I absolutely adored his screenplay of Judy's life he was so eager to do my life story for film, but she [Gloria] wouldn't agree to hire him and that was the end of that. She has also been the spokeswoman for Mental Health America's trauma campaign, as well as an involved worker for the USO and UNICEF. By mid-year, over a million copies had been sold, and Francis was suddenly launched into worldwide stardom. Their romance came to an end soon after and Bobby went on to marry, Bobby had everything: charisma, talent, he was brilliant. First, she missed the opportunity to spend her days with her greatest and first love, the singer Bobby Darin. I was actually afraid to meet him. "Belleville to honor hometown girl, the resilient Connie Francis", Connie Francis Sings Fun Songs for Children, Connie Francis Sings Spanish and Latin American Favorites, Connie Francis Sings Award Winning Motion Picture Hits, Connie Francis and Hank Williams Jr. Connie married her second husband, Izzy Marion, in 1971. [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. We tried to make a home for Izzys two children by his previous marriage, she said. Legal Statement. 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. During the next two years, she recorded a number of mediocre songs. [33][34][35] Francis attempted suicide in 1984.[35]. news.AmoMama.com does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. She had guards around her house. Finally, even when MGM Records decided to sign a contract with her, it was basically because one track she had recorded, "Freddy", happened to be the name of the son of a company co-executive, Harry A. Meyerson, who thought of this song as a nice birthday gift. She was performing in neighborhood festivals and children's talent shows. 319. Details on Recent Surgery, Recovery, Emma Hemming Shares Sweet Video of Bruce Willis Prior to FTD Diagnosis, Montgomery Clift Hated Having to Conceal Parts of His True Self, Regina Taylor Reflects on Most Memorable Roles Amid Emmy Buzz, HGTV's Mika and Brian Kleinschmidt Say Daughter Jade Is Mini-Mika', Suzanne Somers Had to Learn How to Walk After Breaking Her Neck, Dolly Parton Is Always Adding Things to Her Bucket List, Friend Says, L.A. Law's Corbin Bernsen Reveals Success Secret to 34-Year Marriage, Jean Simmons Remembered By Daughter Kate: Im Proud Shes My Mom, Dick Van Dyke Lucked Out Working With Hollywood's Leading Ladies, Bruce Davison On His Career, 1923 Show, Friends and More. Over the following years, she eventually expanded her recording portfolio up to 15 languages. Don told him, Hey dummy, this floozy your latest thing? "There's no doubt about it", predicted Mr. Clark. In late December 2004, Francis headlined in Las Vegas for the first time since 1989. 1 hit songs, iconic movies, Hollywood boyfriends, glamorous gowns and TV appearances on "American Bandstand" and "The Ed Sullivan Show.". In her autobiography, Francis mentioned that in the early years of her career, the language barrier in certain European countries made it difficult for her songs to get airplay, especially in Germany. I had four It was backed by her ninth solo single You, My Darlin You. Photo: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images, Name: Francis, Birth Year: 1938, Birth date: December 12, 1938, Birth State: New Jersey, Birth City: Newark, Birth Country: United States. At At the age of only four years, she made her first performance. Following this success, Francis recorded seven more albums of "favorites" between 1960 and 1964, including Jewish, German, and Irish, among others. [7], Despite these failures, Francis was hired to record the vocals for Tuesday Weld's "singing" scenes in the 1956 movie Rock, Rock, Rock, and for Freda Holloway in the 1957 Warner Brothers rock and roll movie Jamboree. 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. was named one of the Songs of the Century. In the fall of 1957, she enjoyed her first chart success with The Majesty of Love, a duet single with Marvin Rainwater. [50] Francis married TV producer Bob Parkinson in 1985, divorcing later that year. NEWARK, N.J. -- The brother of singer Connie Francis was slain outside his home Friday by two gunmen who stepped from behind a row of bushes and shot him in the head. "Bobby had everything: charisma, talent, he was brilliant. Arranged and conducted by Tony Osborne, the Connie Francis version of the song was a number two hit in the UK, [8] and peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. So to a large degree, I blame myself. All content, including text, and images contained on. Her . He was previously married to Connie Francis. Luckily, it seems that her home wasn't hit by the ruthless hurricane Irma. There was just a clash of personalities.. 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 married four times; but none of them lasted long. Market data provided by Factset. 1972), Joseph Garzilli (m. 1973 div. Francis's first autobiographical book, For Every Young Heart, was published in 1963. