Connie Francis, Beloved Singer Behind ‘Pretty Little Baby’, Dies at 87

The music world is mourning the loss of Connie Francis, the legendary voice who brought us timeless hits like “Pretty Little Baby.” She was 87.

Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero, Francis became a pop sensation in the 1960s, capturing hearts with iconic songs such as “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” and “My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own.” Her name became synonymous with the golden era of American pop music.

On July 17, her longtime friend Ron Roberts took to Facebook to announce her passing. “With deep sorrow and a heavy heart, I share the news that my dear friend Connie Francis passed away last night,” he wrote. “I know Connie would want her fans to be among the first to know.” Roberts added that more information would be shared soon.

Though it had been decades since she released new music—her last recordings date back to the 1990s—Francis found herself back in the spotlight recently when her 1961 hit “Pretty Little Baby” exploded in popularity on TikTok.

The viral resurgence was sparked in part by North West, whose post featuring the song ignited a wave of nostalgia and admiration among TikTok users. Countless others soon joined in, giving new life to a classic tune.

Connie was deeply moved by the unexpected attention. In a heartfelt Facebook post, she expressed her gratitude: “Thanks to TikTok and everyone involved for the surprising and delightful reception to ‘Pretty Little Baby.’”

She recalled how she first found out: “Ron called me and said I had a ‘viral hit’—and, not being up to date with the latest lingo, I asked him, ‘What does that even mean?’”

Her message ended with a sincere thank you to her fans, making it clear how much their support meant to her.

The outpouring of love didn’t stop there. Fans flooded the comments, thrilled to see Francis gaining recognition from a new generation. “This is a wonderful way to reintroduce your amazing voice to younger listeners,” one fan wrote. Another added, “It’s about time the youth hear what real music sounds like!”

Others expressed their joy that Francis was receiving long-overdue praise: “So happy for you, Connie. I don’t even use TikTok, but this is so special. Your music deserves all the love.”

Just days before her death, Connie had updated her followers about her health, sharing that she had been in the ICU due to “severe pain.” On July 4, she posted that she was “feeling much better” and sent warm wishes to everyone for Independence Day.

Though she’s no longer with us, Connie Francis leaves behind a rich musical legacy—and thanks to a new generation of listeners, her voice continues to echo through time.