His children's tribute deeply touched the father of seven, and as he tried to hold back his tears, he told them that he worked four full-time jobs because he wanted to give them the best life. Born as Concetta Rosemarie Franconero, Connie Francis would marry four times in her life. Kids' & Baby Bags & Purses Women's Clothing Dresses . Connie Francis has recently penned a new biography that she has so graciously agreed to share with fans and friends. This is Connie Francis., Concetta Rosemarie Franconero was born on December 12, 1937 in an Italian neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey. Connie was given unprecedented perks by MGM including the fact that MGM paid for all her recording sessions, without recouping session costs, and MGM allowed Connie to choose all her own songs. Kevin "Kb" Brewer, Joe "Punkee" Larot, Jeff "Phi" Nguyen, Rynan "Kid Rainen" Paguio Shutterstock The latest update concerning Connie came from her daughter Joely, who often posts pictures on social media and shares anecdotes of her mother and father Eddie, who died in 2010 aged 82. Francis says after finally being rescued, taken to the hospital and questioned by the police, she found herself driving home in a car with her Aunt Marie riding shot gun and her father at the wheel. One in-depth story read as follows, The words conjure up an image of more sadness than would seem possible to bear. Dick Kanellis worked as a press agent and entertainment director for the Aladdin Hotel. In 1956 Connie met a poverty-stricken kid from the Bronx - Bobby Darin. In 1962 she signed a new contract with MGM, combining movie deals with recording. The Very Best of Connie Francis - Connie's 21 Biggest Hits by Connie And following her terrifying rape, her father's reaction stuck with her. And although Francis was married four times, she still believes that her one true love was singer Bobby Darin, admitting she still loved him despite finding him with two naked hookers once. Connie Francis' Father Saw the Love of Her Life as a 'Threat - AmoMama Much like Connie, Izzy had also been married once before and had two children from his previous relationship. 'I said, "hey dummy, this floozy your latest thing? Francis says she did her best to stay calm. 1937) spent some of her young life in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, but most of it in Newark and Belleville, NJ (where she was class salutatorian). On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Once again, the reception to her appearance on The Perry Como Show catapulted Connie into the realm of a genuine American adult star, and days after that show people were scalping tickets to see her at Carnegie Hall. Connie Francis Net Worth | Celebrity Net Worth However, this procedure left her entirely unable to sing for four long years. The Belleville High School was where she did complete her further education and graduated as a salutatorian. was never her strong suit, which is the source of good-natured self-deprecating humor to this day. In this campaign Connie will attempt to accomplish for those people suffering from mental illness what she did for victims of violent crime. Only this much information is known about her education career; however, media is trying to collect more data. The pop icon married her third husband, Joseph Garzilli, in 1973. '"What did you say to them Don?" Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Ukrainian soldier takes out five tanks with Javelin missiles, Isabel Oakeshott receives 'menacing' message from Matt Hancock, Alex Murdaugh unanimously found GUILTY of murder of wife and son, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts, Family of a 10-month-old baby filmed vaping open up, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Moment teenager crashes into back of lorry after 100mph police race. It's well known that Vegas was controlled by the mob and Francis was no stranger to the way the mafia operated. 0 Following 2 Followers. RAF Typhoon jets cause massive sonic boom sweeping across central England when they scramble to intercept a Do YOU know your Adam and Eve from your Ruby Murray? 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 fathers name is George, and her mothers name is Ida Franconero. After the show somebody told me he was going to have my legs broken. They began a relationship soon after they met for the first time and dated for a while before getting married. I was athletically declined, she says. Her marriage to the hair salon owner was short-lived, ending after 10 months. At the end of the hall she ran into Darin's friend who demanded to know what had happened. Interview with Connie Francis: The First Lady of Rock and Roll The materials include annual reports, development and endowment fund records, financial statements, a five-year plan (dated . 