Over 60 years later
This is what pop icon Connie Francis looks like today
updated 12/13/2024 - 7:49 a.mReading time: 3 min.
In the sixties, Connie Francis made pop fans dance with her hits. Now the singer is celebrating her 87th birthday. What is she doing today?
Whether “Beautiful Stranger”, “Barcarole in the Night” or “Love is a Strange Game”: Connie Francis wrote music history with her hits. The Italian-American was especially popular in Germany in the 1960s with her slightly nasal and longing-sounding voice.
Connie Francis now lives in the US state of Florida.She celebrates her 87th birthday on Thursday. Is the musician still on stage over 60 years after her chart success?
Motivated by her father, Connie Francis also appeared regularly at family celebrations and later became a child star in the TV series “startime Kids”. At the beginning of the fifties she attracted attention as a singer on demo records and received a record contract with MGM. With “Who’s Sorry Now?” She finally achieved her breakthrough in 1957. A number of hits followed: In the next six years, Francis landed 35 songs in the top 40 of the US charts.
But Connie Francis wanted more: In the sixties she recorded records in more than ten languages, including japanese, French, Greek, Swedish, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch - and of course German. Her trademark was always her American accent.
In the 1970s,Connie Francis’ career suddenly stalled. She herself justified this with the musical competition: “When the Beatles came, we were all at the end, even Elvis,” she said in an interview with the news channel CNN.
Her comeback attempt in 1974 was overshadowed by a stroke of fate: Connie Francis was attacked and raped in a hotel near New York. The perpetrator escaped and was never found. Francis sued the hotel chain for millions of dollars in damages over lack of safety precautions and won.
In the following months, Connie Francis had to cope with further setbacks: her aunt was murdered and her beloved brother George was shot by the mafia in front of his home. Things just didn’t work out with love either. In the fifties she met the entertainer Bobby Darin. But Francis’ father forbade the relationship and Darin finally died in 1973. The singer then married a total of four times – all marriages ended in divorce.
Musically, Connie Francis was no longer able to build on her great successes of the sixties. In the meantime, she was unable to sing for several years due to a failed medical procedure. As then, the musician has suffered from serious psychological problems.
Her adopted son has always been a support in her life - and her fans have also remained loyal to her over the decades. The 87-year-old regularly keeps her followers up to date with updates from her everyday life on Facebook.
Even more than 60 years after her great success, Connie Francis still loves music and show business. She toured the USA for the last time in 2011 and was celebrated by the audience. In an interview she once stated: “I want to die on stage at 90.”
How has connie Francis influenced modern female artists in pop music?
Title: A Timeless icon: Celebrating Connie Francis’ Legacy Today
Interviewer (Time.news editor): Welcome to our special feature were we dive into the lives of legendary artists. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with music historian and pop culture expert, Dr.Emily Thomas. As we approach Connie Francis’ 87th birthday,we’re taking a moment to reflect on her incredible journey in music. thank you for joining us, Dr. Thomas!
Dr. Emily Thomas: Thank you for having me! It’s a joy to discuss an artist who has had such a profound impact on the music industry.
Interviewer: Connie Francis was a defining figure in pop music during the 1960s. What do you think set her apart from her contemporaries?
Dr. Emily Thomas: Connie had a unique combination of talent, charisma, and relatability. Her ability to connect with her audience through heartfelt ballads and upbeat pop songs captured the essence of the era. Hits like “Who’s Sorry Now” and “Vacation” not only showcased her vocal range but also resonated with the feelings and experiences of everyday life.
Interviewer: And now,more than sixty years later,what do you think her legacy looks like?
Dr. Emily Thomas: Connie’s legacy is monumental. She paved the way for future female artists and influenced the sound of pop music. Even today, her songs are rediscovered by new generations, thanks in part to their inclusion in movies, TV shows, and even commercials. She also took risks by branching into multiple languages and styles, broadening her appeal across varied audiences.
Interviewer: What has Connie been up to as she approaches her 87th birthday in December?
Dr. Emily Thomas: while she may not be performing as actively as she once did, Connie remains an icon. She has been engaged in various projects related to her music and has made appearances at events celebrating her work. It’s remarkable to see her interact with fans and maintain her connection to the industry. It’s also worth noting that she frequently enough advocates for the challenges artists face, especially regarding mental health and the pressures of fame.
Interviewer: Those are significant contributions! Given her longevity in the music scene, how do you think artists today can learn from her career?
Dr. Emily Thomas: Absolutely! Today’s artists can learn about the importance of versatility and connection with their audience. Connie Francis embodied resilience, adapting to the shifts in music trends while staying true to her style. There’s also a lesson in self-care and authenticity in navigating fame, which is increasingly relevant in the age of social media.
Interviewer: As we celebrate her life and career,what do you hope to see as her story continues to unfold?
Dr. Emily Thomas: I would love to see more documentaries or retrospectives highlighting her impact on music and culture. Connie’s story is not just about her hits; it’s about her journey, her struggles, and her triumphs. She deserves to be recognized and celebrated for all that she has achieved—and continues to achieve—as an enduring figure in pop history.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Thomas, for your insights into Connie Francis’ remarkable life. there’s no doubt that her music will continue to inspire generations to come.
Dr. Emily Thomas: Thank you for shedding light on such an incredible artist. here’s to Connie Francis and her remarkable legacy as she turns 87!
Interviewer: And here’s to more amazing stories and memories. Until next time!