The mobster was from New Jersey so I knew who to call. My father said, If I have to nail you to that microphone, youre gonna do Whos Sorry Now. So I did it. 9. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [53], Francis supported Richard Nixon's 1968 bid for the presidency when she recorded a campaign song for him.[54]. Fox News spoke with Francis about opening up to fans. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Francis attended Newark Arts High School in 1951 and 1952. All three albums and the singles culled from them were released on United Artists Records. After the expiry of her contract with MGM Records, Connie Francis lived for some time in semiretirement, returning to the studio in 1973, recording (Should I) Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree?. He rented a whole restaurant to have a dinner party for me in Las Vegas. Her music talent was spotted early in her life and by the age of three she began attending music school for vocal and accordion training and started performing in public by the age of four. 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. [14] Eventually, the single sold over one million copies.[11]. ~ Connie Francis ~ The Official Facebook Page After recovering, she started campaigning for mental well-being, and she was an avid supporter of the American troops. 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. Dick was a public relations agent of several hotels in Las Vegas. This answer song to "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree" by Tony Orlando & Dawn bubbled under the charts. [57], Francis also sued the producers of Jawbreaker for using her song "Lollipop Lips," which is heard during a sex scene. [29], In 1977, Francis underwent nasal surgery and completely lost her voice. So, what else is new? Closer Weekly is part of the a360media Entertainment Group.Copyright a360media 2023. In December 2009 the film project was dropped. Connie Francis, performs on stage on a TV show, 1959. So to a large degree, I blame myself. The pair were married for five years before calling it quits in 1978. [12][25][26], After her modest success with "(Should I) Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree?" 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. The Many Tears Ago singer and the Splish Splash crooners relationship was not approved by Connies father. We tried to make a home for Izzys two children by his previous marriage, she said. He said that there was a mobster in the audience [at his show] with a date. [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]. any recoupment for all the sessions I did. She was very remorseful. I think it takes a lot to make a relationship successful, I think more than Im willing to give right now. 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. The incident happened while she appeared at the Westbury Music Fair in New York, on November 8, 1974. Connie was not allowed to date in high school and did not attend her prom. After Stupid Cupid, Connie Francis continued to churn out hits, recording My Happiness, her childhood favorite, on November 6, 1958. She said, "[Connie Francis] isn't even in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and yet she was the first female pop star worldwide, and has recorded in nine languages. Francis brought a suit alleging that Universal Music Group (UMG) took advantage of her condition and stopped paying royalties. 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. [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. They also raised money for recording a four-song demo tape, which they hoped to sell to some well-known recording company. Connie Francis, the 1960s pop icon, turned 85 on Monday, December 12, 2022. [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. In the 1980s, Ronald Reagan appointed her as head of his task force on violent crime. Stupid Cupid - Connie Francis 1958 {Stereo} Smurfstools Oldies Music Time Machine 12.5K subscribers Subscribe 870K views 2 years ago 1958..#14 U.S. We also encourage everyone to report any crime incident they witness as soon as possible. By then, her popularity has reached its peak in USA and Europe. [11], In 1955, Startime Kids went off the air. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! The Where the Boys Are actress wed her first husband, Dick Kanellis, in 1964. While her singles were mostly kept in the then-current sounds of the day such as rock 'n' roll, novelty songs, the twist, torch ballads, or the girl group sound created by Brill Building alumni Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry, Francis' albums represented her in a variety of styles, ranging from R&B, vocal jazz, and country to Broadway standards, children's music, waltzes, spiritual music, schlager music, traditionals from various ethnic groups represented in the US, and select songs from popular songwriters of the day, such as Burt Bacharach and Hal David, or Les Reed. [39] She appeared in concert in Manila, Philippines, on Valentine's Day 2008. A 5-year-old child went missing in Dublin, Va., in spring 2015. Because I knew in five seconds my life would never be the same. songs I wanted, in whatever country, in whatever language, with Connie/Bety (Ext 2272) NESL 962 50026: Beginning. She had guards around her house. Together, they made a double sided hit with Stupid Cupid peaking at number 14 on Billboard Hot 100. 