Rewinding the charts: In 1960, Connie Francis became the first woman to top the Billboard Hot 100 (2023)

08.03.2017

On July 2, 1960, the then 21-year-old Jersey girl scored her first Hot 100 No. 1 by an artist, just one of 53 career hits from her.

Rewinding the charts: In 1960, Connie Francis became the first woman to top the Billboard Hot 100 (1)

Almost two years inBillboard Hot 100In its existence, the top of the charts was essentially a boys' club.

Beginning with Ricky Nelson's "Poor Little Fool", which topped the opening chart on August 4, 1958, only one of the first 29 No. 1 songs featured prominent female vocals: "To Know Him, Is to Love Him" by Teddy Bears," a vocal trio with one female member (as well as a young Phil Spector).

(Video) Stupid Cupid - Connie Francis 1958 {Stereo}

But on July 2, 1960Connie FrancisThe then 21-year-old made history when "Everybody's Somebody's Fool", recorded with the Joe Sherman Orchestra, went 2-1. By year's end, three more No. 1 female solo songs would reign: the Francis follow-up, "My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own" andBrenda Lee"I'm sorry" and "I want to be wanted".

During her career, Francis had 53 Hot 100 hits. In recent years, she has focused on the fight to reform mental health care for veterans after co-founding the Haven From the Storm charity.