TORONTO, Canada (Foxy 88.5 FM press release) - Connie Francis was sensational at the Toronto Centre for the Arts Concert on May 29th 2004. served as the promotional host and did it with class!
George R. Henaut, author of With Love, With Connie, met Connie for the first time!
On May 29th 2004 a dream came true! I finally experienced my first live Connie Francis concert. It was an incredible evening!
Toronto's Foxy 88.5 FM radio station which defines itself as "Radio with Class" served as promotional host for the Connie Francis Concert at the Toronto Centre of the Arts.
Everything about the concert was first class. The Centre itself is an outstanding concert hall with exceptional acoustics. No one in the audience was further than 85 feet from Connie and her magnificent 20 piece orchestra. My wife, Pauline, and I had front row seats and were able to meet and greet Connie following the concert. Seated beside us was a lady who was enjoying her tenth Connie Francis concert. We were surrounded by fans who identified with Connie's career and her personal tragedies, "the survivor" as Dick Clark labeled her on A&E's Biography. But it was the legendary entertainer that we came to experience and we were not disappointed.
For fans who have a copy of the 1995 CD or video, "The Return Concert: Connie Francis Live at Trump's Castle" or fans who have been at a recent concert, you will have experienced much of the programme we enjoyed at the Toronto Concert; including the audio-visual presentation, the songs, and the dialogue. The programme included her familiar hits: Who's Sorry Now, Stupid Cupid/Lipstick On Your Collar/ Everybody's Somebody's Fool, Among My Souvenirs, Don't Break the Heart That Loves You, Vacation, Many Tears Ago, Where the Boys Are and Mama. She included several tributes: Buddy Holly, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Rock and Roll, and Country Music. Toronto has a large Italian population and the audience loved the Italian medley. Everyone was touched by Let Me Try Again and her final song Maybe This Time. She received several standing ovations! MC Gary Gamble presented Connie with a spectacular bouquet. Her encore was a tribute to Sept 9/11: Brother Can You Spare a Dime?
L
ong before attending the concert, Pauline and I had enjoyed on numerous occasions the comprehensive web sites created by Mike Wright and John Donatelli, Jr. Mike Wright's site opens with: "She has the knack of wrenching the emotions with her powerhouse voice. Connie's music, transcending any and all boundaries, is capable of taming the beast, soothing the wounded heart and lifting the fallen spirit." John brands Connie as "Incomparable"! We now more fully appreciate the branding and the powerhouse description.
Gary Gamble, the aimiable host of Foxy's Morning Show was the MC for the evening. He began by feigning annoyance at a smudge on his collar, exclaiming; "Lipstick On My Collar", but "Who's Sorry Now". Connie walked on stage and into our hearts looking lovely in a three-piece ankle-length dress of dark charcoal lace and elegant jeweled sandals. Her low neckline was enhanced by a sparkling necklace with her upswept hairstyle revealing matching earrings.
The audience was hushed throughout the entire performance; listening to every word of dialogue, cherishing every familiar note sung by the foremost female singer/entertainer of the golden age of Rock and Roll; a singer who has earned the title as the world's biggest-selling female singer of all time. She has been on the top of the charts simultaneously in 15 countries. From the late fifties to the early sixties, she charted thirty-five hit singles, of which half were in the national Top Ten. Connie was the first female singer to have a rock and roll million seller with Stupid Cupid. She appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show forty-two times, the most of any performer. She has recorded over three thousand songs, speaks two languages fluently, and has recorded albums in ten languages.
From the moment the orchestra played the first notes of one of her hits, the hall was charged with anticipation, excitement, and profoundly appreciative applause! We relived our past as she sang of hers. We appreciated her ability to laugh at herself , to go beyond her tragedies, to reach out to us! We were enthralled as one always is in the midst of greatness. Here was a singer who did not require smoke, fireworks, a synchronized light and sound show, floating chairs, precision dancing, to showcase her talent. All she required was a powerful voice, a magnetic presence and a gifted conductor with an orchestra as she captivated us to journey together down our shared memory lane.
We watched her every movement. The black grand piano with its vase of exquisite red roses became part of her as she touched the piano affectionately, leaned on it, and later climbed three steps to sit on it. Connie's mood changed as the music tempo changed. Much of the time, she was reflective, singing from the depths of her being, but she could just as easily smile, snap her fingers, sway her body to the upbeat rhythm of Stupid Cupid or Vacation.
Following the concert those who had purchased a meet and greet package were able to enjoy a wine and cheese reception with Connie. The ladies all received a single red long stemmed rose; the rose will undoubtedly be treasured among their souvenirs. Connie graciously signed pictures, CD's, books, etc. This is the type of evening that dreams are made of! Who's Sorry Now? Definitely not the 1800 who attended the Connie Francis Show at the Toronto Centre of the Arts.
