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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZLYMON, Frankie(b 30 Sep. '42, NYC; d 28 Feb. '68, NYC) Singer. Formed vocal group the Premiers at Edward W. Stitt High School with Sherman Garnes (b 8 June '40; d '78), Joe Negroni (b 9 Sep. '40; d '77), Herman Santiago (b 18 Feb. '41), Jimmy Merchant (b 10 Feb. '40); heard singing on stairs of 165th street tenament by Richard Barrett, leader of the Valentines, talent scout for George Goldner's Rama and Gee Labels; under new name of the Teenagers with Frankie Lymon made 'Why Do Fools Fall In Love?' late '55: with Lymon's brilliant soprano lead it became one of the best-loved hits of the era: top ten in USA, remained in charts 21 weeks; no. 1 UK. Other minor hits that year: 'I Want You To Be My Girl', 'I Promise To Remember', 'The ABCs Of Love'; also in film Rock, Rock, Rock with 'I'm Not A Juvenile Delinquent', flop single in USA but top 20 hit UK '57. 'Baby, Baby' top five UK '57 but US sales dwindled. During UK tour '57 Goldner began producing Lymon as solo act: 'Goody Goody' no. 22 USA, no. 24 UK '57; group appeared in film Mr Rock And Roll '57; Lymon signed solo on Roulette, group tried various replacements. Lymon's version of Bobby Day's 'Little Bitty Pretty One' made no. 58 USA '60, but he had a drug problem; his option was not picked up by Roulette. Forced to undergo cure at Manhattan General Hospital '61; attempted comeback learning to dance and play drums but convicted on narcotics charge '64; found dead on grandmother's bathroom floor. His brother Lewis, lead singer with the Teenchords (recorded for Fury, Juanita, End) did one-off gig with Teenagers in Philadelphia '73; group re-emerged '80, still with Santiago and Merchant. Diana Ross had world-wide hit '81 with 'Why Do Fools Fall In Love'; she had earlier sponsored the Jackson Five (with Lymon soundalike Michael) who had all the success the Teenagers missed. Royalties on the song 'Why Do Fools Fall In Love' had reached $1m; in '86 three women claiming to be Lymon's widows (incl. Zola Taylor, who once sang with the Platters) were fighting with Roulette Records over it. CD compilations on Rhino and Remember. |