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Hawaii Adventures! Tami Richey ONLINE. See also Other Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro Getting Started Contributor Zone Contribute to This Page She and her family moved to Belleville, New Jersey, where Francis graduated as salutatorian from Belleville High School Class of 1955. Despite it all, she considers her personal life a bust. Throughout it all, Francis kept her sense of humor, which helped her tremendously. [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. In 1964, she was briefly married to Dick Kanellis, a press agent and entertainment director for the Aladdin Hotel. Francis attended Newark Arts High School in 1951 and 1952. Several songs from the Who's Happy Now? While the former reached the US Top Ten and peaked at No. was finished, only a few seconds were left on the tape.[7]. American pop singer Connie Francis, circa 1970. The pop icon married her third husband, Joseph Garzilli, in 1973. To this day, it is still Francis's most successful album. [9][10], During this time, Francis continued to perform at neighborhood festivities and talent shows (some of which were broadcast on television), appearing alternately as Concetta Franconero and Connie Franconero. Connie Francis, the 1960s pop icon, turned 85 on Monday, December 12, 2022. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, just one of her other 53 career hits. The Many Tears Ago singer and the Splish Splash crooners relationship was not approved by Connies father. [22][23] Francis recalls this story frequently during the introduction to "God Bless America" at her live concerts. 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. For years after she was assaulted, Francis didn't perform. What would it take to impress you?Francis: A lot! In 1974, Francis was the victim of a brutal rape in her hotel room. 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, the 1960s pop icon, turned 85 on Monday, December 12, 2022. I tried to Now, at 85, Connie looks charming and lives her life to the fullest. Market data provided by Factset. Its a moment Ill never forget. in the September 1991 issue of DISCoveries Magazine, Connie tells 'Jerry 11/6/74: After an appearance at the Westbury Music Fair in New York, she was raped at knifepoint at the Howard Johnson Motel where But I had my own problems and I took my eye off the ball. Two of her songs have al. Upon hearing that . [16] Her father insisted, though, and when the recording "Who's Sorry Now?" Connie Francis at Asser Levy Park, Coney Island on July 30, 2009 in New York City | Source: Getty Images, Although Francis doesn't perform anymore, she still has support from countless fans and family members. Fox News: Do you think your brothers death could have been prevented?Francis: No. Bob worked as a TV producer with two. [17] For the next four years, Francis was voted the "Best Female Vocalist" by American Bandstand viewers. To celebrate, she hosted a magnificent party at her house, inviting everyone she cares about. 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. any recoupment for all the sessions I did. I needed to put humor into my book. Fox411: Beloved singer Connie Francis come forward with a tell-all titled 'Among My Souvenirs,' where she candidly opens up about one of her greatest tragedies. It takes a lot to make a relationship work. He taught her to play instruments from three years old and ensured that he supported her through her career. [41], In December 2017, Francis released her most recent autobiography, Among My Souvenirs.[42]. All Rights Reserved. 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. Fox News: How did you cope with being raped in 1974?Connie Francis: I had a lot of help. She talked about how she was putting her children through another day in hell. However, life goes on for the singer, and she is enjoying her last days out of the spotlight. However, her minor chart success came too late for her record labelFrancis's recording contract consisted of ten solo singles and one duet single. In spite of the success, she was informed by MGM that her contract would not be renewed after her tenth solo recording. She is also known for her literary pursuits and published her first autobiography, Whos Sorry Now? in 1984. Bobby had everything: charisma, talent, he was brilliant. So, what else is new? One year later, the songstress married her fourth husband, Bob Parkinson in 1985. There was no way he could have been saved. adult star in America. 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. 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. He said that there was a mobster in the audience [at his show] with a date. Finally in 1978, she returned to the recording studio to cut her first album in the post MGM era, Whos Happy Now?. To celebrate, she hosted a magnificent party at her house, inviting everyone she cares about. [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]. A German-language solo album was supposed to follow on Herzklang, but despite all songs being recorded and mixed, the album remains unreleased. By then, her popularity has reached its peak in USA and Europe. Star Perdita Weeks' Bikini Photos, See Your Favorite Celebrity Couples in Swimsuits: Best Beach Photos, Meet Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone's Daughters Vivian and Georgette, Pure Sunshine! "She's is headed straight for the number one spot". We raise awareness about these issues to help potential victims seek professional counseling and prevent anyone from getting hurt. Connie Francis first came to limelight with Whos Sorry Now?, cover version of the well-known 1923 song. Her marriage to the hair salon owner was short-lived, ending after 10 months. I began feeling sorry for myself and a bit envious, too. [18], In 1973, Francis returned to the recording studio, cutting "(Should I) Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree? The 80-year-old has chosen to come forward with a tell-all titled Among My Souvenirs, where she candidly opens up about one of her greatest tragedies. Its modest success inspired her to perform once again. We also encourage everyone to report any crime incident they witness as soon as possible. Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero (born December 12, 1937),[2] [7], Growing up in an Italian-Jewish neighborhood, Francis became fluent in Yiddish, which led her later to record songs in Yiddish and Hebrew.[7][8]. I do want to concentrate on things that are vital for me, which are veterans, victims of violent crime and the mentally ill. And if I were in a relationship, I wouldnt be able to do these other things. In spite of her set back on Billboard Hot 100, she remained a top concert draw and continued to top other charts such as Adult Contemporary Chart and Country Chart. I got to meet both of them. In the late 1960s, Francis went to Vietnam to sing for the troops. people I hired to work for me on letters and on foreign releases. 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. Gowns-bills were sent to MGM because I needed them for album covers. For the first few years of her life she lived in a Brooklyn neighbourhood on Utica Avenue/St. 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. It was a happy shock. Brooklyn born Concetta Rosalie Ann Ingolia is of Italian/Sicilian and Irish descent, the daughter of Eleanor McGinley and Teddy Stevens (born Peter Ingolia). 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 1977, she underwent a nasal surgery, which damaged her voice and she had to undergo further surgery and vocal lessons to regain her voice. 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. They The New Jersey native was married four times throughout her career but revealed that her greatest love was her late boyfriend, Bobby Darin. Released in November 1957, Who's Sorry Now? was initially ignored. 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?" He never knew I did that. She shared that their relationship started when they recorded some of her old music as duets. She subsequently sued the hotel chain for failing to [31] "I'm Me Again" became Francis' last single to chart on the AC charts. [51][52], Francis saw Darin only two more times: once when the two were scheduled to sing together for a television show, and again when she was spotlighted on the TV series This Is Your Life. [12][25][26], After her modest success with "(Should I) Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree?" Francis brought a suit alleging that Universal Music Group (UMG) took advantage of her condition and stopped paying royalties. Right there in my living-room, it became Mardi Gras-time, the kick-off at the Super Bowl, and New Year's Eve at the turn of the century! Not one penny. He was a very sweet, sweet man. Despite some disagreement about material, after several weeks Darin and Francis developed a romantic relationship. of it, I didn't have to release it. bought them, and wore them. Francis was all set to quit music and study pre-med at NYU on scholarship when her father convinced her to record a decades-old tune, "Who's Sorry Now." Early in her singing career, she did, however, work with the Jewish . Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider. 5 on Billboard Hot 100, the later peaked at No. I was with Don Rickles and I said, Im outta here. There are ninety-five million females in the country, and I'll bet ninety-five percent of them sing. Connie met Bobby early on in her career and quickly formed a special connection. 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. [22] In March and October 2007, Francis performed to sold-out crowds at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco. But, my personal life was always secondary to my career. She spent some time in a mental hospital for severe depression. Connie Francis recorded "Where the Boys Are" as the theme song for the motion picture Where the Boys Are a 1961 MGM release filmed in 1960 in which Francis made her movie acting debut as one of four coeds on spring break in Fort Lauderdale.. 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]. the Estefans]. In 1963, she published her first book, For Every Young Heart. In 1950, 12-year-old Concetta secured the first place on Arthur Godfrey's Startime Talent Scout as a singer and an accordion player. It says Im a virgin. Frank then said, The only virgins I know in Las Vegas are 4-year-olds and ugly. He did apologize, which is very rare for him. The Portable Italian Mamma: Guilt, Pasta, and When Are You Giving Me Grandchildren? Francis has been married four times. [30] The leading recording on this album was a disco version of "Where the Boys Are". Under the latter name, she also appeared on NBC's variety show Startime Kids between 1953 and 1955. Connie Francis isnt sorry now about sharing her story. And it wasnt. Nevertheless, Francis continued to record singles aimed at the youth-oriented market. She noted in the article that both she and Parton had considered, independently of each other, actress Valerie Bertinelli to play Francis. [56] This suit was also dismissed. I