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. Darin's manager arranged for him to help write several songs for her. [7] The song peaked at number 1 in West Germany. Among her top-ten hits on the Hot 100 were "Breakin' in a Brand New Broken Heart" (1961, number 7), "When the Boy in Your Arms (Is the Boy in Your Heart)" (1961, number 10), "Second Hand Love" (1962, number 7), and "Where the Boys Are" (1961, number 4). She had a younger brother named George Franconero, Jr. George Franconero, Sr. was a natural entertainer, having certain musical ambition, which remained unfulfilled. One year later, the songstress married her fourth husband, Bob Parkinson in 1985. Throughout it all, Francis kept her sense of humor, which helped her tremendously. Fox News: How did you cope with being raped in 1974?Connie Francis: I had a lot of help. First, she missed the opportunity to spend her days with her greatest and first love, the singer Bobby Darin. However, the case had a much bigger impact, leading to a reform in hotel security. Singer, composer, actress, entertainer and publisher Connie Francis was educated at Arts High School and was a music student of her father. The project of recording a German version, though, remained unfinished. "Mama," the single taken from the album, reached number 8 in the United States and number 2 in the United Kingdom.[18]. Its like when you play poker: If you know you have a losing hand, you simply fold.. When her father learned that Darin had suggested the two elope after one of her shows, he ran Darin out of the building at gunpoint. And he cooperated with the government for three years. Marks Avenue) before the family moved to New Jersey. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. But here, they didn't take me seriously until [53], In the same article, Francis said that Dolly Parton had been contacting her for years trying to produce her life story, but owing to her previous commitment to Estefan's organization, she was not able to accept Parton's offer. From mid-1961 to mid-1963, Radio Luxembourg closed each day's broadcasts with "It's Time to Say Goodnight", a song Francis had recorded especially for this purpose and which was never officially released until 1996.[21]. 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. 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. 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. Connie Francis first came to limelight with Whos Sorry Now?, cover version of the well-known 1923 song. What Shows Have Been Renewed or Canceled? Fox News: How did you manage to save Dons life?Francis:He came to me petrified. All Rights Reserved. In 1978, Francis returned to the recording studio to cut an album titled Who's Happy Now? I never felt quite the same about anyone the way I still feel about Bobby to this day.. 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. [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. If I had put as much thought in selecting husbands as I did with Vegas openings, I would have been fine. During their marriage, they adopted one son, Fun Facts About Marie Osmond and Steve Craigs Love Story. 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. Connie Francis was born on December 12 th 1937 to Ida and George Franconero. She also said the support of her fans helped her stay hopeful. I owe a lot to Don Rickles because he made me see humor in things that ordinarily I wouldnt have seen humor in. Don told him, Hey dummy, this floozy your latest thing? We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. in the September 1991 issue of DISCoveries Magazine, Connie tells 'Jerry Desperate, she now began to look for her next hit and found it in Stupid Cupid, written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield. He had the greatest sense of humor in the world, Connie told, in March 2022. [7], As Connie Francis explains at each of her concerts, she began searching for a new hit immediately after the success of "Who's Sorry Now?" In 1963, she published her first book, For Every Young Heart. does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. age 11 she appeared on, - IMDb Mini Biography By: Hup234! 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." Lovely, indefatigable Connie Stevens added sparkle to a number of films and TV shows in the late 50s and 60s Hollywood. 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 Later the single also sold well. Connie Francis (center) with her mother, father and brother George. Beginning: Level Listeningand Speaking III. In June, she had a double sided hit with Lipstick on Your Collar and Frankie. Francis was unable to sing for years after her attack, but slowly recovered until she was again able to tour in the early 1990s. Singer and actress Connie Francis was born Concetta Franconero, on December 12, 1938 (some sources say 1937), in Newark, New Jersey. On October 2, 1957, Connie Francis recorded a cover version of the 1923 song Who's Sorry Now? at her fathers insistence, who believed that with modern beat, the song would appeal to both the generations. [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". I tried to 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. Francis was a hit, both as a singer and actress, but she never really enjoyed being on camera. 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. Connie took time away from the spotlight to grieve after her brother, George Franconero Jr., was murdered in 1981. Frank invited me to a party. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Her marriage to the hair salon owner was short-lived, ending after 10 months. I was actually afraid to meet him. (qv's & corrections by A. Nonymous). Under the latter name, she also appeared on NBC's variety show Startime Kids between 1953 and 1955. She had her final top-ten hit, "Vacation", in 1962. In 1992, a medley of remixed versions of her biggest German hits charted in Germany. Francis has said that she recorded it at the insistence of her father, who was convinced it stood a chance of becoming a hit because it was a song adults already knew and that teenagers would dance to if it had a contemporary arrangement. I didnt sing for seven years. 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]. Meet 'The View' Host Whoopi Goldberg's 3 Ex-Husbands. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Dick was a public relations agent of several hotels in Las Vegas.

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