Back in 1986 a new addition to the music scene made its debut in Cleveland, Ohio, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Since then, it has become somewhat of a shrine to the performers, writers, musicians, producers, etc. who have made rock and roll history by their collective talents and efforts. But like the Oscars. Emmys, Tonys and Grammys, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has fumbled the ball on a number of occasions by snubbing certain artists who belong in the hall. Here, in 2024 with their announcement of this year’s inductees, most of which I have no problem with, they have once again ignored one of the great rock and roll performers of all time. Once again, as it has done since 1986, they give no explanation why this performer has been ignored for almost forty years from having their rightful place in the hall.

So, who is this performer that has been shut out all these years? I am speaking of the very first female rock and roll era star, Connie Francis.

If there is anyone who deserves to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame it is Ms. Francis. She was not just a one hit wonder in the 50’s, she was a singer with record after record on the charts, best selling albums, TV appearances, movies, worldwide fame and a career that lasted all the way into the 1980’s. I began my radio career in 1954 and when rock and roll came along, and Connie Francis made her debut, the studio phones never stopped ringing with requests for Connie Francis. Even though there was Elvis, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, etc., the kids wanted to hear more and more from Connie. Granted her first couple of releases were not rock and roll per se, like the ballad “Who’s Sorry Now”, but there was no question she was making an impact. Teenage girls wanted to be like her, dress like her, wear their hair like her and they felt like she was a friend. Yes, her main appeal, in the beginning was more towards females, but once she began doing songs like “Stupid Cupid” and “Lipstick on Your Collar” the guys began joining in on the fandom for this tremendously talented singer. There is no question that Connie Francis was a major part of the growth of rock and roll in its early years and beyond, not only here in the U.S. but also as a major star worldwide.

Here is just a quick rundown of what this woman did at a time when it was the guys ruling the music charts in rock and roll. To begin with Connie Francis had thirty-five sides reach the Billboard Top 40. Sixteen of those made the Top 10 and three topped that chart. In addition, between the 1950’s and 1970 she released over 40 LPs, many of them charting on Billboard. She provided the singing voices for actresses, including Jayne Mansfield in three different films. Unlike any other rock and roll star, Ms. Francis recorded her songs in nine different languages and had her records hit the charts in the UK, Germany, Italy and France among others. She starred in several movies, did a number of TV specials, made numerous appearances on Ed Sullivan, amassed a number of gold and platinum records and continued performing into the 1970’s.

There is a lot more musically we could add about her, but I think you get the idea. This is one performer who has been snubbed and overlooked long enough and it is time the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame live up to their name and induct her. Ms, Francis is now 85 years young and deserves her place in the Hall, just as Cher will finally get hers this year after being snubbed for so long. As someone who played the hell out of her hits on radio, I am appalled that Ms. Francis still sits outside the hall instead of inside where she deserves the seat of a legend, icon and the first female star of the rock and roll era. Connie Francis IS a Hall of Famer!

Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AN