Franklin Joseph Lymon, better known by his stage name Frankie Lymon, was a rock and roll musician from the United States. His most well-known role was as the lead singer of the five-member, New York City-based rock and roll band The Teenagers. I Want You to Be My Girl, I Promise to Remember, The ABC’s of Love, I’m Not a Juvenile Delinquent, Out in the Cold Again, and Goody Goody are just a few of the popular tunes Lymon and the group have released. The rock and roll singer contributed to many albums as a solo performer. Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, Frankie Lymon at the London Palladium, Rock & Roll with Frankie Lymon, and Complete Recordings (Bear Family) were a few of his top albums. At the age of 25, Lymon, who began taking narcotics as his career began to falter, was discovered dead after a heroin overdose. He was laid to rest at New York City’s Saint Raymond’s Cemetery after passing away unexpectedly. Speaking of his personal life, the American musician practiced polygamy and was wed to three stunning women till his passing. The 1998 movie “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” depicted his musical career.
Early Childhood & Life
Franklin Joseph Lymon, better known as Frankie Lymon, was born on September 30, 1942, in Harlem, New York City. His father Howard Lymon was a truck driver, while his mother Jeanette Lymon worked as a maid. They both performed in the gospel ensemble Harlemaires as singers.
Lymon began working as a grocery boy at the age of 10 to help make ends meet for his family. He met Coupe De Villes, a local doo-wop band, and their lead vocalist Herman Santiago when he was 12 years old. He eventually joined the group, which was then renamed The Ermines and The Premiers.
Frankie Lymon’s Career
In order to encourage the budding musicians to write their own songs, a neighbor sent the Premiers some love letters in 1955. This inspired the brothers to write the song “Why Do Fools Fall in Love,” which they did.
The group later performed for American record producer George Goldner after changing their name to The Teenagers. When Santiago, the original lead singer, was late for the audition, Lymon stepped in and performed in his place.
Goldner signed the band to Gee Records, and the following year, their debut single, titled “Why Do Fools Fall in Love,” was made available. The singles “I Want You to Be My Girl,” “I Promise to Remember,” “The ABCs of Love,” and “I’m Not a Juvenile Delinquent” came after this.
The Teenagers changed their name to Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers shortly after this. In December 1956, their album, The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon, was released. The following year saw the publication of a number of songs, including “Teenage Love,” “Out in the Cold Again,” and “Everything to Me.” In 1957, Lymon and the Teenagers split up while on tour in Europe.
After that, Frankie Lymon started performing alone and working with Roulette Record to release his singles. In 1957, he released the songs “My Girl” and “Little Girl.” The rock and roll singer soon after launched his solo album, “Rock & Roll with Frankie Lymon.”
He released the single “Up Jumped a Rabbit” in 1959. In 1960, he put out his songs “Little Bitty Pretty One” and “Buzz Buzz Buzz.” Early in the 1960s, Lymon’s career began to wane. The singer’s voice shifted to a deeper baritone as he developed a heroin addiction.
He then issued a few additional songs, including “Jailhouse Rock,” “Change Partners,” and “Young.” Later, Roulette terminated their agreement with him, and Lymon enrolled in a drug rehab program.
The American vocalist battled through brief contracts with Columbia Records and 20th Century Fox Records during the following four years. He was able to release the singles “To Each His Own” and “Somewhere” under these recordings.
Later, Lymon made a revue appearance at the Apollo. He also attempted several unsuccessful live recordings. Then, in 1968, he signed with the Big Apple label and issued the single “I’m Sorry” on its behalf.
Lymon’s Bigger Works
With the band Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, Frankie Lymon released the single “Goody Goody.” The song was a No. 20 pop success and was composed by Johnny Mercer and Matty Malneck.
Why Do Fools Fall in Love, his single, became an instant hit. It topped the Billboard R&B singles list for around five weeks and peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard pop singles chart.
His hit song, “I Want You to Be My Girl,” also made an impression on the public. On the Billboard Hot 100 chart, it rose to No. 13.
Recognition & Achievements
As a member of the band Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, Frankie Lymon was honored with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
He received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 7083 Hollywood Boulevard, California, on February 1, 1994, as a posthumous tribute.
The American vocalist was admitted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame posthumously as a member of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers in 2000.
His Individual Life
Elizabeth Waters was Frankie Lymon’s first love, and they later got married in 1964.
Two days after the couple’s daughter was born at Lenox Hill Hospital, she passed away. Few people are aware that Lymon and Waters’ union was illicit because she was still legally wed to her first husband.
Lymon began dating Zola Taylor after his marriage to Waters fell up. The couple allegedly got hitched in 1965. There was no official evidence of their marriage, it was claimed, and it was only a PR ploy. In 1968, the pair split up because of Lymon’s drug addiction.
Lymon, on the other hand, fell in love with Emira Eagle in 1967. They were wed in June 1967.
Lymon practiced polygamy and stayed wed to Waters, Taylor, and Eagle right up until his passing.
On February 27, 1968, he was found dead after a heroin overdose. He was only 25 years old when he passed away. At the Catholic Saint Raymond’s Cemetery, he was interred.
Estimated Net Worth
Frankie is among the wealthiest and most well-known rock singers. Frankie Lymon’s net worth is roughly $1.5 million, according to our analysis of data from sources like Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider.
Trivia
He was referred to as “The Golden Throat.”
Many leading performers have cited Frankie Lymon as one of their idols, including Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Ronnie Spector, The Chantels, George Clinton, The Temptations, Len Barry, Smokey Robinson, and The Beach Boys.