Frankie Lymon was one of the first black teenage pop stars in America, and the lead singer of the doo-wop group The Teenagers. He had a voice that could soar like an angel, and a charisma that captivated audiences around the world. He was also a troubled soul who struggled with drug addiction, failed marriages, and a declining career. He died of a heroin overdose at the age of 25, leaving behind a legacy of music and a mystery of his life.
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The Rise and Fall of The Teenagers
Frankie Lymon was born on September 30, 1942, in Harlem, New York City. He came from a poor family, and had to work as a grocery boy to help pay the rent. He also had a talent for singing, and joined a local doo-wop group called The Premiers when he was 12 years old. One day, they wrote a song based on a love letter that one of their neighbors had received from his girlfriend. The song was called “Why Do Fools Fall in Love”, and it became their ticket to fame.
The Premiers changed their name to The Teenagers, and auditioned for record producer George Goldner. Lymon impressed Goldner with his high-pitched voice and confident attitude, and became the lead singer of the group. The Teenagers released “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” in 1956, and it became a huge hit, reaching number one on the R&B charts and number six on the pop charts. The song also crossed racial barriers, as it was popular among both black and white audiences.
The Teenagers became one of the most successful doo-wop groups of the 1950s, and toured around the world with other rock and roll stars like Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, and Little Richard. They also appeared on TV shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and American Bandstand. Lymon was the star of the group, and received most of the attention and praise from fans and critics. He was also exposed to the temptations and pressures of fame, such as drugs, alcohol, women, and money.
In 1957, Lymon decided to leave The Teenagers and pursue a solo career. He signed with Roulette Records, which was owned by Morris Levy, a notorious music mogul who had ties to organized crime. Levy promised Lymon that he would make him a bigger star than Elvis Presley, but he also exploited him financially and artistically. Lymon’s solo career failed to match his success with The Teenagers, as his voice changed due to puberty and his style became outdated by the emergence of new musical trends. He also became addicted to heroin, which affected his health and performance.
The Legal Battles Over His Estate
Lymon’s personal life was also chaotic and controversial. He married three times, but none of his marriages were legally valid. His first wife was Elizabeth Waters, whom he married in 1964 when he was 21 years old. Waters was a prostitute who introduced Lymon to heroin. They separated after two years, but never divorced.
His second wife was Zola Taylor, whom he married in 1965 when he was 22 years old. Taylor was a singer with The Platters, another popular doo-wop group. She claimed that she loved Lymon and tried to help him overcome his drug addiction. However, she later admitted that she married him for publicity reasons.
His third wife was Emira Eagle, whom he married in 1967 when he was 24 years old. Eagle was a school teacher who met Lymon when he visited her classroom as part of an anti-drug program. She said that she saw the good in him and wanted to give him a chance to start over. They moved to Georgia, where Lymon enrolled in the Army.
Lymon seemed to be on the path to recovery, but he relapsed into heroin use when he returned to New York City in 1968. On February 27, he was found dead on the floor of his grandmother’s bathroom from an overdose. He was buried at Saint Raymond’s Cemetery in the Bronx.
Lymon’s death sparked a legal battle over his estate, which included royalties from his songs. All three of his wives claimed to be his widow and rightful heir. They also sued Morris Levy for withholding payments from Lymon’s recordings. The case went on for decades, involving multiple trials and appeals. In 1986, a federal court ruled that Emira Eagle was Lymon’s legal widow, as she had obtained an annulment from her previous husband before marrying him. However, in 1990, an appeals court reversed the decision, stating that Elizabeth Waters was still legally married to Lymon when he died, as she had never obtained a divorce from him. The court also ruled that Morris Levy owned the rights to Lymon’s songs, as he had signed a contract with him in 1959 that gave him full control over his music.
The legal saga was dramatized in the 1998 film Why Do Fools Fall in Love, which starred Larenz Tate as Lymon, Halle Berry as Zola Taylor, Vivica A. Fox as Elizabeth Waters, and Lela Rochon as Emira Eagle.
The Legacy of a Rock and Roll Pioneer
Despite his tragic and turbulent life, Frankie Lymon left a lasting impact on the music industry and culture. He was one of the first black artists to achieve mainstream success and appeal to diverse audiences. He was also one of the first teen idols, who inspired generations of young singers and performers. His voice and style influenced many artists, such as Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, The Beatles, and The Beach Boys.
Lymon was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, along with The Teenagers. He was also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994. His songs have been covered by many artists, such as Diana Ross, The Beach Boys, Joni Mitchell, and Gloria Estefan. His story has been told in books, documentaries, and films.
Frankie Lymon cause of death was a tragic end to a brilliant career. He was a rock and roll pioneer who rose to fame at a young age, but fell victim to the dark side of fame. He died too soon, but his music lives on. He was a fool who fell in love with life, but also with death.
