"Amour is an enigmatic pastime"
In a career spanning over six decades, Connie Francis, born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero on December 12, 1938, in New Jersey, left an indelible mark on the music industry. Known for her versatile repertoire that included Schlager, country music, jazz, Jewish and Irish folk songs, Francis became a household name in the US and beyond.
Francis's career reached new heights in the early 1960s when she made history by becoming the first woman to have a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" in June 1960. This was followed by two more No. 1 hits: "My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own" (1960) and "Don't Break the Heart That Loves You" (1962).
With tens of millions of records sold worldwide and over 35 Top 40 hits, including over a dozen Top 10 hits, Francis was as popular as contemporaries like Elvis Presley and Bobby Darin. In 1964, her global appeal was recognised with a Golden Globe Award for special achievement due to her international musical impact.
Beyond the charts, Francis's performances for U.S. troops during the Vietnam War in the late 1960s made a powerful impression. Notably, she chose to begin her concert with "God Bless America," which deeply moved soldiers and became the highlight of her professional career.
However, the 1970s proved to be a challenging period for Francis. As musical tastes shifted, her mainstream commercial success diminished, except among her dedicated fan base. The changing landscape of music, with the rise of new genres, contributed to tougher times professionally.
Francis's love life was also marked by heartache. She considered entertainer Bobby Darin the love of her life but was forbidden to be with him by her father.
Despite these challenges, Francis continued to give concerts and interviews and make public appearances until her later years, despite health issues and becoming more reclusive. In recent years, she found a new audience on TikTok, with her song "Pretty Little Baby" becoming a surprise hit.
Sadly, at the age of 87, Connie Francis has passed away. Her manager, Ron Roberts, announced her death on Facebook. Numerous US media outlets reported on Francis's death, with tributes pouring in from fans and industry peers alike.
Francis will be remembered not only for her remarkable international career but also for her resilience and adaptability in the face of personal and professional struggles. Her music, which continues to resonate with new generations, will serve as a testament to her enduring legacy.
[1] Biography.com Editors. (2019). Connie Francis. A&E Television Networks, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.biography.com/musician/connie-francis
[2] The Associated Press. (2022). Connie Francis, who became first woman to hit No. 1 on Billboard, dies at 87. Associated Press. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/connie-francis-entertainment-obituaries-music-deaths-8757e7c7b589742411794e74a8938c55
In the midst of her illustrious career, Connie Francis showcased her love for entertainment beyond music, performing for U.S. troops during the Vietnam War. As her musical career faded during the challenging 1970s, she found a new platform on TikTok, proving that her music continues to resonate with new generations.
