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pills, like Benzedrine, that you can only buy in Mexico now. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) Connie Francis' decades-long career was marked by all the glittering things of Hollywood royalty. However, her dominating father disapproved of the match and almost drove away Darin at a gun point. 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. In Europe, she remained as popular as before and continued to have chart hits in UK, Germany, Italy and Spain. I didnt sing for seven years. [11] Titled Connie Francis Sings Italian Favorites, the album was released in November 1959. Her lawsuit led to improved security measures throughout the hotel industry. When his body was discovered days later in the family's septic tank, the mother was put on trial both by the court system, as well . [33][34][35] Francis attempted suicide in 1984.[35]. All rights reserved. Being born on 12 December 1938, Connie Francis is 84 years old as of today's date 1st May 2023. So I tackled those two subjects first. However, it was Vacation, a song recorded on July 18, 1962, that brought her the final Top Ten Hit. 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. 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. 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. In 1964, she was briefly married to Dick Kanellis, a press agent and entertainment director for the Aladdin Hotel. 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. It soon entered the album charts where it remained for 81 weeks, peaking at number 4. ", Portrait of Connie Francis, 1960 | Source: Getty Images. Francis was unable to sing for years after her attack, but slowly recovered until she was again able to tour in the early 1990s. It was during this period that she changed her stage name to Connie Francis on the advice of Godfrey, who found it difficult to pronounce Franconero. After recovering, she started campaigning for mental well-being, and she was an avid supporter of the American troops. It was a happy shock. According to Francis: They chose to use amateur writers to write the screenplay. See 'Magnum P.I.' 489,228 listeners. [11], In 1955, Startime Kids went off the air. MGM released her first recording, "Freddy" because the president of MGM had a son named by the same name. In late 1969, her contract with MGM Records ran out. The ex-wife of Joseph, Connie Francis is a top-charting female vocalist of the late 1950s and early 1960s. [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. 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]. After she had success with recording an album in another . For Malaco Records, Francis recorded a double album entitled Where the Hits Are, containing re-recordings of 18 of her biggest hits, as well as six classics of yesteryear Francis had always wanted to record such as "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" educated at Arts High School and was a music student of her father. . [22][23] Francis recalls this story frequently during the introduction to "God Bless America" at her live concerts. MTW 7:00PM- 8:15PM 6/12-7/22. In 1959, she gained two gold records for a double-sided hit: on the A-side, "Lipstick on Your Collar" (number 5), and on the B-side, "Frankie" (number 9). She had guards around her house. She was subsequently raised by her grandparents when her mother and father (a . 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. 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. [16] Her father insisted, though, and when the recording "Who's Sorry Now?" 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. in the September 1991 issue of DISCoveries Magazine, Connie tells 'Jerry Estefan announced that she would produce and play the lead. Another girl singer. But here, they didn't take me seriously until 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. Her father convinced her 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. I stretched the other songs before I got to Whos Sorry Now so there wouldnt be time. (Courtesy of Connie Francis). Its like when you play poker: If you know you have a losing hand, you simply fold.. Their romance came to an end soon after and Bobby went on to marry, Bobby had everything: charisma, talent, he was brilliant. The Where the Boys Are actress wed her first husband, Dick Kanellis, in 1964. Market data provided by Factset. 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? Connie /Bety (Ext 2272) NESL 963 50028. [17] The last became her signature tune and was also the theme song of Francis's first motion picture of the same name. At age 11 she appeared on Arthur Godfrey 's Talent Scouts (1948) as a singer and accordionist. On the B-side was You Were Only Foolin' (While I Was Fallin' in Love). 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. [15], Francis, who did not like the song and had been arguing about it with her father heatedly, delayed the recording of the two other songs during the session so much that, in her opinion, no time was left on the continuously running recording tape. But sometime from the middle of 1960s, with the arrival of the Beatles, her chart success on Billboard Hot 100 began to decline. He had the greatest sense of humor in the world, Connie told Closer in March 2022. [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. She had gone there to attend the Westbury Music Fair. For the first few years of her life she lived in a Brooklyn neighbourhood on Utica Avenue/St. However, the case had a much bigger impact, leading to a reform in hotel security. George also quickly put an end to Connie's romance, at age 19, with fellow teen singer Bobby Darin. 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. Their romance came to an end soon after and Bobby went on to marry Sandra Dee in 1960. [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]. In 1963, she published her first book, For Every Young Heart. Fox News: How did you and Don Rickles meet?Francis: Don Rickles was the one who taught me how to really laugh. MTW 9:00AM- 10:15AM 6/12-7/22: Rosalba Bolwin (Ext 2272) NESL 964 50027 Intermediate Level Listening and . There was just no way when it was made public. Connie Francis, performs on stage on a TV show, 1959. 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. I was actually afraid to meet him. 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. They Actress: Hawaiian Eye. I began feeling sorry for myself and a bit envious, too. 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. In 1955, Startime went off the air. was finished, only a few seconds were left on the tape.[7]. 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. [12][25][26], After her modest success with "(Should I) Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree?" Connie met Bobby early on in her career and quickly formed a special connection. In spite of the success, she was informed by MGM that her contract would not be renewed after her tenth solo recording. And from there we had a wonderful friendship. [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. She spent 18 years with him before he passed away at the start of 2022. To celebrate, she hosted a magnificent party at her house, inviting everyone she cares about. Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero (born December 12, 1937), [2] known professionally as Connie Francis, is an American pop singer, actress, and top-charting female vocalist of the late 1950s and early 1960s. In 1973, she married Joseph Garzilli, restaurateur and travel-agency owner and remained married to him for five years, the union ending in a divorce in 1978. The incident happened while she appeared at the Westbury Music Fair in New York, on November 8, 1974. 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. She and Garzilli had a son named Joseph Jr. Associated With. 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. 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! Connie Francis is currently 85 according to her birthdate December 12, 1937 Sun Sign Sagittarius Born Place Newark, New Jersey, United States Nationality Education Connie Francis studied at Newark Arts High School from 1951 to 1952. [29], In 1977, Francis underwent nasal surgery and completely lost her voice. Her second marriage was to Izzy Marrion, a hair-salon owner. Desperate, she now began to look for her next hit and found it in Stupid Cupid, written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield. 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. 1 hit songs, iconic movies, Hollywood boyfriends, glamorous gowns and TV appearances on "American Bandstand" and "The Ed Sullivan Show.". Impressed by her singing, Godfrey also suggested that she give up the accordion and concentrate on singing, a suggestion, she happily followed. There was just a clash of personalities.. Connie Francis won television's Startime Talent Scouts at age 12 and signed with MGM Records. In August 1959, she released her third album, My Thanks to You. that benefits the victims. [38] That same year, she also released With Love to Buddy, a tribute album of songs made famous by the late Buddy Holly. [speaking about Hollywood trying to get her thin] I didn't know On November 27, 2002, she filed a second suit against UMG alleging the label had inflicted severe emotional distress on her and violated her moral rights when, without her permission, it synchronized several of her songs into "sexually themed" movies: the 1994 film Post Cards from America, the 1996 film The Craft, and the 1999 film Jawbreaker. The Portable Italian Mamma: Guilt, Pasta, and When Are You Giving Me Grandchildren? 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. 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.". By mid-year, over a million copies had been sold, and Francis was suddenly launched into worldwide stardom. And I spent most of my life apologizing to men for my success. 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).

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