CONNIE FRANCIS STATEN ISLAND CONCERT
April 12, 2008.

Saturday, April 12, 2008 was a remarkable day for many Connie-fans including myself. Connie Francis performed for one night at the Saint George Theatre, built during the 1920’s and located on Staten Island’s North Shore Empire Zone.
A beautiful theatre, perhaps somewhat over gilded in its renovation, that once housed 3000 people and was a showcase for celebrities.
On Saturday morning we met Connie´s assistant and long time friend Pat Niglio in downtown Manhattan. He told us that Connie knew already that several fans from The Netherlands had come to New York, especially for this concert and that she insisted that her Dutch fans would attend rehearsal, so with Pat as our guide we took the Staten Island ferryboat and walked up to the theatre, located not far from the Staten Island ferry terminal. When we arrived at the theatre the 21 piece orchestra was already on stage and about an hour later Connie and her entourage arrived. Connie greeted us warmly and then entered the stage. We noticed that she was in excellent spirits and her voice was strong and clear. She did not rehearse every song she wanted to do that night, but worked amongst others on “Frankie”, “Fever” and “Among My Souvenirs” When she finished rehearsal we had the opportunity to meet and greet her once again and to present a photo book that we had made especially for her titled “Connie Francis, Queen Of Hearts: Connie In The Netherlands”, with all kinds of items related to what we would call her “Dutch career”. Connie asked if we all had contributed to the book “Among Our Souvenirs” and told us that she had read all the stories during the past weekend and that some of these stories had brought her to tears. She never realized that she could have such an impact on people’s lives!
After rehearsal we had dinner in a very nice restaurant not far from the theatre called “Besos” together with some friends from the USA. One of them introduced me to lovely Arlene Franconero (Connie’s sister-in-law, who was married to her brother George) and her present husband.
Then the big moment was there. We all returned to the theatre and waited until we could get inside and while waiting, we met some other Connie-fans who we, until then, only knew by name. Apart from many American fans, there were also fans from Switzerland, Belgium and Brazil.
When Connie entered the stage she was greeted with a standing ovation and she started with “Let Me Try Again”, followed by a medley of greatest hits with of course “Who’s Sorry Now”, “Frankie”, “Where The Boys Are” and “Among My Souvenirs”. I really was thrilled to hear her “Unchain My Heart” and when she did her stunning interpretation of “Fever” the audience went wild! She also sang “LA Vie En Rose” in excellent French (during this show she performed in five different languages!), Exodus/Havah Negilah, Malaguena and of course a medley of Italian songs including “Luna Caprese”. In between she talked to the audience and made jokes. Actually we were supposed to bring her flowers (roses and tulips) on stage during the show, but unfortunately we missed our “clou” and when we realized that it was too late to go on, because Connie said “Well, someone was supposed to bring me flowers, but they don’t show up, so I guess they gave them to Brenda Lee!”
The show ended with “God Bless America” and everybody stood up and sang together with Connie, a very moving moment. Before Connie finally left the stage she received several standing ovations. It was an unforgettable evening and for me personally a dream had come true!
After the show Connie returned for the “Meet and Greet” and did not leave before everyone had had the chance to meet her and to get autographs and make pictures. During this “Meet and Greet” we brought Connie the flowers and said “Connie, here are your flowers, we did not give them to Brenda Lee!”. She laughed.
After this remarkable and unforgettable day we had two more days to explore New York City, which is a fantastic and overwhelming place, with lots of interesting things to see and do. We were also lucky to have good weather with a lot of sunshine.
When we arrived on JFK Airport for our flight back to Amsterdam it appeared that our KLM flight had been cancelled and we had to wait for another 3 hours to come back on a Delta flight. But who cares, after having experienced such a wonderful week.
Reading reviews on other, earlier concerts it struck me that everyone always loves Connie and has a great time meeting her. Well, now that I have met her in person I can only say: it is true, not only is she a great artist, she is also a kind, wonderful and warm personality who really appreciates her fans!

