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Frankie Lymon was an American rock and roll / rhythm and blues singer and songwriter, best known as the boy soprano lead singer of the Teenagers. He had several hits in 1956, but his career declined after he went solo and died of a heroin overdose in 1968.
Learn how Frankie Lymon, the first black teenage pop star, rose to fame with his angelic voice and doo-wop style, but also faced racism, addiction and tragedy. Discover how his life and music reflected the contradictions and challenges of postwar America.
- When Was Frankie Lymon Born and How Did He Join The teenagers?
- How Did Frankie Lymon End Up Fronting The teenagers?
- Did Frankie Lymon Write 'Why Do Fools Fall in Love'?
- When Did Frankie Lymon Leave The Teenagers and What Happened to His Solo Career?
- What Happened to The Teenagers After Lymon's Departure?
- Was Frankie Lymon Married?
- How and When Did Frankie Lymon Die?
- What Was Frankie Lymon's Legacy?
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Frankie Lymon was born to truck driver dad Howard and maid mum Jeanette on September 30, 1942 in Harlem, New York Singing was very much in Frankie's blood, as both his parents sang together in gospel group The Harlemaires. Frankie and his brothers Lewis and Howie sang with Harlemaire Juniors, while Frankie worked as a grocery boy from the age of 10...
With his stunning boy soprano voice, it seems obvious that Frankie Lymon would be the frontman (front-boy?) of The Teenagers, but it didn't start that way. As said, it was Santiago who was leading the group when Lymon joined, but that all changed quickly. After impressing The Valentines singer Richard Barrett, The Teenagers got an audition with pro...
'Why Do Fools Fall in Love' was the debut single from The Teenagers, their signature song, and their biggest hit. It topped the US R&B Chart, went to number 6 on the pop chart, and incredibly went all the way to number one in the UK singles chart, too. It's endured to this day, and has also been covered by The Diamonds in 1956, the Beach Boys in 19...
As is so often the case when one of a group has the main billing, there was pressure to push Frankie Lymon into a solo career. Goldner especially was advocating for a solo Frankie, giving the lead singer solo spots during their live show at the London Palladium and having him sing to pre-recorded backing tapes. In fact, while it was credited to Fra...
As well as Lymon's career failing to take off after he left the group, The Teenagers never really successfully replaced him. The first replacement was Billy Lobrano, the first white member of the group. Meanwhile Sherman Garnes and Joe Negroni died in the late 1970s and were replaced by Bobby Jay and Frankie's brother Lewis Lymon. In the 1980s the ...
Frankie Lymon's personal life was complicated to say the least. He married his first wife Elizabeth Mickey Waters in January 1964. Technically though, this marriage was never legal because she was still married to her previous husband. They had a daughter together – Frankie's only child – but Francine tragically died just two days after being born....
Frankie Lymon told Ebonymagazine in 1967 that he had been introduced to heroin a woman twice his age when he was just 15, and he swiftly became addicted. "I looked twice my age," Lymon said. "I was thin as a shadow and I didn't give a damn. My only concern was in getting relief. "You know, an addict is the most pathetic creature on earth. He knows ...
Despite dying at such a young age and only really being an active recording artist for a few short years, Frankie Lymon had a massive impact on the emerging pop and rock 'n' roll scene. As we already noted, both The Beach Boys and Diana Rossshowed their love for Frankie with their covers of his biggest hit. Other artists who have namechecked The Te...
Learn about Frankie Lymon, the leader of the first all-teen hit rock 'n' roll band, who sang 'Why Do Fools Fall in Love'. Discover his early career, personal struggles and tragic end at 25.
Frankie Lymon was America’s ...
Frankie Lymon was a singer and actor who died of a heroin overdose in 1968. He was known for his soprano voice and his role in American Graffiti (1973).
- September 30, 1942
- February 28, 1968
Learn about the American vocal group that popularized the doo-wop style in the mid-1950s. Find out about their hits, movies, and the tragic fate of their lead singer Frankie Lymon.
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The other performance taken on the show.
- 2 min
- 562.7K
- Jeremy Almquist
