Connie Francis, a contemporary of Elvis Presley, was one of the most popular singers of the 1950s and early 1960s. Photo: TNS
Iconic singer Connie Francis has died just weeks after pulling out of a Fourth of July performance and telling fans she was in the hospital in “extreme pain.”
Ron Roberts, the president of Concetta Records, shared the news to Francis’ Facebook page just after midnight on Thursday.
“It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that I inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night,’ Roberts wrote. “I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news. More details to follow later.”
“Very sad news,” Randy McGill replied. “I had so hoped she would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame before she passed away. She was considered the first lady of the first decade of rock and roll. Long ago she deserved to be included in the Hall of Fame. Rest in peace Connie. You will always be in my hall of fame.”
“RIP CONNIE,” another wrote. “You were and will always be my Idol. A voice of an Angel. Always a sweet, beautiful & caring woman! I will never stop listening to your music. Where The Boys Are my absolute favorite movie because of you! Thank you for sharing your incredible talent with all of us and the world! Rest in Peace beautiful lady.”
Connie Francis had recently been making headlines due to her 1962 song 'Pretty Little Baby' becoming a huge hit on TikTok, 63 years after she recorded the B-side. Photo: AP
Francis took to social media back on July 2 to let her fans know she had been hospitalised and would not be able to perform on July 4.
‘Hello Everyone — As many of you may now have learned through Cousin Brucie’s Facebook page, I am back in hospital where I have been undergoing tests and checks to determine the cause (s) of the extreme pain I have been experiencing,” she wrote on Facebook.
“I had hope to take part in Brucie’s show for Independence Day, having had to cancel a previous slot a few weeks ago when receiving treatment on my hip. Sadly, I had to let him know that I again had to withdraw. My thanks for your many get well soon messages. I will endeavor to keep you updated.”
She followed that with a promising post later in the day.
“I am pleased to advise that following a series of tests and examinations in Intensive Care, I have now been transferred to a private room,” she added. “Thank you all for your kind thoughts, words and prayers. They mean so much!”
And on July 4 she provided a promising update.
“Today I am feeling much better after a good night, and wanted to take this opportunity of wishing you all a happy Fourth of July,” she wrote on Facebook. “Thank you all for your continued kind thoughts and prayers. A happy Independence Day to you and your loved ones.”
Francis had recently been making headlines due to her 1962 song Pretty Little Baby becoming a huge hit on TikTok, 63 years after she recorded the B-side.
Francis, a contemporary of Elvis Presley, was one of the most popular singers of the 1950s and early 1960s, with Top 10 singles like Who’s Sorry Now?, My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own, Where the Boys Are and Don’t Break The Heart That Loves You.
According to People magazine, Francis was the first woman to have a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with her 1960 track Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool. – Agencies/Tribune News Service