Hans Künzel, The Netherlands

(thank you Hans for this great review !!!!)

photos (1) of Connie's Staten Island Concert

photos (2) of Connie's Staten Island Concert

by Rob Bailey
Thursday April 10, 2008, 1:00 AM

A pop legend is coming to S.I. & she's bringing her 21-piece orchestra & diehard fans with her

Something unusual started happening a few weeks ago -- we began getting random calls and e-mails from fans of a classic singer who was coming to play on Staten Island.

This never happens.

Sure, it was only a few (less than a dozen) fans for a classic (some might say golden oldies) headliner -- but it was still impressive. After all, Tony Bennett and Wayne Newton played the St. George Theatre, and nobody was breathlessly nagging us for details, details, details.

Perhaps that's why Connie Francis can get away with calling her concert tour "The Legend Continues."

One of pop music's first true sweethearts, the Jersey girl born Concetta Rosemarie Franconero racked up 35 millions record sales throughout the 1960s with global hits like "Everbody's Somebody's Fool," Stupid Cupid," "Who's Sorry Now" and "Where the Boys Are."

In 1974, her life took a dark turn when she was raped at knifepoint in the hotel she was staying at during her engagement at the Westbury Music Fair. Reluctant to face the public and suffering from severe depression, Francis didn't sing again for seven years. Gossip mongers said she had lost her voice due to complications from a nose job.

After a triumphant comeback at the 1981 Westbury Music Fair, her beloved brother, Georgie, was murdered gangland style.

But lots of singers have hits. Lots of stars have tabloid headlines. Few of them, however, are still here -- and Francis most definitely is. She recently played Carnegie Hall, and regularly tours the U.S., Europe and Far East.

Here's what Francis, who headlines at the St. George Theatre Saturday at 8 p.m. (tickets, which are $47.50-$115, can be purchased at 718-442-2900), told AWE about her music, her fans and her career plans.

AWE: You have a massive catalog. Are there any songs you just get sick of singing?
CONNIE: Most of my hits -- like every singer. But I'm not in the business of pleasing myself. I want the show to appeal to the audience, so my personal favorites have nothing to do with it.

AWE: Do you have a private wish list? A particular song you would give anything to perform?
CONNIE: Yes -- "As Time Goes Bye." (sighs) I have always wanted to record it.

AWE: It doesn't matter how many hits you have if you don't have fan devotion. You still perform around the world. Do you think it's because you've been very human with your audience, sharing good times and bad -- way before doing that was in style?
CONNIE: Absolutely. The fans wrote a book "Connie Francis: Among Our Souvenirs," about their personal experiences with me. I read it last week and was surprised find out how I was part of their lives. They named their animals after me, my father, my mother, brother, my son. My fans are the best. At the show I just did Saturday, they came from Texas, England, Germany. The one thing I really do have is gratitude.

AWE: Do you ever just want your privacy back or regret being so open?
CONNIE: No. I've done that since I was 19 years old. My life is an open book. No facet hasn't been in print.

AWE: I can only assume you've experienced some extreme shows of devotion.
CONNIE: One particular fan from Germany spent 17 years trying to reach me. He was in East Berlin, the communist sector, and was picked up by KGB 26 times for trying to get in touch with me. I wrote him a letter saying "Jurgeon, someday when the wall comes down" ... and in 1987 we did meet.

AWE: You're currently touring with a 21-piece orchestra, which is really rare in this age of canned music.
CONNIE: Oh, it's a delight. With live music like this, it's like being at a full recording session. Very rarely did I overdub. I had to have an orchestra do it live in the studio -- with me performing at the same time. It's an incredible feeling, inspiring.

AWE: What do you make of all this Pro-Tools, quickie recording technology that's the norm these days.
CONNIE: I think it's too mechanical, really, but that's just my own personal taste. I have a recording session on Wednesday for a song I wrote with Neil Sedake -- I wrote the words, he wrote music. I called the company expert in and said, "I just want to lay down demo track now, not the full record." He said, "Oh, we can do that right now on the computer. What kind of guitar do you want? What sound?" It just seems to me that an orangutan could sound good today.

AWE: From the time you were 4 to 18, you really worked the TV talent show circuit. Any thoughts on "American Idol"?
CONNIE: I think it's a wonderful platform for young performers. When I saw Carrie Underwood perform for the first time, I thought she would be a great star. Now she has a Grammy. But this isn't really new. Way before "American Idol" it was "American Bandstand," and everything Dick Clark played would become a hit.

