'American Bandstand' show in 1958. Clark featured her repeatedly on 'American Bandstand,' and she said in later years that without his support, she would have abandoned her music career. Francis followed with such teen hits as 'Stupid Cupid,' 'Everybody's Somebody's Fool' and 'Lipstick on Your Collar.' Her records became hits worldwide as she re-recorded versions of her original songs in Italian and Spanish, among other languages. Her concerts around the country quickly sold out. Meanwhile, a romance bloomed with fellow teen idol Bobby Darin, who had volunteered to write songs for her. But when her father heard rumors that the pair was planning a wedding, he stormed into a rehearsal and pulled a gun on Darin, ending their relationship and seeming to set Francis on a pained and traumatic path. She chronicled some of it in her autobiography, 'Who's Sorry Now?' 'My personal life is a regret from A to Z,' she told The Associated Press in 1984, the year the book came out. 'I realized I had allowed my father to exert too much influence over me.' Her father, George Franconero, was a roofing contractor from New Jersey who played the accordion. She was just 3 when her father presented her with a child-size accordion, as soon as she began to show an aptitude for music. When she was 4, he began booking singing dates for her, going on to become her manager. Although her acting career had faded by the mid-1960s, Francis was still popular on the concert circuit when she appeared at the Westbury Music Fair in Westbury, New York, in 1974. She had returned to her hotel room and was asleep when a man broke in and raped her at knifepoint. He was never captured. Francis sued the hotel, alleging its security was faulty, and a jury awarded her $2.5 million in 1976. The two sides then settled out of court for $1,475,000 as an appeal was pending. She said the attack destroyed her marriage and put her through years of emotional turmoil. She suffered tragedy in 1981 when her brother George was shot to death as he was leaving his New Jersey home. Later that decade, her father had her committed to a psychiatric hospital, where she was diagnosed as manic-depressive. At one point, she tried to kill herself by swallowing dozens of sleeping tablets. After three days in a coma, she recovered. Around that time, she wrote to President Ronald Reagan and volunteered to help others, calling herself ″America's most famous crime victim.″ Reagan appointed her to a task force on violent crime. ″I don't want people to feel sorry for me,″ she told The New York Times in 1981. ″I have my voice, a gift from God I took for granted before. He gave it back to me.″ She was married four times and would say that only her third husband, Joseph Garzilli, was worth the trouble. The other marriages each lasted less than a year. Concetta Rosemarie Franconero was born on Dec. 12, 1937, in Newark, New Jersey. At age 9 she began appearing on television programs, including 'Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts' and 'The Perry Como Show.' It was Godfrey who suggested she shorten her last name.
1News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- 1News
Connie Francis, Pretty Little Baby singer and actress, dies aged 87
Connie Francis, the wholesome pop star of the 1950s and '60s whose hits included Pretty Little Baby and Who's Sorry Now? — the latter would serve as an ironic title for a personal life filled with heartbreak and tragedy — has died at age 87. Her death was announced Thursday by her friend and publicist, Ron Roberts, who did not immediately provide additional details. Earlier this month, Francis posted that she had been hospitalised with "extreme pain". Francis had gained renewed attention in recent months after Pretty Little Baby became a sensation on TikTok, with Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner among the many celebrities citing it. "I'm flabbergasted and excited about the huge buzz my 1962 recording of Pretty Little Baby is making all over the world," she said in a video on TikTok, which she had joined in response to the song's unexpected revival. "To think that a song I recorded 63 years ago is captivating new generations of audiences is truly overwhelming for me." Francis was a top performer of the pre-Beatles era, rarely out of the charts from 1957-64. Able to appeal to both young people and adults, she had more than a dozen Top 20 hits, starting with Who's Sorry Now? and including the No. 1 songs Don't Break the Heart That Loves You and The Heart Has a Mind of Its Own. Like other teen favourites of her time, she also starred in several films, including Where the Boys Are and Follow the Boys. The dark-haired singer was just 17 when she signed a contract with MGM Records following appearances on several TV variety shows. Her earliest recordings attracted little attention, but then she released her version of Who's Sorry Now? an old ballad by Ted Snyder, Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby. ADVERTISEMENT It, too, had little success initially until Dick Clark played it on his American Bandstand show in 1958. Clark featured her repeatedly on American Bandstand, and she said in later years that without his support, she would have abandoned her music career. Dick Clark, host of American Bandstand, left, appears with Connie Francis during taping of the show in Los Angeles in 1980. (Source: Associated Press) Francis followed with such teen hits as Stupid Cupid, Everybody's Somebody's Fool and Lipstick on Your Collar. Her records became hits worldwide as she re-recorded versions of her original songs in Italian and Spanish, among other languages. Her concerts around the country quickly sold out. Meanwhile, a romance bloomed with fellow teen idol Bobby Darin, who had volunteered to write songs for her. But when her father heard rumours that the pair was planning a wedding, he stormed into a rehearsal and pulled a gun on Darin, ending their relationship and seeming to set Francis on a pained and traumatic path. She chronicled some of it in her autobiography, Who's Sorry Now? "My personal life is a regret