Connie Francis, the pop vocalist behind popular 1950s and 1960s songs like “Pretty Little Baby”, “Who’s Sorry Now”, and more, dies at 87. On Facebook early on Thursday, July 17, Ron Roberts, the president of Concetta Records, her music label, broke the news. In this article, you will learn more about her passing away and the immense popularity of her songs that are still viral today.
The Statement of Ron Roberts was reshared to Francis’ official Facebook page.
Ron Roberts said the following: “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.”
Though no one has shared the cause of her death, reports confirm that doctors hospitalized Francis in an intensive care unit in recent weeks. Medical teams conducted tests to identify the source of her extreme pain. Francis used her Facebook profile to keep admirers updated. She said in her July 4 update, “I’m feeling much better.” Additionally, Robert said he’ll announce further details later.
One of the Bestselling Female Vocalists of the 1960s
Music historians and fans regard Francis as one of the bestselling female vocalists of the 1960s and credit her with helping globalize American music. This includes recording her singles in around 12 languages. The 1962 single “Pretty Little Baby” by Newark, New Jersey native went viral on TikTok recently, bringing the mid-century star to a new generation of fans.
She acted in movies like When the Boys Meet the Girls, Follow the Boys, Looking for Love, and ‘Where the Boys Are’, a low-budget smash for MGM that shared the name of her 1961 hit.
Francis Took Extended Breaks Due to Tragedy
In her later years, Francis took extended breaks from music due to tragedy. A cosmetic surgical procedure in 1967 negatively affected her vocal performances, as per her biography. After suffering a miscarriage in 1974, she returned to music. Later that year, an assailant sexually assaulted her and robbed her at knifepoint, which led her to take a public hiatus for several years.
After the attack, she sued the hotel chain and won over $2 million, one of the largest judgments of its kind at the time. Mental health struggles and alleged domestic violence from her husbands also impacted her life. Later, she also became an advocate for human rights.
‘Pretty Little Baby’ Was Used Over a Million Times on TikTok
In May, “Pretty Little Baby” started to get popular on TikTok, with both celebrities and influencers posting videos to the song. North West and Kylie Jenner lip-synced to the song, while creators like Abbie Herbert and Brooke Monk also used the sound.
To date, this song has been used over on over a million TikTok videos. At its peak, this iconic song averaged more than 600,000 daily creates on TikTok. It also hit No. 1 on both app’s top 50 and viral 50 charts as per a press release.
In the announcement, Tracy Gardner, TikTok’s global head of music business development, said, “The huge viral success of ‘Pretty Little Baby’ is the perfect example of the power of music discovery on TikTok.”
This Song’s Popularity Got Francis Herself to Join TikTok in June
She said the following in a video on the page: “I’m flabbergasted and excited about the huge buzz my 1962 recording of ‘Pretty Little Baby’ is making all over the world. To think that a song I recorded 63 years ago is captivating new generations of audiences is truly overwhelming for me.”
She Happily Died Knowing That This Generation likes Her Music
On the iconic singer’s TikTok page, there were multiple condolence messages on her death. Some users expressed their appreciation for the comeback of the song “Pretty Little Baby.” A user wrote, “She died happy knowing that this generation likes her music,” one person wrote. “You will be missed. Thank you for the music.” While another said, “RIP Connie Francis. She died knowing that her song had become famous again.”
The Release of “Pretty Little Baby”?
Connie Francis released this legendary song in 1962 as part of her album Connie Francis Sings Second Hand Love & Other Hits. She didn’t release the song as a single. Francis told Billboard in May that she didn’t recall recording the song until she listened to it.
She told the media outlet, “It’s just a blessing to know that kindergarten kids know me and my music now. It’s thrilling.” This track is one of the 40 songs Francis recorded over four days in August 1961, according to Billboard.
UMe President/CEO Bruce Resnikoff Expressed His Condolences
In a statement, UMe president/CEO Bruce Resnikoff said, “From breaking barriers as the first female singer to top the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960, to going viral on TikTok at 87 with her infectious song ‘Pretty Little Baby,’ Connie Francis led a truly extraordinary life. She gave the world countless, timeless songs and inspired generations with her voice, resilience, and trailblazing spirit. Her passing deeply saddens us, but we take comfort in knowing she felt joyful and fulfilled in her final months as a new generation discovered her music and celebrated her legacy.”
Final Words
Connie Francis’s death signals the end of an era, but her music will live on forever. Francis wowed people of all ages, from topping the Billboard charts in the 1960s to going popular on TikTok more than 60 years later. Even though she faced many personal tragedies, she still embodied strength and devotion. Fans of all ages are celebrating her famous songs, like “Pretty Little Baby.” Connie Francis’s legacy will live on in the music world for many years to come.
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