Michael Palin

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Idol Chatter

News of the death of Connie Francis this week brought back some poignant teenage memories. I was 15 when ‘Who’s Sorry Now’ was released and I found her strident, plaintive delivery very sexy. With that strong distinctive voice she produced a string of hits which only cemented my great love for her. That was until I discovered Bobby Darin, whose ‘Dream Lover’ produced a similar state of doting admiration.

I grew out of Connie, I suppose, ‘Stupid Cupid’ being no match for Darin’s smooth delivery of classics like ‘Beyond The Sea’. But I felt a pang of guilt for so lightly transferring my loyalties.

Idol Chatter

Imagine then my stunned surprise when years later I heard that Connie and Bobby were dating. My two heroes were an item! From out of nowhere the conflicted feelings of my teenage years arose again. I thought it through, got rid of pangs of jealousy, and decided I was very happy for them.

Which is how I was feeling until I read in Connie Francis obituary that Connie’s father, on hearing of their plans to wed, broke into the studio with a loaded gun and ordered Darin to stay away from his daughter.

And that was that. Bobby died at the age of 37. Connie, just a day or two ago, at the age of 87, having been married four times. Three of which lasted less than a year.

But both made music that raised my spirits.

RIP