Connie Francis, Pop Icon, Dies at 87

“Stupid Cupid” and “Pretty Little Baby” Singer Remembered

The music world is mourning the loss of pop music legend Connie Francis, who passed away at the age of 87. Her death was confirmed by close friend and publicist Ron Roberts, who shared the somber news via Facebook.

It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that i inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night. I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news.

— Ron Roberts (@RonRoberts) April 3, 2024

Francis, a dominant force in music from the late 1950s through the mid-1960s, left an indelible mark on the industry. Her hits, including “Stupid Cupid” and “Where the Boys Are,” resonated with a generation and continue to find new audiences. Notably, her 1959 track “Pretty Little Baby” experienced a significant resurgence, becoming a viral sensation on TikTok earlier this year.

In May, Francis expressed her surprise and delight at the renewed popularity of “Pretty Little Baby,” telling People magazine, To think that a song I recorded 63 years ago is touching the hearts of millions of people is truly awesome. It is an amazing feeling.

Chart-Topping Success and Global Appeal

During her peak, Francis was a constant presence on the charts, achieving over a dozen top 20 hits. Her chart successes included “Who’s Sorry Now?,” “Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You,” and “The Heart Has a Mind of Its Own.” Her musical reach extended globally as she recorded her songs in multiple languages, including Italian and Spanish, further solidifying her international fame.

Beyond her music career, Francis also ventured into acting, starring in films such as “Where the Boys Are” and “Follow the Boys,” mirroring the path of other popular teen idols of her era.

A Tumultuous Personal Journey

Francis‘s life was also marked by personal struggles. A teenage romance with fellow idol Bobby Darin was reportedly ended by her father, George Franconero, who reportedly intervened violently. This event, Francis later reflected, contributed to a difficult personal path, which she detailed in her autobiography, “Who’s Sorry Now?”

“My personal life is a regret from A to Z,” she told The Associated Press in 1984, the year the book came out. “I realised I had allowed my father to exert too much influence over me.”

—Connie Francis

Her father had been instrumental in her musical development from a young age, managing her career and booking performances. By age nine, she was already appearing on national television shows like Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts.

Tragedy struck Francis in 1974 when she was raped at knifepoint in her New York hotel room; the assailant was never apprehended. She successfully sued the hotel for negligence, leading to an out-of-court settlement. The incident profoundly impacted her life, contributing to the end of her marriage and years of emotional distress.

Further heartbreak followed in 1981 with the shooting death of her brother, George. Later that decade, her father had her committed to a psychiatric hospital, where she was diagnosed with manic-depressive disorder. Francis also survived a suicide attempt, falling into a coma after taking an overdose of sleeping pills.

Throughout these challenges, Francis navigated four marriages, noting that only her third husband, Joseph Garzilli, proved to be a worthwhile union. Her life and career were recently honored with the Broadway musical “Just in Time,” which Francis had expressed interest in attending.