Connie Francis, Iconic ‘Where the Boys Are’ Singer, Passes Away at 87

## Passing of Connie Francis

Connie Francis, the celebrated pop singer renowned for her chart-topping hits in the late Fifties and early Sixties, sadly passed away on Wednesday at the age of 87. Her friend and founder of Concetta Records, Ron Roberts, confirmed her death in a heartfelt statement shared online.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night,” Roberts expressed. He emphasized that Connie would want her fans to be among the first to hear this heartbreaking news.

### Recent Health Issues

While a specific cause of death has not been disclosed, it’s worth noting that Francis had been hospitalized just recently due to extreme pain, which led her to miss a Fourth of July radio event. Her health struggles were made public, prompting concern among her admirers.

### Career Highlights

Connie’s music journey took off in the mid-Fifties, starting with singles released under MGM Records. Although her initial efforts did not gain much traction, she was invited to provide vocals for actresses in films like *Rock, Rock, Rock* and *The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw*.


After her dismissal from MGM, she experienced a significant breakthrough with the song “Who’s Sorry Now?” which soared to Number Four on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1958. This pivotal moment not only marked her rise in music but also paved the way for her successful film career.

The following year, her iconic track “Where the Boys Are” not only made waves on the charts but also inspired a film featuring Francis. By 1962, she reached new heights with her hit “Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You.” Throughout her career, she often recorded her hits in multiple languages, broadening her appeal worldwide.

### Challenges Faced

As the music landscape evolved with the British Invasion and rock & roll surge in the 1960s, Francis faced a decline in popularity. The decade was particularly challenging for her, marked by personal tragedies including a traumatic event that severely impacted her mental health. Further struggles followed a botched nasal surgery, which left her unable to perform for several years. She also faced the heartbreaking loss of her brother in a mob shooting.

### Comeback and Recent Success

Despite these hardships, Connie Francis made a commendable comeback in the Nineties, returning to the stage and occasionally recording new music until her retirement in 2018. Earlier this year, her song “Pretty Little Baby” unexpectedly surged in popularity on TikTok, topping the platform’s music charts and rekindling interest in her work among younger audiences.

“I am thrilled and overwhelmed at the success of ‘Pretty Little Baby,’” she said in a statement. “I recorded that song 63 years ago, and to realize a new generation knows my music is incredibly exciting.”


As we reflect on Connie Francis’s extraordinary life and contributions to music, what memories or songs from her legacy resonate with you the most?