AWE: There have been rumors for several years that Gloria Estefan was going to play you in a feature film based on your autobiography. Is it happening?
CONNIE: Yes. I saw her say she wanted to play me on TV, so we had lunch and hit it off. We're hoping to film it by the end of the year. I've worked for several years on the script. It's so difficult to know what to know what to leave in and leave out.

AWE: At 69, you've outlasted most of your peers professionally. Any thoughts on hanging up the towel?
CONNIE: I think to retire is to expire. Donald Trump's father told me that. I asked him, "You're 91 and you go into office very day -- why do you do it?" He said, "To retire is to expire." That's my motto now.

(source: Silive.com Everything Staten Island)

article

Saturday, March 15, 2008
8:00 PM


Coral Springs Center for the Arts

2855 Coral Springs Dr
Coral Springs, Florida 33065
(Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps)

Category
Music
Description
Connie Francis
“The Legend Continues”
With A Full 21-Piece Orchestra At
Coral Springs Center For The Arts

Saturday March 15 at 8pm

TICKETS: All seats $81.62

Englewood Cliffs, NJ (February 19, 2008) – Florida’s own Connie Francis an original teen idol, will be performing live at Coral Springs Center For The Arts. Catapulting to international fame in 1958 at the age of 19 with the hit, "Who's Sorry Now." Francis was the first female singer to have a rock-and-roll million seller with “Stupid Cupid,” a Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield song. Her signature song, “Where The Boys Are,” also by Sedaka and Greenfield, became the title song of her classic teen film of the same name, and in 1984, it became the title of her autobiography.
Connie’s rapid and stellar success, from little Concetta Rosemarie Franconero of Newark, N.J. to international sensation, was largely due to the incredible influence of a weekly television show and its host. Dick Clark of American Bandstand introduced her song “Who's Sorry Now” on January 1, 1958 saying, "Here is a new girl singer that is heading straight for the number one spot." In those days, if Clark played a record it was an instantaneous hit, and Connie’s breakthrough song sold over a million copies within six months of its release. She was the most played recording artist on radio in the early 1960s.
Her tremendous popularity was previously unheard of in the music industry. She charted thirty-five hit singles, half of which were in the National Top Ten, selling over 100 million records, including 10 gold records in a two-year period. In Dick Clark’s 1959 poll, she and her boyfriend, Bobby Darrin, were voted “Most Popular Male and Female Vocalist.” Francis appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show forty-two times, the most of any performer.
Though her hits made her a household name, Connie’s legitimate vocal talents and her unique ability to deliver a song in many different languages, garnered her universal critical acclaim and continue to fuel her very successful career well into its 5th decade. She has recorded over three thousand songs, speaks two languages fluently, and has recorded albums in ten languages for her enormous international fan base.
Today her live performances encompass a wide range of genres and styles, in addition to her established hits, which audiences always want to hear. She uses video and film footage that recreates the atmosphere of the era, including original American Bandstand footage with Dick Clark. "I try to do what I know will please the audiences what pleases me is unimportant. I didn't buy a ticket," says Connie. Her band is fabulous, their choreography right on cue. Connie Francis, one of the most emotionally evocative singers in the business, remains as elegant and impressive, and as charismatic with her audiences, as ever before.
Coral Springs Center for the Arts
2855 Coral Springs Drive
Coral Springs, FL 33065

For tickets, call 954.344.5999 or www.corlspringscenterforthearts.com for details

For Press information contact: Angela Thomas: (201) 503-1333

For more information about Connie Francis, visit her official website at http://www.conniefrancis.com/
###

Homepage
http://www.corlspringscenterforthearts.com
source: Upcoming Events Yahoo

Florida's own Connie Francis, an original teen idol, will be performing live with a 21-piece orchestra at Coral Springs Center For The Arts. Catapulting to international fame in 1958 at the age of 19 with the hit, Who's Sorry Now, Francis was the first female singer to have a rock 'n roll million seller with Stupid Cupid. Her signature song, Where The Boys Are became the title song of her classic teen film of the same name, and in 1984, it became the title of her autobiography. Connie's rapid and stellar success, from little Concetta Rosemarie Franconero of Newark, New Jersey to international sensation, was largely due to the influence of weekly television shows and hosting a show. She charted 35 hit singles, half of which were in the Top 10, selling more than 100 million records, including 10 gold records in a two-year period. Connie's vocal talents and her unique ability to deliver a song in many different languages garnered her universal critical acclaim and continue to fuel her very successful career well into its fifth decade. She has recorded more than 3,000 songs, speaks two languages fluently and has recorded albums in 10 languages for her enormous international fan base.

