Connie Francis Forum Part 3

Last update: 9/2/97

Contents (entry date)

Connie Francis At 40th Anniversary Celebration Of American Bandstand (8/23/97)
From Russia With Love (8/11/97)
Connie's "Up close & Personal" Auction (8/11/97)

On August 5, 1957 American Bandstand made its debut on national TV with Dick Clark as host. To commemorate the 40th anniversary of this date, an outdoor ceremony was held at the former TV studio at 46th and Market Streets in Philadelphia where the show originally aired. Dick Clark, Mayor Ed Rendell, and Governor Tom Ridge were present for the unveiling of a historic plaque honoring the show and its host.

I was among the several hundred people who watched the festivities. The guests included local politicians, CEO's, radio DJ's and rock-and-roll icons Connie Francis, Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, Fabian, Charlie Gracie, and the remaining members of the Dovells and Danny and the Juniors.

American Bandstand was the springboard for launching the careers of many of rock-and-roll early stars including Connie Francis and Connie was there to pay her respects. She was introduced by a DJ from local radio station WOLG with these remarks: "She gave us so many great hits. Just a wonderful lady and still going strong. Connie Francis." After a round of applause, Connie, now a redhead and looking very elegant, spoke these words: "Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. I would not have missed this day for anything - being here with my best friend in the business, Mr. Dick Clark. Congratulations Philadelphia and congratulations Dick."

The day's festivities continued with Chubby Checker lip-syncing his oldies hit "The Twist" and the Mayor and Governor dancing to it on stage. Later in the day, dance parties and record hops were held at several area nightclubs to pay tribute to American Bandstand and its "regulars" (the original Bandstand dancers whose regular appearance on the show earned them celebrity status).

Editors Note:
Connie appeared with Dick Clark along with Bobby Rydell, Fabian, and Chubby Checker on the original stage during the broadcast of ABC's Good Morning America.

Dick said that he wasn't really scared about doing the first show since he had done many live TV shows before. But he was frightened because everyone said, "Who would watch a TV show from Philadelphia with kids dancing." In reality, everyone did. Connie said she watched American Bandstand everyday, "I run home from school, turn on the TV, watch little Peggy to learn her dance steps, see who else was on the show..."

Connie said one of the things how Dick Clark made American Bandstand successful is that he spoke to teenagers as equals.

Editor's Note: It is said that Connie's music transcends any and all boundaries and here is another example of how she does it in Anatoly's article. Even during the Cold War, Connie's voice leaped over the Iron Curtain and entertained millions.

I would like to begin with the phrase, "Everyone in Russia knows the name of Connie Francis," but I have to begin as follows: "Half of male population in Russia (I cannot vouch for females), who were from 14 to 20 in 1964 to 1966 know and recognize the voice of Connie Francis." Her songs were popular here and were chain copied from tape recorder to tape recorder. Kiss'n'Twist headed the list.

Kiss'n'Twist was used in an obsolete Soviet film, the name that nobody remembers now. In the 1964 film, the song can be heard from a window of a private house (we call them "dacha") of a well-to-do family, which lived above the average level and that was strongly criticized at the time. But the song caught the public's fancy, before this we heard only Chubby Checker Do The Twist.

Back then, nobody here knew the name of the singer, but everybody immediately recognized the voice. The most known numbers by Connie were Kiss'n'Twist, thanks to the film mentioned above, Stupid Cupid, Who's Sorry Now, Vacation, and Dat's Love. The last one gained a special position on our tape recorders, because it was based on Bizet's "Carmen," and it was immensely popular in Russia. Though western popular music and jazz were unofficially forbidden here, we had our fill of western "approved" classics.

It was a very peculiar period in the USSR history. Though Nikita Khruschev permitted an "icebreak" in 1961 by letting some patterns of western culture reach us and even greeted Benny Goodman when he visited Moscow, it was frowned at and rebuked if you listened to the western music.

When I joined a local university in 1964 to become a certified metallurgist, up to graduation in 1969 I kept from publicly mentioning that I liked to listen to Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Connie Francis to avoid trouble and even (in extreme cases) possible expulsion from the university. The Komsomol organization (Young Communists League) watched closely our morale standing, and to be caught at liking Western music or at listening to Western radio stations would be claimed as "anti-morale" with all the consequences. The ruling word was "propaganda", and it was an integral feature of the Cold War here. In USA they also had a sort of witch-hunting then for "Reds-under-the-beds." Our main source of information were radio broadcasts, which we caught with our "cats whiskers". They were BBC World Service, which always transmitted current popular tunes, and, of course, "The Voice Of America", Willis Conover, also a bevy of European stations.

