Thursday, July 28, 2011

Forgotten Music -- Connie Francis

Everybody knows that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame sucks because everybody can name a favorite band (KISS, Chicago, etc.) or singer who's not in it. Let's talk about Connie Francis, the first female rock superstar. She's sold about a zillion records, but she's not in it. Not "street" enough for the Powers that Be, I guess. Too whitebread. Too nice. She's in my R 'n R Hall of Fame, though. Here's one of my favorites, a little country rocker:

And then there's this one, another one I like a lot:

I also think this one's fun:

Sure, Connie Francis sold a lot of ballads, but then so did the Platters. They're in there. Oh, well.

9 comments:

Deb said...

And let's never forget, "Where the Boys Are."

Jerry House said...

I really liked her stuff, but my sister LOVED her. There was a time when you couldn't go near my house without hearing Connie or the Everly Brothers.

Anonymous said...

Jackie's a big fan of both those songs. But then she also loves "Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces" by Dodie Stevens.

Jeff

Anonymous said...

Of course, "Stupid Cupid" was written for Connie by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield.

Jeff

Unknown said...

There's a great story behind that song. Supposedly Sedaka and Greenfield had played Connie about everything they had, and she was so bored that she was writing in her diary (you can see where this is going) until the finally tried "Stupid Cupid," which she jumped on immediately. And, yes, Sedaka's supposed to have written "The Diary" based on that experience. He offered that to Little Anthony and the Imperials, who turned it down. You know the rest.

George said...

Love Connie Francis. And, yes, she should be in THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME. So should Carole King.

Jody said...

Ah Connie! My husband's favorite female singer.

Steve Oerkfitz said...

George-Carole King is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Never cared for Connie Francis-always seemed like a female Pat Boone to me.

Unknown said...

Hey, Pat should be in there, too.