from A to Z," she told The Associated Press in 1984, the year the book came out. "I realised I had allowed my father to exert too much influence over me". Her father, George Franconero, was a roofing contractor from New Jersey who played the accordion. She was just 3 when her father presented her with a child-size accordion, as soon as she began to show an aptitude for music. When she was 4, he began booking singing dates for her, going on to become her manager. ADVERTISEMENT Although her acting career had faded by the mid-1960s, Francis was still popular on the concert circuit when she appeared at the Westbury Music Center in Westbury, New York, in 1974. She had returned to her hotel room and was asleep when a man broke in and raped her at knifepoint. He was never captured. Francis sued the hotel, alleging its security was faulty, and a jury awarded her $2.5 million (NZ$4.2 million) in 1976. The two sides then settled out of court for US$1,475,000 (NZ$2,486,974) as an appeal was pending. She said the attack destroyed her marriage and put her through years of emotional turmoil. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including a Wellington house fire, the UK lowers the voting age, and the Obamas joke about divorce rumours. (Source: 1News) She suffered tragedy in 1981 when her brother George was shot to death as he was leaving his New Jersey home. Later that decade, her father had her committed to a psychiatric hospital, where she was diagnosed as manic-depressive. At one point, she tried to kill herself by swallowing dozens of sleeping tablets. After three days in a coma, she recovered. Around that time, she wrote to President Ronald Reagan and volunteered to help others, calling herself ″America's most famous crime victim". Reagan appointed her to a task force on violent crime. ″I don't want people to feel sorry for me,″ she told The New York Times in 1981. ″I have my voice, a gift from God I took for granted before. He gave it back to me.″ She was married four times and would say that only her third husband, Joseph Garzilli, was worth the trouble. The other marriages each lasted less than a year. ADVERTISEMENT Concetta Rosemarie Franconero was born on December 12, 1937, in Newark, New Jersey. At age 9 she began appearing on television programs, including Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts and The Perry Como Show. It was Godfrey who suggested she shorten her last name.
Japan Today
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Connie Francis, whose hit songs included 'Who's Sorry Now?' and 'Pretty Little Baby,' dies at 87
Singer Connie Francis performs during the dress rehearsal of the German TV show "Summer Party of Folk Music" in Magdeburg, eastern Germany, on June 5, 2004. By BOB THOMAS Connie Francis, the wholesome pop star of the 1950s and '60s whose hits included 'Pretty Little Baby' and 'Who's Sorry Now?' — the latter would serve as an ironic title for a personal life filled with heartbreak and tragedy — has died at age 87. Her death was announced Thursday by her friend and publicist, Ron Roberts, who did not immediately provide additional details. Earlier this month, Francis posted that she had been hospitalized with 'extreme pain.' Francis had gained renewed attention in recent months after 'Pretty Little Baby' became a sensation on TikTok, with Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner among the many celebrities citing it. 'I'm flabbergasted and excited about the huge buzz my 1962 recording of 'Pretty Little Baby' is making all over the world,' she said in a video on TikTok, which she had joined in response to the song's unexpected revival. 'To think that a song I recorded 63 years ago is captivating new generations of audiences is truly overwhelming for me.' Francis was a top performer of the pre-Beatles era, rarely out of the charts from 1957-64. Able to appeal to both young people and adults, she had more than a dozen Top 20 hits, starting with 'Who's Sorry Now?' and including the No. 1 songs 'Don't Break the Heart That Loves You' and 'The Heart Has a Mind of Its Own.' Like other teen favorites of her time, she also starred in several films, including 'Where the Boys Are' and 'Follow the Boys.' The dark-haired singer was just 17 when she signed a contract with MGM Records following appearances on several TV variety shows. Her earliest recordings attracted little attention, but then she released her version of 'Who's Sorry Now?' an old ballad by Ted Snyder, Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby. It, too, had little success initially until Dick Clark played it on his 'American Bandstand' show in 1958. Clark featured her repeatedly on 'American Bandstand,' and she said in later years that without his support, she would have abandoned her music career. Francis followed with such teen hits as 'Stupid Cupid,' 'Everybody's Somebody's Fool' and 'Lipstick on Your Collar.' Her records became hits worldwide as she re-recorded versions of her original songs in Italian and Spanish, among other languages. Her concerts around the country quickly sold out. Meanwhile, a romance bloomed with fellow teen idol Bobby Darin, who had volunteered to write songs for her. But when her father heard rumors that the pair was planning a wedding, he stormed into a rehearsal and pulled a gun on Darin, ending their relationship and seeming to set Francis on a pained and traumatic path. She chronicled some of it in her autobiography, 'Who's Sorry Now?' 'My personal life is a regret from A to Z,' she told The Associated Press in 1984, the year the book came out. 