Pop legend Connie Francis, known for hit songs such as “Who’s Sorry Now?” and “Pretty Little Baby,” has passed away at the age of 87. The singer’s death was confirmed by her publicist, Alene Lister, who stated that Francis died on Tuesday at her home in New Jersey.
Francis rose to fame in the late 1950s and was one of the top-selling female artists of the decade. She sold millions of records and became a household name with her catchy tunes and powerful vocals. Her songs, often centered around heartbreak and love, resonated with audiences and cemented her as a pop icon.
Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero in 1938, Francis grew up in a working-class family in New Jersey. She began her music career at the young age of 10, performing in local talent shows and on the radio. She was discovered by bandleader Joe Lipman in 1955 and signed a contract with MGM Records.
Her first major hit, “Who’s Sorry Now?,” was released in 1958 and reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This was followed by another hit, “Stupid Cupid,” which solidified Francis as a rising star. She went on to release numerous successful singles and albums, including “Lipstick on Your Collar” and “Where the Boys Are.”
Despite her success, Francis faced many challenges in her personal life. In 1974, she was brutally attacked in her hotel room, which resulted in physical and emotional scars that affected her for the rest of her life. In the 1980s, she also suffered from a series of personal tragedies, including the death of her brother and father.
However, Francis continued to perform and entertain audiences throughout the decades. She also dedicated her time to various charitable causes, including raising awareness for mental health and supporting victims of domestic violence.
Tributes have poured in from fellow musicians and fans, mourning the loss of the iconic singer. Francis’ impact on the music industry and her fans will always be remembered, and her legacy will continue through her timeless music.
In the last few years, Francis had been battling health issues and had been hospitalized multiple times. In 2011, she was diagnosed with severe spinal stenosis, which caused her extreme pain and limited her mobility. In 2017, she suffered a stroke and had to relearn how to walk and talk.
Despite these challenges, Francis remained resilient and continued to perform whenever she could. She had been planning to release a new album this year, but unfortunately, she did not get the chance to see it come to fruition.
The news of her passing has left the music industry and her fans in shock and sadness. Francis will always be remembered as a beloved singer and a trailblazer for women in the music industry. Her impact will be felt for generations to come.
Francis’ family has asked for privacy during this difficult time, and no details have been released regarding her cause of death. Her music will continue to live on, and her fans will always have her timeless songs to remember her by. Rest in peace, Connie Francis.