We also encourage everyone to report any crime incident they witness as soon as possible. I had four 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. Connie Francis - Facebook I think had I been in a better frame of mind, had it not been [for] the rape, I would have had more of a handle on what he was doing and I would have prevented him from getting involved with such unsavory people. The success of "Stupid Cupid" restored momentum to Francis' chart career, and she reached the U.S. top 40 an additional eight times during the remainder of the 1950s. Her father convinced her Singer, composer, actress, entertainer and publisher Connie Francis was 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'. We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. There was no way he could have been saved. She was reportedly terrorized for close to three hours at knife-point, raped, and robbed. By the spring of 1958, Whos Sorry Now rose to number 4 on Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on UK Singles Chart. She later wrote her autobiography, , in 1984 where she opened up about all of the devastation she has faced in her life. [58], In 2001, "Who's Sorry Now?" To celebrate, she hosted a magnificent party at her house, inviting everyone she cares about. Francis' new-found success was short-lived, though, as she was diagnosed with manic depression, which again brought her career to a halt, and she was committed to multiple psychiatric hospitals. 36) and "Heartaches" (failing to chart at all), Francis met Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield, who sang a number of ballads they had written for her. They now secured forged identity card for Connie, with which she began to sing at different clubs and lounges. My father said, If I have to nail you to that microphone, youre gonna do Whos Sorry Now. So I did it. The beloved singer, who is recognized as the top-selling female vocalist of the '60s, has enjoyed a lasting career, but her success didn't come without its fair share of heartache. Her father made a negative comment about Darin finally being out of their lives. provide adequate security when she learned that a year after the rape [46] In January 1971, she married Izzy Marion, a hair-salon owner, divorcing 10 months later. Because I knew in five seconds my life would never be the same. All along, she continued with her formal education, being enrolled at Newark Arts High School in 1951. (Courtesy of Connie Francis). 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. It came mainly because one of the tracks was entitled Freddy, which was also the name of the company co-executive, Harry A. Myersons son and he thought that the song would be a good birthday present. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. [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. Therefore, Francis enjoyed lasting chart success in the US until her contract with MGM Records ran out in 1969.[18]. She mentioned gratefully that her 85th birthday party must have been "the largest gathering of lifelong friends.". But there were 16 minutes left. Sedaka then played "Stupid Cupid." After the three-week talent hunt was over, she remained with Startime, performing once a week for four years. 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. First of all, Ive been very unsuccessful in that arena. Fox News spoke with Francis about opening up to fans. [49] It was during the third marriage that Francis adopted a baby boy, Joey. ", b/w "Paint the Rain" on GSF Records. She subsequently sued the hotel chain for failing to [30] The leading recording on this album was a disco version of "Where the Boys Are". anything about speed or diet pills, but they gave me these little red By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. Francis was a hit, both as a singer and actress, but she never really enjoyed being on camera. But it did take seven years out of my life. George also quickly put an end to Connie's romance, at age 19, with fellow teen singer Bobby Darin. I never felt quite the same about anyone the way I still feel about Bobby to this day.. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. On November 8, 1974, she met with a tragedy, being raped and nearly killed by an unknown man in a hotel room in Jericho, New York. Godfrey convinced her to change her real last name to Francis after he had difficulty pronouncing it. [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 two quickly developed a romance, and they stuck with each other until Ferretti's death, and the couple shared a cozy home. 