On January 1, 1958, Connie Francis sat down in front of her TV to watch American Bandstand. That moment changed everything for her. “Dick Clark said, ‘There’s a new girl singer, and she’s headed straight to No. 1,’” Connie told Closer. The song he played next? “Who’s Sorry Now?” Within seconds, Connie knew her life would never be the same. That song not only skyrocketed her to fame but also set the tone for a career that would sell more than 80 million records.
But life isn’t always smooth sailing, even for a superstar. Connie’s journey was filled with highs and devastating lows. From her rise to fame to a brutal assault, the murder of her younger brother, and the loss of her greatest love, she’s faced it all. Yet, despite the challenges, she remains resilient. At 84, she reflects, “I have some regrets, but I hope that I did OK.”
Connie’s Musical Roots
Music has always been a part of Connie’s life, even before she became a star. She fondly remembers her father, George Franconero, playing a concertina—an accordion-like instrument. “His father brought it with him from Italy to Ellis Island,” she says, recalling how her dad would play songs for her every night. This early exposure to music ignited a lifelong passion. “One of my first words was ‘radio.’ I wanted to hear music all the time.”
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From Child Performer to Teen Star
Connie’s talent didn’t go unnoticed. As a young child, she began singing and playing the accordion. Her first public performance came at the tender age of four when she played “O Sole Mio” and “Anchors Away” at Olympic Park in New Jersey. Her father had big dreams for her and was determined to see them come true. “He had a vision of my stardom that was unshakable,” Connie recalls.
As a teenager, Connie gained more exposure by performing on NBC’s Startime Kids for three years. But after the show ended in 1955, things got tough. Several singles failed to chart, and she almost accepted a scholarship to attend New York University. Then, everything changed with “Who’s Sorry Now?” The song was a cosmic moment for Connie, launching her career into the stratosphere.
Love and Heartbreak
Connie’s father, while supportive, could also be overprotective. She wasn’t allowed to date in high school and even missed her prom. This overprotectiveness created complications when she fell in love with fellow singer Bobby Darin. At 19, they planned to elope, but George had other plans. Armed with a gun, he stormed into her dressing room and chased Bobby away. Although they stayed in touch for a while, Bobby eventually married actress Sandra Dee in 1960.
Connie speaks fondly of Bobby, describing him as charismatic, talented, and brilliant. “He had the greatest sense of humor in the world,” she says. The news of his death in 1973 devastated her. “I never felt the same about anyone the way I still feel about Bobby to this day,” she admits. Over the years, Connie married four times, but none of those relationships lasted.
