Connie Francis’ career is a testament to tenacity. Born in New Jersey, Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero had her name changed by a TV host and was turned down by some 16 labels before landing a record deal. Those struggles vanished when her cover of the 1920s classic “Who’s Sorry Now”—which she recorded in one take—made her a pop star. The innocently longing “Where the Boys Are” remains one of the beach-flick era’s most well-known ballads, but Francis’ interpretative skills helped her adapt to any musical curveball—whether it was recording albums of Italian-language standards, going country, or showing off her rocker-girl bravado. Francis passed away on July 16, 2025 at the age of 87.