Today Connie's live performances encompass a wide range of genres and styles, in addition to her established hits that audiences always want to hear. She uses video and film footage that recreates the atmosphere of the era, including original American Bandstand footage with Dick Clark. She remains as elegant and impressive, and as charismatic with her audiences, as ever before.

source: Palm Beach Post

Connie Francis' rendezvous with her Filipino fans

By Neil Ray Ramos

She came, she saw, she conquered.

It might have been long overdue, but nonetheless Filipino fans gave
music legend Connie Francis a rousing welcome when she performed
recently at the Araneta Coliseum.

The diva couldn't be happier.

"I've always wanted to come over. I've received tons of fan mail from
the Philippines even from way back and I always thought it would be
great to do a concert here," she said prior to the concert.

"It confirmed it for me. Back home, I've never met a Filipino I
didn't like. Now, being here and feeling the love and warmth of the
people—I really feel a strong affinity for the Filipinos. I think I'm
a Filipino at heart."

It was a long time ago when Francis became famous. It was in 1958 in
fact. But fans remember it like it was yesterday.

I was in high school when "Who's Sorry Now?" became a hit. My friends
and I, we all used to sing it together. To finally see Connie perform
it live after so many years of waiting…wow, it's simply amazing,"
shared Jemimah Luz, 69, who lamented the fact that she can't share
the memory with her best friends.

"They've all gone to heaven," she whispered with a sad smile.

For Tony Francisco, 62, to finally see her boyhood crush was
totally "out there."

"She's really something else. She still looks as pretty as ever. This
concert is such a trip even for Valentine's, " said the "very hip"
gent who got to watch the concert courtesy of his Godson, Jun
Ribonete, 49. "He'd always talk about her and how she has colored her
younger days. So when I learned that Connie Francis is coming to do a
concert I reserved a good seat for him."

Performing for a jam-packed crowd that included celebrities,
politicians and everything in between, Connie Francis was in her
element. Still very much sprightly [not that she actually did some
somersaults or splits but for her age…], the singer gave her all,
even doing the odd number.

"Some of these songs I've to re-learn. It's been so long I've
forgotten most of the words," she admitted with a wry smile.

There were some moments at the concert that her voice was ready to
give up even as she would turn her back to the audience to hit the
high notes; but no one complained; everybody seems to be having too
good a time.

"Her voice is still the best in pop music. Your Britney Spears or
Madonna wouldn't be worthy next to her," declared one proud lola.

Ironically, Francis compared herself to Madonna earlier during our
interview. "I was the Madonna of my time," quipped the artist who was
once linked with Bobby Darin and Frank Sinatra.

So what's next for Francis?

"I'm actually writing songs with Neil [Sedaka], who was responsible
for many of her hits including "Stupid Cupid"] again. When I get back
to the States, I hope we will be able to do an album's worth of
material."

Well, you are always welcome in our world Connie. "In bocca al lupo!"



__._,_.___

Connie Francis at the Big Dome: At peace at 69

By Pocholo Concepcion
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:28:00 02/13/2008


It seems that American pop hit-maker Connie Francis has finally found the happiness that eluded her at the height of her stardom in the 1960s, and the peace of mind she had sought after a harrowing incident in the ’70s.

Now 69, Francis, who recorded some of the world’s most popular songs in her time -- among them “Who’s Sorry Now,” “Where the Boys Are,” “Tammy” and “Stupid Cupid” -- is still active as a concert performer.

