Connie Francis Biography-Wiki
Newark Connie Francis is an American pop singer. From the age of three, George Franconero recognized his daughter’s outstanding talent and, at his persistence, she began taking accordion lessons. However, her musical ingenuity would not be served well by the accordion, but because she was blessed with a golden voice; one that the world would come to adore, and which would inspire and touch the hearts of many millions.
Through influence and encouragement from her father, Connie gave her first performance at the Olympic Amusement Park in Irvington, NJ at the tender age of four, playing her accordion and singing Anchors Aweigh and, in Italian, O Solo Mio. By the age of 10, she was playing “that instrument” and singing an unlikely standard, St. Louis Blues at the Mosque Theatre in Newark, earning a third-place on The Ted Mack Amateur Hour radio show.
The duality of Connie’s interests would soon become apparent. While appearing on TV weekly, she was also an excellent straight “A” student, co-editor of both her high school newspapers (at Arts High School in Newark and then later, at Belleville High School in Belleville, New Jersey), a member of the National Honor Society, and possessed with lofty aspirations of one day becoming a prominent doctor in research.
Connie Francis Early Life
At 14, she found herself making demonstration records (demos) for publishers, who would then pitch these yet-to-be-published songs to the most popular singers of the day. Before that first four-hour demo session was over, Connie knew, for certain, that if she were ever to find her place in the sun, it would surely begin in a recording studio — the one place which would consume the major part of her time for the next generation and more.
She was still 14 when she won a spot on The Arthur Godfrey Talent Scout Show, on which, every Christmas, rather than featuring the usual adult singers, Godfrey would highlight child performers instead. It was at the rehearsal for that show that Godfrey, having a tough time pronouncing her Italian last name, summoned her over to his desk. The name Connie Francis was given to her by Godfrey.
Amateur shows were the rage of 1950’s TV, and the talented young Connie soon found a home on a weekly kiddie variety show, NBC-TV’s The Startime Kids. Produced by a former hoofer named George Scheck, it was a program on which she would appear every single week for the next three-and-a-half years. When Startime had its run, Scheck became Connie’s personal manager, a close relationship that lasted almost 30 years.
At 17, with The Startime Kids off the air, George Scheck, together with the music publisher, Lou Levy, raised the $6,000 needed for Connie’s first own recording session. They then brought these masters to every record company in the business and, everywhere, they were turned down flat.
But as luck would have it, when they took those four masters to the only company remaining, MGM Records, the then-president Harry Meyerson, made a much different decision. He signed her to a 20-side/two-year unprecedented contract; one which allowed Connie to choose her own songs to record, and without having to rely on MGM recouping the costs for these sessions — the same unique rights she would enjoy for her next 15 years with the label.
Connie Francis Age
She was born on December 12, 1938, in the Italian section of Newark, New Jersey, USA. Francis was born as Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero. She is 81 years old as of 2019. Her birth is Sagittarius.
Connie Francis Parents
She is the daughter of first-generation Italian-American parents, George Franconero, Sr., and Ida Franconero. Francis spent her first years in a Brooklyn neighborhood on Utica Avenue/St. Marks Avenue before the family moved to New Jersey.
Connie Francis Spouse
Francis has been married four times. The longest-lasting union was five years (1973–1978) with Joseph Garzilli, a restaurateur and travel-agency owner. She was also married for four months to Dick Kanellis, a press agent and entertainment director for the Aladdin Hotel (1964); ten months to Izzy Marrion, a hair-salon owner (1971–1972); and eight months to TV producer Bob Parkinson (1985–1986).
Connie Francis Children
American singer adopted children are: Lorraine, Yvonne, Valerie, and Alan.
Connie Francis Son
She got a son, Joseph Garzilli Jr., from her married of five years with Joseph Garzilli.
Connie Francis Education
Francis attended Newark Arts High School in 1951 and 1952. After her family moved to Belleville, New Jersey, Connie graduated as salutatorian from Belleville High School Class of 1955.
Connie Francis Career
After a string of 18 bomb sides (nine unsuccessful singles), MGM was finally ready to drop her from their roster. Her very wise father had other ideas, and for over a year, he had pleaded with her to record an old standard written in 1923, Who’s Sorry Now. But both she and MGM soundly rejected his suggestion. With only 16 minutes remaining at that final session, Connie’s father gave her no choice other than to record the song about which he’d been hounding her for so long.
She whispered to the conductor, Joe Lipman, “If I don’t cut this loser, Joe, then you’ll have to go home with the man today!” On January 1st, 1958, three months after that session, and when the single was a dud like all her previous records, America’s teenage icon, Dick Clark, turned Connie’s world around.
He just happened to pick up a record that had been lying on his desk for months; he played it that day, liked it and continued to play it every day until April when Who’s Sorry Now had sold close to a million records.
Following the success of Who’s Sorry Now, Connie embarked on a nonstop manic-paced schedule, filled with endless recording sessions, appearances on every TV variety show in existence, and record-breaking appearances at the nation’s top nightclubs. At “The Greatest American Nightclub” of them all, New York City’s, Copacabana, she became the biggest female draw for the next 11 years.
The 60’s
Throughout the ’60s, she continued to break all records at Hollywood’s famous Coconut Grove, the Lincoln Center, the Eden Roc Hotel in Miami Beach, Blinstrub’s in Boston, The Elmwood Casino in Ontario, the Concord Hotel in the Jewish Castkills, The Latin Casino in Cherry Hill, and countless others. After a string of 18 bomb sides (nine unsuccessful singles), MGM was finally ready to drop her from their roster.
