On March 29, 1959, Connie Francis made a memorable appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. Now, 66 years later, her performance of “Come Rain Or Come Shine” is back in the spotlight as the latest addition to the show’s YouTube channel. This jazz standard, from the Broadway musical St. Louis Woman, was also the opening track on her 1959 album, The Exciting Connie Francis.
At that time, Francis was on the rise, with her biggest hits still ahead. In 1960, she became the first woman to top the Billboard Hot 100 with “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool.” This was just the beginning, as she went on to score more hits like “My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own” and “Don’t Break The Heart That Loves You.” AllMusic Guide even calls her “the prototype for the female pop singer of today.”
Before her passing last month at age 83, Francis experienced a surprising career revival this year. Her 1962 song “Pretty Little Baby” went viral on TikTok, leading to renewed interest and chart success more than six decades after its release. Since her death, her music has continued to gain attention, with the reissue of her holiday album Christmas In My Heart and over 100 of her songs now available on streaming services.
The Ed Sullivan Show, which aired from 1948 to 1971, is also enjoying renewed interest. It was a key platform for stars like the Beatles and Elvis Presley and played an important role in showcasing Black talent during segregation.
Check out Connie Francis’s music on vinyl or CD now!