gave up my career for the past eight months while we lived in New Jersey. She was the first woman in history to reach No. is for general information purposes only. And on February 15 of that same year, Francis performed it on the first episode of The Saturday Night Beechnut Show, also hosted by Clark. You can do better than her, cause Ive seen better legs on Sonny Liston. Don said, Connie, the guy said hes gonna break my legs! So I made a phone call because I did have connections. Francis watched the show and wrote in her diary: I heard Dick Clark mention something about a new girl singer. I think it takes a lot to make a relationship successful, I think more than Im willing to give right now. "Freddy", that the co-executive thought would make a good present for his son of the same name. Fox News: Which was the most difficult chapter for you to write and why?Connie Francis: My brothers murder. Her father made a negative comment about Darin finally being out of their lives. She and Garzilli adopted one son. Francis considered a career in medicine and was about to accept a four-year scholarship offered at New York University. The single seemed to go unnoticed like all previous releases, just as Francis had predicted, but on January 1, 1958, it debuted on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. All content, including text, and images contained on news.AmoMama.com, or available through news.AmoMama.com is for general information purposes only. Legal Statement. 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. But soon he realized that his daughter, with her strong and tuneful voice, had even greater potentials. So I tackled those two subjects first. 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. The legendary singer has over 1 million monthly listeners on the platform. Astrological Sign: Sagittarius, Article Title: Connie Francis Biography, Author: Biography.com Editors, Website Name: The Biography.com website, Url: https://www.biography.com/musicians/connie-francis, Publisher: A&E; Television Networks, Last Updated: April 22, 2021, Original Published Date: April 2, 2014. In 1996, Francis released the live album The Return Concert: Live at Trump's Castle. [37] A subsequent compilation album of her biggest German hits in their original versions was also released successfully. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The singer is known for hits such as "Who's Sorry Now? Fox News: How did you and Don Rickles meet?Francis: Don Rickles was the one who taught me how to really laugh. Francis used these reflections as the basis for her April 1960 recording, "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" which would go on to become the first single by a female artist to top the Hot 100. I figure once I got those out of the way, I would be able to concentrate on the lighter aspects of my life. actress wed her first husband, Dick Kanellis, in 1964. The most interesting human being I've ever met in my life.". In 1960, she was named the most popular artist in Europe, the first time a non-European received this honor. [4], In 1960, Francis was recognized as the most successful female artist in Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Australia, and in every other country where records were purchased. Her height is 1.62m tall, and her weight is 54 kg. The mobster was from New Jersey so I knew who to call. [46] In January 1971, she married Izzy Marion, a hair-salon owner, divorcing 10 months later. Eder, Shirley. I didnt grant an interview for seven years. By then, she had also decided to give up singing as a career option and accept a fellowship in radio and television production at the New York University. written by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby. In November 1959, she released another of her hit single, 'Among My Souvenirs'. Francis enjoys the love and support of countless friends, evident in a photo she posted of her and Frankie D'Amelio in 2019. Her father, George Franconero, Sr. was a dockworker and a roof-contractor while her mother, Ida Franconero ne Ferrari-di Vito, was a homemaker. Her lawsuit led to improved security measures throughout the hotel industry. In 1981, her younger brother, a lawyer, was killed in a mafia style attack. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. Original version by Connie Francis Premise. Now", since it was originally written in the 1930s. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. She was drinking a lot of red wine and she said she wanted to escape somewhere, but she didnt know where. Later, Francis was married and divorced four times, and she adopted a son with her third husband. There's a major story there." She called Bobby Darin the love of her life. On February 15, 1958, she sang it on Clarks Saturday Night Beechnut Show. The pair were married for five years before calling it quits in 1978. 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. All Rights Reserved, Please note that this form cannot be used to reset your Google. 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 went through three more operations to regain her singing voice and was unable to sing for four years.[16][22]. MTW 7:00PM- 8:15PM 6/12-7/22. 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. 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.
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