In a phone conversation on Tuesday, she told Philippine Daily Inquirer she was glad to finally visit Manila, among her biggest fan bases, even if it’s just for a one-night Valentine concert on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

read more about this article at:

"Breaking News"

source: Inquirer.net
Copyright 2008 Philippine Daily Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

more articles to Connie's visit to the Phillipines at:

The Phillipino Global Community

Manila Bulletin

Malaya National Newspaper

Connie Francis International Fanclub

Ron Gunter's Connie Collection
Here is a unique opportunity to purchase gently used and lovingly cared for Connie CDs and LPs. Many of the items in the late Ron Gunter's "Connie Collection" are one-of-a-kind, rare and/or out of print. Ron and Connie enjoyed a personal and professional relationship for many years. Ron was an entertainer who loved Connie, performed her songs and promoted her career on cruise ships throughout the world. During Ron’s travels, his first stops in every port when he got off a ship would be old music stores to look for anything related to Connie. Now Ron’s “Connie Collection” is available to Connie’s fans. For more information and for any questions, please contact Linda Torrence at ltsinger@tampabay.rr.com

List of available LP and CD : LP and CD.pdf
List of available 45 singles : 45 singles.pdf

"Connie On Stage"

is the theme of the Spring 2008 fan club newsletter. Included are many stage photos of Connie through the years.

Connie Francis International Fanclub

Five decades have passed since Connie Francis saw her breakthrough as a recording artist with her smash hit "Who's sorry now". Fifty years… a time to celebrate. A time to celebrate this special, wonderful lady who has touched the hearts of millions of music lovers all over the world. And who could pay the respects to Ms. Connie Francis better than her fans? So here's a small collection of memories. Memories remembered and written by some of Connie's most loyal fans. As you will see from the locations of the authors, Connie Francis has captured the hearts of people from all over the world.
(129 pagina's ) Hardcover: €15.99
CASEWRAP HARDCOVER EDITION

(129 pagina's ) Hardcover: €19.98
HARDCOVER EDITION WITH COVER JACKET

(129 pagina's ) Paperback: €11.99
TRADE PAPERBACK EDITION

(154 pagina's ) Paperback: €7.99
POCKET BOOK EDITION

(80 pagina's ) Download: €3.99

order Among our Souvenirs

Connie in San Francisco at Castro Theatre
October 13, 2007


Very good, Connie's presentation was strong at this show, orchestra very in tune with everything. Bobby Hammon (of Style Five Salon in Las Vegas), one of Connie's piasanos who follow her everywhere, summed up the show as, "She bowled them over!" (I asked to elaborate) "as in bowling, Connie knocked the audience down." And yes, everyone was definitely wowed at this performance. Singing Edith Piaf's "La Vie en Rose" seems that Connie's strongest singing strengths are in other languages but yet her standards are always great as she did with Frank Sinatra's song.

Unlike the recent Boston newspaper article saying Connie ran through her monologe like reading from a script, this performance Connie was relaxed and having fun with it like in a conversation. She talked about all the places she has been at with Bobby Grauso (this concert here, performance there, going to Vietnam, etc). and of course, "how long have we been together?" Bobby answered, "47 years!" Connie then said, "nobody say what my age is!"

Connie wore a pants suit outfit first part of show, and then a stunning black dress for second part of show. Her hair was nice and poofy and makeup very glamourous with sparkly stuff (for you makeover artist let me know the correct technical term). She should have done a professional photoshoot and would be able to make considerable profit selling the prints.

Sound system was pretty good, though this theatre by its inherent design from the 1920s makes poor acoustics for such a concert arrangement but Don Tittle must have done his magic because you can clearly her Connie's voice. Maybe some instruments were a little off but you have to be a professional audiophile to spot such. However, this is live, this is the real person, what you see and here is for real. No lipsyncing crap to some CD (recorded by another artist). You get the real Connie at her shows.

Michael Dardenelle stopped by where I was sitting so we swapped Connie stories, glad he tracked me down because I had no idea where to find him (not sure what he looked like). I did see many other fans there as well: Paulette, Cora, Eric, Fran, Nick, Bobby.... Michael talked about the shirt and the difficult logistics of putting it together. He and Mike Church emailed back and forth regarding the artwork and none of them saw the final product until it was finished. Shirts were a big sell at the concert. Earlier in the day, Connie thanked Michael for the work involved in making them. The colors on the shirt are brilliant.