'I realized I had allowed my father to exert too much influence over me.' Her father, George Franconero, was a roofing contractor from New Jersey who played the accordion. She was just 3 when her father presented her with a child-size accordion, as soon as she began to show an aptitude for music. When she was 4, he began booking singing dates for her, going on to become her manager. Although her acting career had faded by the mid-1960s, Francis was still popular on the concert circuit when she appeared at the Westbury Music Center in Westbury, New York, in 1974. She had returned to her hotel room and was asleep when a man broke in and raped her at knifepoint. He was never captured. Francis sued the hotel, alleging its security was faulty, and a jury awarded her $2.5 million in 1976. The two sides then settled out of court for $1,475,000 as an appeal was pending. She said the attack destroyed her marriage and put her through years of emotional turmoil. She suffered tragedy in 1981 when her brother George was shot to death as he was leaving his New Jersey home. Later that decade, her father had her committed to a psychiatric hospital, where she was diagnosed as manic-depressive. At one point, she tried to kill herself by swallowing dozens of sleeping tablets. After three days in a coma, she recovered. Around that time, she wrote to President Ronald Reagan and volunteered to help others, calling herself ″America's most famous crime victim.″ Reagan appointed her to a task force on violent crime. ″I don't want people to feel sorry for me,″ she told The New York Times in 1981. ″I have my voice, a gift from God I took for granted before. He gave it back to me.″ She was married four times and would say that only her third husband, Joseph Garzilli, was worth the trouble. The other marriages each lasted less than a year. Concetta Rosemarie Franconero was born on Dec. 12, 1937, in Newark, New Jersey. At age 9 she began appearing on television programs, including 'Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts' and 'The Perry Como Show.' It was Godfrey who suggested she shorten her last name. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Arab Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Arab Times
Connie Francis, ‘Who's Sorry Now?' singer, dies at 87
LOS ANGELES, July 17, (AP): Connie Francis, the wholesome pop star of the 1950s and '60s whose hits include "Pretty Little Baby' and "Who's Sorry Now?' - the latter that would later serve as an ironic title for a personal life filled with heartbreak and tragedy - has died at age 87. Her death was announced Thursday by her friend and publicist, Ron Roberts, who did not immediately provide additional details. Francis was a top performer of the pre-Beatles era, rarely off the charts from 1957-64. Able to appeal to both young people and adults, she had more than a dozen Top 20 hits, starting with "Who's Sorry Now?' and including the No. 1 songs "Don't Break the Heart That Loves You' and "The Heart Has a Mind of Its Own.' Like other teen favorites of her time, she also starred in several films, including "Where the Boys Are' and "Follow the Boys.' The dark-haired singer was just 17 when she signed a contract with MGM Records following appearances on several TV variety shows. Her earliest recordings attracted little attention, but then she released her version of "Who's Sorry Now?' an old ballad by Ted Snyder, Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby. It, too, had little success initially until Dick Clark played it on his "American Bandstand' show in 1958. Clark featured her repeatedly on "American Bandstand,' and she said in later years that without his support, she would have abandoned her music career. Francis followed with such teen hits as "Stupid Cupid,' "Everybody's Somebody's Fool' and "Lipstick on Your Collar.' Her records became hits worldwide as she re-recorded versions of her original songs in Italian and Spanish, among other languages. Her concerts around the country quickly sold out. Meanwhile, a romance bloomed with fellow teen idol Bobby Darin, who had volunteered to write songs for her. But when her father heard rumors that the pair was planning a wedding, he stormed into a rehearsal and pulled a gun on Darin, ending their relationship and seeming to set Francis on a pained and traumatic path. She chronicled some of it in her autobiography, "Who's Sorry Now?' "My personal life is a regret from A to Z,' she told The Associated Press in 1984, the year the book came out. "I realized I had allowed my father to exert too much influence over me.' Her father, George Franconero, was a roofing contractor from New Jersey who played the accordion. She was just 3 when her father presented her with a child-size accordion, as soon as she began to show an aptitude for music. When she was 4, he began booking singing dates for her, going on to become her manager. Although her acting career had faded by the mid-1960s, Francis was still popular on the concert circuit when she appeared at the Westbury Music Center in Westbury, New York, in 1974. She had returned to her hotel room and was asleep when a man broke in and raped her at knifepoint. He was never captured. Francis sued the hotel, alleging its security was faulty, and a jury awarded her $2.5 million in 1976. The two sides then settled out of court for $1,475,000 as an appeal was pending. She said the attack destroyed her marriage and put her through years of emotional turmoil. She suffered tragedy in 1981 when her brother George was shot to death as he was leaving his New Jersey home. Later that decade, her father had her committed to a psychiatric hospital, where she was diagnosed as manic-depressive. At one point she attempted suicide by swallowing dozens of sleeping tablets. After three days in a coma, she recovered. She was married four times and would say that only her third husband, Joseph Garzilli, was worth the trouble. The other marriages each lasted less than a year. Concetta Rosemarie Franconero was born on Dec. 12, 1937, in Newark, New Jersey. At age 9 she began appearing on television programs, including "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts' and "The Perry Como Show.' It was Godfrey who suggested she shorten her last name. Francis experienced a resurgence this year, when "Pretty Little Baby' became a popular song on TikTok, something that left her "flabbergasted and excited' and inspired her to join TikTok herself. "To think that a song I recorded 63 years ago is captivating new generations and audiences is truly overwhelming for me,' she said in her own post in early June.