Her very wise father had other ideas, and for over a year, he had pleaded with her to record an old standard written in 1923, Who’s Sorry Now. But both she and MGM soundly rejected his suggestion. With only 16 minutes remaining at that final session, Connie’s father gave her no choice other than to record the song about which he’d been hounding her for so long.
She whispered to the conductor, Joe Lipman, “If I don’t cut this loser, Joe, then you’ll have to go home with the man today!” On January 1st, 1958, three months after that session, and when the single was a dud like all her previous records, America’s teenage icon, Dick Clark, turned Connie’s world around. He just happened to pick up a record that had been lying on his desk for months; he played it that day, liked it and continued to play it every day until April when Who’s Sorry Now had sold close to a million records.
In 1958, Cashbox, Billboard and the Jukebox Operators of America named Connie Francis as the #1 Female Vocalist. She was named Top Female Vocalist by all the trades for six consecutive years – a record never surpassed. As well, England’s prestigious New Musical Express also named her the World’s #1 Female Vocalist. She earned two gold records for Who’s Sorry Now? and Stupid Cupid.
Connie Francis also experienced many firsts in her early career. At 22, she was the youngest performer ever to star at the Copa, when it wasn’t during prom season; at 22, the first to land her own ABC-TV network special; also at 22, the youngest-ever star to headline in Las Vegas at the Sahara Hotel; and the first female to have a million-selling rock ’n’ roll hit, Stupid Cupid, written by her friends, Neil Sedaka and Howie Greenfield.
Connie Francis Body Measurements
Height: 5 ft 2 in / 156 cm
Weight: 110 lb / 50 kg
Shoe Size: 5.5 US
Body Shape: Not available
Hair Colour: Black
Eye color: Dark brown
Breast/bust size: 33 in / 86 cm
Waist size: 25 in / 65 cm
Hips size: 35 in / 89 cm
Bra size: 38B (US) / 85B (EU)
Cup size: B (US)
Nationality: American
Ethnicity: White
Connie Francis Net Worth
She has an estimated net worth of $25 million. Most of her income has been acquired throughout her career.
Connie Francis Salary
There are no details showing her annual or monthly earnings, her salary figures will be updated as soon as they are available.
Connie Francis Sexual Assault
After 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. She won a lawsuit against the hotel for lack of security.
As a result, the hotel and motel industry to install deadbolts, viewing ports and improved lighting. Francis was unable to sing for years after her attack. She later recovered until she was again able to tour in the early 1990s.
Connie Francis, Who’s Sorry Now?
“Who’s Sorry Now?” is a popular song with music written by Ted Snyder and lyrics by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby. It was published in 1923 when Isham Jones took it to number three. Other popular versions in 1923 were by Marion Harris, Original Memphis Five, Lewis James, and Irving Kaufman. The song was a major hit in 1958 for American singer Connie Francis.
Francis dominated the American charts in the ’50s and ’60s. With major songs including “Stupid Cupid”, “Lipstick on Your Collar”, “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” and “Carolina Moon”. Who’s Sorry Now tells the story of Connie’s amazing career and her doomed love affair with singer Bobby Darin.
Connie Francis Songs
- Stupid Cupid
- Lipstick on Your Collar
- Where the Boys Are
- My Happiness
- Among My Souvenirs
- Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You
- My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own
- I’m Gonna Be Warm This Winter
- Al di là
- Breakin’ In a Brand New Broken Heart
- Fallin’
- Die Liebe ist ein seltsames Spiel
- Schöner fremder Mann
- If I Didn’t Care
- Vacation
- Malaguena
- Carolina Moon
- Someone Else’s Boy
- If My Pillow Could Talk
- Second-Hand Love
- Barcarole In Der Nacht
- I Will Wait for You
- Many Tears Ago
- Wenn Du Gehst
- I’m Sorry I Made You Cry
- The Wedding Cake
- Together
- Blue Winter
- Love Is a Many Splendored Thing
- Mama
- Siboney
- Invierno Triste
Frequently Asked Questions About Connie Francis
Who is Connie Francis?
Francis is an American pop singer.
How old is Connie Francis?
She was born on December 12, 1938. Francis is 81 years old as of 2019.
How tall is Connie?
The famous singer stands at a height of 5 ft 2 in / 156 cm.
Is Connie Francis married?
Francis has been married four times. The longest-lasting union was five years (1973–1978) with Joseph Garzilli, a restaurateur and travel-agency owner. She was also married for four months to Dick Kannellis, a press agent and entertainment director for the Aladdin Hotel (1964); ten months to Izzy Marrion, a hair-salon owner (1971–1972); and eight months to TV producer Bob Parkinson (1985–1986).
How much is Connie Francis worth?
She has an estimated net worth of $25 million. Most of her income has been acquired throughout her career.
How much does Connie make?
There are no details showing her annual or monthly earnings, her salary figures will be updated as soon as they are available.
Where does Connie Francis live?
She has made her residence in Parkland for two decades. She is happily living now in Florida for about 20 years. Moreover, her home was spared damage from devastating hurricane Irma.
Is Connie Francis dead or alive?
She is alive and in good health. There have been no reports of him/her being sick or having any health-related issues.
Where is Connie Francis now?
Francis, now 81, is retired from performing.