I saw Connie briefly at the meet and greet (and yes I told her how much I enjoyed the show). It was a long line of fans but I had her autograph the Italian Favorites album for the Italian American Heritage Foundation , I also gave her a hardcopy of the paragraph from Nick Clooney's article in Cincinnati Post of what he wrote regarding Connie and Madonna in music. I printed the page from Jonathon's March concert countdown webpage (I told Connie to not feel too pressured to start on time).

Took lotsa photos, most photos were too blurry, ones that are reasonable have some blur but hopefully it gives the motions at the time. It is difficult to capture the moment, you have to be there to experience it. Many others took photos and most likely very good ones so send them! Someone asked me a list of all the songs she performed (I didn't tally these) but many others (and you know who you are) can write more definitive music analysis than I can so send it to me for my concert review page.

Photos shown in the background screen along with many video scenes from the fan magazines ("My Father Kept Me A Prisoner!" maybe the only true fan magazine story?). Of course Bobby Darin shown, including the duet they did on Ed Sullivan with Connie wearing the beautiful white dress.

One of the new photos shown in backdrop was one of Connie with Frank Sinatra. Fan club also mailed this photo to members in quarterly newsletter prior to this show.

Some other things on the concert: I spoke briefly with Scottie Haskell about her singing in commercials and movies. I asked what was the most interesting works, she said all of it was enjoyable. Scottie was able to do the solo performance at the opening of Paris Las Vegas which she spent considerable practice to sing well in French. She said singing for the movie, "Matrix Revisited" was particularly challenging as it meant reading a "sandscript." I wanted to find out more as I'm sure she has many interesting stories with all the work in many commercials and movies. Her father is Jimmie Haskell, a composer who worked with many performers including Bobby Darin, and he is still active. His webpage is Jimmie Haskell. Another photo of Scottie at terikoide

I also talked to Nick who guided Connie from the back to the main stage. Castro theatre stage has a narrow segment for Connie to enter from left, it is only two feet wide with a 18 inch drop at the stairs (which is why she did not enter from the audience rear). Nick had to make sure Connie does not veer off and not trip on a number of cables with bright spotlight on her.

I heard there is not much room behind the stage curtains and behind the stage are cables everywhere with lots of opportunities to trip and fall.

About Connie's performance, between songs she said she wanted to move around the stage more but there is not much room. I think she wanted to be more expressive and dance around more if it wasn't for all the speakers and cables taking up what space was left on the stage floor.

Orchestra members, local hires, are always good at Connie's shows. She only brings Bobby Grauso, Doug Walters and Don Tittle. But then some concerts have orchestra members better than others. I think these guys were exceptional because Doug spent more time playing the piano instead of directing the orchestra. During the intermission, the orchestra members were relaxed with smiles and chit-chats.

Sheet music shows the overture written by Peter Matzo in Feb 1985.

As far as elouquet elaborate review with excellent prose on the concert, I rely on others to provide that. For me it is basically the usual "I enjoy her concerts, her singing, she's beautiful, I want to date her, etc, etc, etc...."


source: Connie Francis International Fanclub

"New York Loves Connie"
Connie was among the featured performers in "Neil Sedaka: 50 Years of Hits" on Friday, October 26 at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center. The other performers included the Captain & Tennille, Natalie Cole and Clay Aiken. After Connie sang "Where the Boys Are," the audience went wild. Connie was the ONLY one of Neil's guests who received a standing ovation from the entire audience of nearly 3,000. She also teamed with Neil for "Stupid Cupid." This was Connie's first New York City concert appearance since she headlined at Carnegie Hall in 1993.

-----------------------------------------
A concert of Neil's songs performed
by Neil and many friends.
Friday, October 26
at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center


FEATURING:

Natalie Cole
Connie Francis
Clay Aiken
Dion
Captain & Tennille
Paul Shaffer
David Foster
Renee Olstead
The Bad Plus
Cousin Brucie Morrow
Lou Christie
and, of course, Neil Sedaka!
Produced by Michael Dorf

Neil Sedaka