Connie Francis

Connie Francis (born December 12, 1938) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and author. She is best known for her string of hit singles in the late 1950s and early 1960s, including "Where the Boys Are", "Stupid Cupid", and "Everybody's Somebody's Fool". She is also known for her acting roles in films such as Where the Boys Are (1960) and Follow the Boys (1963).

Early Life

Connie Francis was born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero in Newark, New Jersey, to Italian-American parents. She was the youngest of four children. Her father, George Franconero, Sr., was a local musician who played accordion and guitar. Her mother, Ida Franconero, was a homemaker.

At the age of four, Francis began taking piano lessons and soon began singing in her church choir. She also took part in school plays and talent shows. At the age of eight, she won a talent contest and was given a spot on a local radio show.

Music Career

In 1955, Francis signed a recording contract with MGM Records. Her first single, "Freddy", was released in 1956 and became a minor hit. Her follow-up single, "Who's Sorry Now?", was released in 1958 and became a major hit, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100.

Francis went on to have a string of hits throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, including "Where the Boys Are", "Stupid Cupid", and "Everybody's Somebody's Fool". She also had several international hits, including "Mama" and "Vacanze Romane".

In addition to her singing career, Francis also acted in several films, including Where the Boys Are (1960) and Follow the Boys (1963). She also wrote several books, including her autobiography Who's Sorry Now? (1978).

Later Career

In the late 1960s, Francis began to focus more on her personal life and less on her music career. She married Joe Garzilli in 1968 and had two children.

In the 1970s, Francis returned to the music industry with a series of albums, including Sing Along with Connie Francis (1973) and Connie Francis Sings Italian Favorites (1975). She also released several singles, including "My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own" (1975) and "I'm Gonna Be Warm This Winter" (1977).

In the 1980s, Francis continued to perform and record, releasing the album Connie Francis Sings the Great Italian Hits (1984). She also appeared in several television specials, including A&E's Biography (1985).

In the 1990s, Francis released several albums, including Who's Happy Now? (1995) and Connie Francis Sings the Songs of Lesley Gore (1997). She also appeared in the film The Godfather Part III (1990).

In the 2000s, Francis continued to perform and record, releasing the album Connie Francis Sings the Songs of the Beatles (2002). She also appeared in the documentary Where the Boys Are: The Story of Connie Francis (2005).

Today, Francis continues to perform and record. She has released several albums, including Connie Francis Sings the Songs of the Great Divas (2013) and Connie Francis Sings the Songs of the Great Ladies of Country (2015). She also continues to tour and perform live.