Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts
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Frankie Lymon Biography
Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers started as a singing group in 1954 at Edward W. Stitt Junior High School in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan (New York City, New York). The group’s members were second tenor Jimmy Merchant and bass Sherman Garnes. The Earth Angels was their original name. They eventually changed their name to The Coupe De Villes after adding lead singer Herman Santiago and baritone John Seda to their roster. Frankie Lymon joined the group at the year’s end, and they changed their name to Ermines before becoming The Premiers.
On December 30, 1942, in New York City, Lymon was born. He first saw The Premiers when he was 12 years old and employed at a grocery shop. After encountering The Premiers, Lymon, who was already singing evangelical music at his father’s church, switched to popular music.
After joining the group, Lymon assisted lead singer Herman Santiago in rewriting “Why Do Fools Fall in Love,” which would go on to become their most well-known song. The group’s 1955 Gee Records audition was made possible by the song. Santiago became ill on the day of the audition and was unable to perform. Lymon took his place. Gee Records agreed to sign the band The Teenagers with Lymon as the main singer after hearing Lymon sing.
The 1956 single “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” immediately rose to the top of the pop charts in both Great Britain and the United States after its release. Music critics attribute the song’s success to Lymon’s elegant, clever, and absolutely endearing performance. The song continues to be a crucial piece of music for defining and remembering the doo-wop movement. Lymon also became the first black teenage pop star as a result of its success during a time of racial segregation.
The ensemble later made appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and American Bandstand in addition to starring in Alan Freed’s package shows and motion pictures. The group was undoubtedly the most well-known band in the country by the end of 1956 after touring throughout the whole United States and Great Britain.
The Teenagers recorded five other singles in 1956 and 1957, and three of them—”I Want You to Be My Girl,” “Who Can Explain?” and “The ABCs of Love”—made it to the top ten R&B tracks on the Billboard R&B chart as well. Lymon departed the group and started recording solo singles for Roulette Records when the band toured in 1957.
Lymon and the Teenagers both continued to release records, but neither artist’s solo or group career ever achieved their first level of success in 1956. Frankie Lymon was discovered unconscious on the toilet floor of his grandmother’s New York City apartment on February 27, 1968, having overdosed on heroin. Only 25 years old, he. The two tracks Lymon had recorded for Big Apple Records before his passing, “I’m Sorry” and “Seabreeze,” were released later in 1968.
Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers were honored with a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1993. In 2000, they were admitted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
Frankie Lymon Discography
| Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers: For Collectors Only | |
| The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How Many No 1 Has Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers Had?
Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers had one No 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with “Why Do Fools Fall in Love?” in 1956. The song also reached No 1 on the R&B charts.
What Was Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers’S Best Selling Album?
Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers’ best selling album was their debut album, “The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon”. The album was released in 1956 and peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It remained on the chart for 32 weeks and was certified as a gold record by the Recording Industry Association of America.
What Is Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers’S Most Famous Song?
“Why Do Fools Fall in Love” is Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers’s most famous song. It was released in 1956 and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Diana Ross and The Supremes, Jimmy Clanton, and Little Richard.
How Old Was Frankie Lymon When He Started Singing With The Teenagers?
Frankie Lymon started singing with the Teenagers when he was just 13 years old.
Most Searched For Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers Songs
| Why Do Fools Fall in Love | |
| Little Bitty Pretty One | |
| Young | |
| Goody Goody | |
| Yours | |
| Who Put the Bomp (In the Bomp Bomp Bomp) – 2004 Remaster | |
| The ABC’s of Love (Alternate Take) | |
| You | |
| Buzz Buzz Buzz | |
| So Goes My Love |