Frankie Lymon

Fact Sheet

Birthday	30 September 1942
Sign	Libra
Date of death	February 27, 1968 (age 25)

Frankie Lymon (September 30, 1942 - February 27, 1968) was the leader of a doo wop group called The Teenagers. The group released their debut single, "Why Do Fools Fall in Love", to considerable success. A Top 40 success at age 13, Lymon was perhaps the first black teen idol. After several hits, Lymon's manager attempted to turn him into a solo artist, leaving his old friends in the group behind. Neither Lymon's solo career nor the group's attempts to carry on were successful.

Lymon was credited as songwriter on "Why Do Fools Fall in Love", but his authorship was disputed. It is clear that the group had come up with the song before beginning their recording career.

Lymon died of a drug overdose in 1968. The film Why Do Fools Fall in Love is a fictionalized version of his story, told from the point of view of three of his ex-wives jousting over royalties from the title song, which was released in a cover version by Diana Ross in the 1990s and became a hit all over again. Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000.

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