Connie Francis Receives the “Key to the City”

Concetta Rose Marie Francanero aka Connie Francis, returned to the Sahara Hotel  New Year’s weekend  2005 to sell out crowds.  She was celebrating her 45^th anniversary from when she first appeared there in 1960 which lasted nine consecutive years.   In 1966 she recorded an album entitled “Live at the Sahara” - a class act from day one. Her show brought fond memories from a time period when life was a little more simpler. No fax machines, no cell phones, no crap rap music….. just a pair of bobby socks, the school dance and a drive for an ice cream soda.

On December 29^th 2004, the happiest mayor in the world, Mayor Oscar Goodman honored Connie with the key to this great city. The Mayor comically asked Connie, “Where are the Boys”?  She responded, “Never mind the boys, I am now looking for the men”.  On December 30^th opening night, as entertainment ambassador, I was asked to present Connie with the key during her performance. 

During Connie’s show, she repeatedly talked about her Italian upbringing and living the Italian tradition…from family gatherings to dinner every night at the same time with designated pasta nights. She boasted that her father was very strict and how he was a big influence in her career - from the songs she selected to record, to the way she presented her show.

Why Connie Francis from  Concetta Rose Marie Francanero? “When I made my first appearance at age ten, on the Arthur Godfrey television show. Mr.  Godfrey had trouble pronouncing my name, so he announced me as Connie Francis.  My father was not to crazy about the idea but accepted it later on and so did America.”

Connie Francis sang “Who’s Sorry Now” on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand January 1, 1958 where it became her first million-selling hit record. Followed by “Stupid Cupid,” “Lipstick on Your Collar,” and “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool.” Her fame grew and her popularity skyrocketed.

For Italian Americans, Connie Francis was not merely a famous singer of early rock music but one who also paid homage to her ethnic roots by making wonderful records of traditional Italian songs such as her plaintive rendition of "Mama" and "Tango della Gelosia" (Jealousy of Love).

Her motion picture debut in “Where The Boys Are” was a box office triumph and became one of the top 10 teen films of all time. The million-selling title song topped the charts in 15 countries and 6 languages simultaneously.

I had asked Connie, out of all the Connie Francis recordings, which one is your favorite

Answer:  “Mama”, this song has touched the hearts of all including Elvis. One night Elvis was in my audience and when I sang Mama he left in the middle of the song, his mother had just passed away. The next day I received two dozen yellow roses, with a message from Elvis apologizing for leaving early

I had also asked Connie,  “If there was a Connie Francis legacy what would that be”?

Answer: “I would wish that people would remember my as the only one who was able to communicate to the world through song in their language”.

Connie Francis has certainly inspired the world with her wonderful songs and has set a precedence as the first Diva of music, making music history as an Italian American female singer.

Connie would soon be joined by other famous Italian American female singers. Probably the most well known contemporary female singer of Italian ancestry that is compared to her is Madonna.

Connie tells me that she and Gloria Estefan are in the process of writing the screenplay and script for the movie, The Life Story of Connie Francis, where Gloria will be playing Connie.