About LPs: There was the only one record-printing company in the USSR. It had the label "Melodya," and on its four pressing lines issued all the huge output of records, consumed in the country. Two most popular 10" records series, that introduced western singers to us in 1961 to 1966 were "Around The World," of which 13 issues were printed, and "From Melody To Melody." There was a third popular series of 10 inch LPs printed in USSR in from 1961 to 1966, entitled "Musical Kaleidoscope," and in one of LPs in this series Connie Francis Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah was presented.Connie Francis was introduced to us by only one song. Such names as Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Frankie Laine, Doris Day, Les Paul, Pat Boone, and Ray Conniff were represented by a very few songs each. Connie Francis was represented by only one song. Solo LPs by western entertainers were printed in this country much later. The "luckiest" ones are Duke Ellington (seven LPs issued in this country by now), Count Basie (six LPs), Ray Conniff (three LPs).

Back to the 1960's: Foreign-made LPs were very rare here. They crossed the border only in a luggage of diplomats and journalists, and were sold and resold here for a very pretty penny. To get a foreign LP, it could cost you from 15 to 25 rubles (with then exchange rate it was from $20 to $35 per LP). Monthly wages of qualified workers then were from 150 to 250 rubles. My first Connie Francis LP was acquired then.

Having limited availability of LPs has its positive (?) aspect. You cannot be very choosy and not likely to become a fanatical fan of only one singer, because you "buy, steal or borrow" all LPs your finances allow and your hands can get. You become a fan of a musical trend, in which vein you form your collection. I have a moderate section of Frank Sinatra, Pat Boone, Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and others in this line. But Connie Francis stands apart from them. Borrowing an expression from Oscar Wilde: "It produces vibration." No one can be indifferent to the mold (or, being a metallurgist, I may say "alloy") of her music her voice. In my praise of her I am not alone, my wife and daughter respect and share my feelings. They start making frantic twisting movements when I run Stupid Cupid.

Editors Note: Here is a list of specific songs by Connie released in Russia from the discographies:

Zip A Dee Do Da
Will You Still Be Mine
My Kind Of Guy
Ma! He's Making Eyes At Me

Soon after her father passed away, singer Connie Francis decided that it was time for her mother Ida to come to Florida with her. This meant that Connie, who had been dividing her time living between Florida and New Jersey, would be selling two homes, and also have many years of storage to pack and move.

A friend suggested that this would be a nice time to give her fans (many of who are serious collectors of her things) an opportunity to buy the things she could not take to with her. An auction seemed like the best way to do it, which was held on June 22, 1997 at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, New Jersey.

The auction consisted mostly of Connie clothing; gowns, casual, hats, decorations for her hair, bathing suits, shoes, belts, an American flag sweater, clutches, pocketbooks, evening bags, home decorations, her very first doll, a teddy bear, and her son Joey's bank.

There were some mementos that included a British award plaque, 24x30 inch portrait, 16 Magazine award, and a special poster card for Connie's 21st birthday.

There were six models constantly changing into various gowns and dresses, and Connie's hairdresser, Libby, also modeled some of the gowns.

Connie and her mom arrived shortly before it began to meet the early arrivals. She later retreated to one of the hotel rooms with mom and did not appear until the last half hour of the auction. Connie ascended to the podium and thanked everyone for coming. She went on to explain why she did not remain during the auction. "I couldn't bear to see items for which I paid thousands of dollars being sold for a hundred or less." She then told us, "However, I can glad that they are purchased by people who mean a great deal to me, you my friends and fans."

Pat Singer was shopping for a piano for her daughter Kelly but had no intentions to bid on Connie's piano because it seemed there would be too much competition. She unexpectingly found that she could competively bid and managed to buy the piano.

Connie autographed the rear of the piano for Pat's daughter Connie's note to Kelly. Kelly has been playing endless concertos ever since the piano was delivered to the Singer residence.

The turnout was not as high as first hoped for because of the short notice and various logistics issues. But many of Connie's devoted fans did attend and purchased the most valuable items which are sure to be saved in most the thoughtful care. [This picture of the stage was taken later in the day when the pace picked up since there were still a number of items yet to be bidded.].

The auction was an experience Diana Ambrose will never forget. She never knew how many people adored Connie as much as she does. When Connie walked through the door with that huge smile on her face, the whole crowd lit up with excitement. Connie looked fantastic. She was happy to autograph the denim jacket Diana "won" (Diana added that NJ misses CF).

Ken Kirchein mentioned that Connie looked tired and figured the work of selling the homes and moving to Florida is a major undertaking, he also said Connie was a real trooper though! She remained long after the auction to sign autographs and pose for pictures with everyone and left only when everyone was finished. Ken adds, "Connie must have inherited her kindness from her mom. Ida Franconero is the sweetest person you could ever meet. She went out of her way to say a hello to everyone she could."

Editors Note: Many fans showed up early and pitched in a helping hand to move in and set up all the merchandise. Thanks to all that helped! Sandra Casacalenda, Jim Antinone, Pat Singer, Kelly Singer, Gerry Penner, Carrie Lobe, Laura Salcone, Becky Malanga, Erin Christensen, Art, Bob, Richard, and there were others but I did not get their names (sorry!).