'One evening Don came to my room petrified to death,' writes Connie. Frank Gorin Whitlock (1906-1977) - Find a Grave Memorial Personal Life: Dating, Boyfriends, Husband, Kids. 'With that Sinatra stood up and announced to a crowd that included Lee Remick and Lee Marvin, "Hey Gang! In high school, Connie was a high achiever an A student, National Honor Society, co-editor of her high school newspaper, and, at fifteen, was the New Jersey State Typing Champion. Mrs. She had a younger brother named George Franconero, Jr. She was even widely known for the style of songs that represented her versatility. 'I told him I needed another 10 minutes. She earned two gold records for Who's Sorry Now? Recently Added. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Connie Francis was born as Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero on December 12, 1938 in Ironbound Newark, New Jersey. He was born in 1974. Connie's paternal grandfather arrived in 1905, carrying a battered concertina and little else. The pair had dated for a year before tying the knot. She received the princely sum of $10 for four songs, which she said went a long way. At that time, the Mob offered to sign her, but her father wisely chose to build Connies career without such assistance. She told DailyMail.com: 'It was important for me to write an honest, no holds barred account of my life, in order to let people know that although we all go through difficult times, we can survive. in 1984. Life moves forward so quickly, make the most of it while you can. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic. He was as happy and enthusiastic as a little boy.'. ', Francis reveals how much her father's opinion of her impacted the way she felt about herself. At age 11 she appeared on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts (1948) as a singer and accordionist. Welcome to the Coronation! Little Sixteen-Ricky Nelson/Chuck Berry/David Seville And His Orchestra Further hits such as Stupid Cupid (the first female rock n roll hit), Lipstick On Your Collar, Frankie, My Happiness and Among My Souvenirs cemented her status as the first princess of rock n roll. Connie Francis (born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero; December 12, 1938) is an American pop singer, former actress, and top-charting female vocalist of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Her father was opposed to it; he thought it was a dirty movie, but Connie defied him and indeed appeared in the movie and sang the title song. She also lobbied a joint session of the Texas legislature with Texas Attorney General Jim Maddox. The little kid from Jersey just beat the house for thirty five large. Members: THE WHO The Kids Are Alright JAPAN MINI LP 2CD POCP-9212/3 Kate and Prince William 'are keen' for Prince George to have official role in King Charles' coronation - but Royally hard work! Since the people who were staying near to her house were of Italian Jewish experience, growing up with them, she became quite fluent in Yiddish and had even recorded some of her songs in Yiddish. Group Name: This effectively ended Connies and Bobbys relationship forever. Connie Francis has a fascinating personal life. And for the first time, she reveals never-before-shared details of the brutal 1974 rape that kept her from performing for the next three years. Connie spoke to 6,000 chiefs of police at the IACP Convention in Atlanta in 1983 advocating for better treatment of crime victims by police departments, along with then Attorney General William French Smith, IACP President Jim Damos and FBI Director Daniel Webster. That night, after everyone retired leaving Francis on her own, she was raped. She was booked into an engagement at the Westbury Music Fair on Long Island. Id rather go to the Jersey shore.. My father was so controlling and determined not to let men into my life that he didn't even allow me to attend my senior prom.'. Daddy will go insane, how will he ever accept this disgrace?'. I could pick hit records, but not hit husbands, Connie shared on her official website. Read it here! 