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. [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. [19] Veteran lyricist Ralph Maria Siegel penned a set of German lyrics, named "Die Liebe ist ein seltsames Spiel", which, after some friction between Francis and her MGM executives, was recorded and released. The Secret Jewish History Of Connie Francis - The Forward Gowns-bills were sent to MGM because I needed them for album covers. In late 1969, her contract with MGM Records ran out. Connie Francis celebrated her 85th birthday with "the largest gathering of lifelong friends.". During their marriage, they adopted one son, Joseph Garzilli Jr. Connie took time away from the spotlight to grieve after her brother, George Franconero Jr., was murdered in 1981. All rights reserved. Connie Francis was born on December 12 th 1937 to Ida and George Franconero. Francis has lived in her comfortable house in Florida for the past 21 years, and she'll most likely spend the rest of her days there. The legendary singer has over 1 million monthly listeners on the platform. Connie Francis: her birthday, what she did before fame, her family life, fun trivia facts, popularity rankings, and more. The thing that saved me has been my sense of humor. Her marriage to the hair salon owner was short-lived, ending after 10 months. Troyan, Michael; Thompson, Jeffrey Paul; Sylvester, Stephen X. [31] "I'm Me Again" became Francis' last single to chart on the AC charts. He said, If you dont sing this song sister, the only way youll get on 'American Bandstand' is if you sit on top of the television set. So I did it as the last song. ", After becoming the top female vocalist in the country, Francis also starred in a few films throughout the 1960s. Francis lost her longtime partner, Tony Ferretti. Connie Francis first came to limelight with Whos Sorry Now?, cover version of the well-known 1923 song. Francis was not fluent in all of these languages and she had to learn her foreign language songs phonetically. Connie Francis Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images In 1992, a medley of remixed versions of her biggest German hits charted in Germany. I could pick hit records, but not hit husbands, Connie shared on her official website. Connie Francis's Most Streamed Songs (On Spotify) - YouTube The Washington Post previously reported that in 1974, police found Francis in a Long Island hotel room naked, gagged and tied to an overturned chair. The songwriter died in 1973, but Connie made it clear that he has remained on her mind after all of these years. Finally in 1978, she returned to the recording studio to cut her first album in the post MGM era, Whos Happy Now?. Later, Francis was married and divorced four times, and she adopted a son with her third husband. was finished, only a few seconds were left on the tape.[7]. 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. The duet peaked at number 93 on Billboard's Hot 100. bought them, and wore them. To celebrate, she hosted a magnificent party at her house, inviting everyone she cares about. . "There's no doubt about it", predicted Mr. Clark. In 1989, Francis resumed her recording and performing career again. She is also known for her literary pursuits and published her first autobiography, Whos Sorry Now? in 1984. Through the years, she has performed charity work for organizations such as UNICEF, the USO and CARE. Singing Legend Connie Francis Turned 85 in 2022 She Still Uses On February 15, 1958, she sang it on Clarks Saturday Night Beechnut Show. 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. people I hired to work for me on letters and on foreign releases. She performed "Who's Sorry Now" on American Bandstand, and it became an immediate hit. [59], A "Connie Francis Way" street sign is displayed at the corner of Greylock Parkway and Forest Street in Belleville, New Jersey, near the house in which she grew up.[60]. Connie Francis - Age, Family, Bio | Famous Birthdays .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}Elvis Presleys Family Tree, Freddie Mercurys Exquisite Clutter Up for Sale, Rihanna's Favorite Hair Brand is On 20% Off RN, Inside Marie Antoinette and Chevaliers Friendship, Tupac Shakur, His Mother, and His Song Dear Mama, Joan Baez Sings with Tennessee Rep. Justin Jones, 8 Facts About Son of a Sinner Singer Jelly Roll, Selena Gomez Shares"Transformative" Lip Tint, 16 Musicians and Singers Named Knights or Dames. 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. 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? Add photos, demo reels Add to list More at IMDbPro Contact info Agent info Known for Opposite Corners 5.9 Writer 1997 Credits IMDbPro Writer Previous 1 Opposite Corners Writer 1997 Personal details Spouse Connie Francis September 16, 1973 - October 1, 1978 (divorced, 1 child) Did you know By the time of the latter's taping, Darin had married actress Sandra Dee. Best Known For: Connie Francis was a pop music star in the 1950s and '60s and starred in a number of films aimed at the teen market. [57], Francis also sued the producers of Jawbreaker for using her song "Lollipop Lips," which is heard during a sex scene. There was never Francis began performing regularly again. 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. In April 1958, "Who's Sorry Now?" Connie Francis (center) with her mother, father and brother George. Her last five albums were Was ich bin (1978, German), Im Me Again (1981), Where the Hits Are (1989), 'Jive Connie Connie Francis Party Powe' (1992, German) and The Return Concert Live At Trump's Castle (1996). pills, like Benzedrine, that you can only buy in Mexico now. It affected her very much and her mental equilibrium began to waver. in the September 1991 issue of DISCoveries Magazine, Connie tells 'Jerry MGM released her first recording, "Freddy" because the president of MGM had a son named by the same name. Francis returned to San Remo in 1967 to present "Canta Ragazzina" with her team partner Bobby Solo. She and Garzilli had a son named Joseph Jr. Associated With.