'Alert the media Charlie! Bobby had everything: charisma, talent, he was brilliant. As of her family background is considered family as an Italian-American family. Francis reveals how much her father's opinion of her impacted the way she felt about herself. Although the two had called it quits long before his marriage to Dee, when she got a call that night from his friend Charlie, saying Darin was distraught and needed to talk to her, Francis agreed to go to his hotel room. 10 We provide you with the latest gossip, news and videos straight from the celebrity world. On the fourth night of the engagement, she was brutally robbed, beaten and raped at knifepoint, an event that garnered international headlines. Connie Francis - Wikipedia He had the greatest sense of humor in the world, Connie told Closer in March 2022. A Confusion of Connies: How to Tell Francis from Stevens 'From day one I became completely obsessed with playing Blackjack. She had guards around her house. The Connie Francis Christmas Album. As a result, she was instrumental in having several laws changed and/or passed including a Victims Omnibus Bill introduced by Senator John Heinz; passage of Proposition 8, the toughest anti-crime bill ever passed in California; the repeal of New Yorks Earnest Resistance Law; and Connie was successful in getting the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) to adopt a Crime Victims Bill of Rights for the first time, that she composed. Without it, I was a different person. Pictured: Francis in 1960. In 1960 Connie was named the #1 Female Recording Artist in Germany, Japan, England, Italy, Australia and in every other area of the world where records were bought. Connie Francis: Passionate about netball | Flair | Jamaica Gleaner Connie Francis song lyrics collection. 'Very, very nice. Throughout her career, she has sold 100 million records worldwide. Although Connies stardom and international fame are taken for granted today, her early journey in show business was arduous and filled with many disappointments. She was granted her own task force under the Reagan Administration and spent two-and-half years vigorously advocating for legal and policy changes. Connie Francis is one of the finest personalities; it was during the 1960s when she could earn popularity and gained huge public recognition. She had guards around her house. As a fourteen-year-old she began recording demonstration records (demos) for publishers. You have entered an incorrect email address! Connie Francis Albums and Discography | AllMusic But now, at 80, I want to share those experiences hoping others will benefit.'. She appeared in an hour-long TV special in Romania and went behind the Berlin Wall. When she finally granted her first interview she said, When I lost my voice, I lost my identity because, in my mind, I was my voice. How he later threatened to cut her throat from ear to ear if she didn't give him all her money, and her utter panic at realizing she didn't have her money or jewelry in the room to give him. Connie speaks candidly about the traumatic rollercoaster ride of her personal life and her long successful career and declares that the inspiration she received from people all over the world, the support of her family and friends and most especially her sense of humor are those things that have sustained her all her life. Connie Francis has a fascinating personal life. MGM advised her, Tell your ol man to stick to his roofing business. Connie thought the song was too square and that the kids on American Bandstand would laugh me right off the show. Her dads wry retort, If you dont record this song, honey, the only way youll ever get on American Bandstand is if you sit on top of the TV set.. There was just a clash of personalities.. That very week, George Scheck got Bobby a recording contract with Decca Records. Newcastle upon Tyne, England Pop singer, who played an important part in late-1950s and 1960s American pop music as one of the most versatile vocalists in the field and one of the few women to join the top ranks of Italian-American entertainers like Dean Martin and Tony Bennett. [1] In 1959, she was recognized as the then best-selling female recording artist in Germany and was once hailed as the worlds best-selling female vocalist in history at that time. The couple were married for 81 days before their relationship headed towards a divorce. Despite several severe interruptions in her career, she is . Afrikaans; ; ; Asturianu; ; ; Bosanski; Brezhoneg; Catal; etina; Cymraeg; Dansk; Deutsch; Espaol . She was also the youngest star to appear in a main room in Las Vegas at the Sahara Hotel and broke records previously held by Johnny Carson. Though, she is 5 5 in feet and inches and 167 cm in Centimetres tall, she weighs about 165 lbs in Pound and 75kg in Kilograms. he asked. Connie Francis - 24 Greatest Hits Album Reviews, Songs & More - AllMusic QUICK FACTS Name: Francis Birth Year:. She is now 84 years old. Now, at 80, I want to share those experiences hoping others will benefit', Despite her success, Francis admits her life wasn't always glamorous. In 1971 she was asked by the State Department to represent the United States in Romania, in an effort to ease the tension between the two countries. ', In one letter, written by a 20-year-old Darin while staying at the now-demolished Wolverine Hotel in Detroit, Michigan, the young singer poured his heart out to his then 18-year-old love.