Jimmy and Herman were laughing and having a great time till it got to the point in the interview where they explained how Frankie was going solo and you could see in the interview how even after all those years it hurt and angered them .It must of been a terrible blow to the 4 Teenagers after being on top .They all had such a great sound together as did Louis ! Thanks to Jimmy and Herman for their time and a fine job by Tom Meros .
I was a student at Stitt JHS 1955 -1957.......right at the peak of their story...... Frankie actually came to a regular assembly at the school and was celebrated like a returning War Hero. In those days, everyone, black or white wanted to form a singing group....and if you didn't know what group sang the latest hit songs, then you were not cool. I'll never forget the unique experience of being a little white kid, growing up in that neighborhood and attending that school.....It formed the person I am today....without a doubt.....I still use the expressions and language of that time in my daily speech. It will always be a part of me....and although at times it was daunting to be in a reverse minority situation, it was tame by today's standards.. I just had to make sure i had enough money to give up to the bad guys who threatened, but be cool enough to be part of and embrace the culture....which of course meant ...Doo Wop. To this day, I still know the groups and the lyrics of most of those songs of 1956-and onward....especially those of The Teenagers. Thanks for the great trip to the past with Herman and Jimmy......loved it Mark Newton marco714@verizon.net
That’s beautiful! Felt very genuine and like a nostalgic time for you ! Frankie was special - never met him born in 80’s but I feel I’m an old soul. Love great music with feeling 🎶
The movie Why Do Fools Fall In Love Can Be remade they focus more on his wives in the end then frankie actual music career we need more of the teenagers in this movie and what happened with his career on the music aspect
The funny thing is that the movie script was done decades before the movie itself was released in the 1990s. Believe it or not, the script was floating around since the 1970s and the producers actually asked Michael Jackson if he would have been interested in portraying Frankie Lymon and he declined. I personally believed he might have regretted it after doing the movie adaptation of The Wiz.
Hollywood necesita una cosa loca qué contar. El impacto lo cuenta de pasada Little Richard y ni si quiera nos mostraron el sufrimiento real de Frankie. Una pena.
It was a pretty bad movie and Larenz Tate was terrible as Frankie. Looked nothing like him, too tall and too old. He was 23 playing a 14 year old. Always wanted a better version of Frankie's story.
Frankie was pressured to go solo way too early!! These guys were amazing. I’m 32 and wasn’t even alive during this era, but love doo wop era and FRANKIE LYMON. Shame how he went out. Rip shining star❤💫
I'm 72nd; there will never be singers like these old-school singers. The songs had substance being in love, no cursing, respect, and class. Oh, how I enjoyed those days remembering my siblings who has gone on to their resting place. Sometimes when I listen to these old school songs, my thoughts go back, wishing I could turn back the hands of time.
Legends. I revisit this interview every now & then. So glad they forgave Frankie for leaving the group. It really was not his fault; he didn’t know any better.
So would a better movie. The one they made was said to be very inaccurate. Also the actor playing Frankie was 23 years old playing Frankie aged 13-25, seemed much taller than Frankie and the lip syncing just looked bad too seeing Frankie's young voice come out of an adult. Would've liked a movie more along the lines of Ray or Walk the Line. Why Do Fools Fall in Love at times felt more like a comedy. I read it also took the movie 15 years to get made.
What a great interview, these gentlemen are at the HEART of the music we hear today. They came from nothing to become Legends in the music business, and they are still humble and talented to this day, what a life they have had. I listen to Frankie and his group at least once a week, and have done so for about 50 years, and they still sound great. Hope they continue to perform and" SHARE" the music with us..........
What a great interview with two class acts. It’s a genuine tragedy that this group couldn’t have stayed together longer - so much talent and charisma. There’s no telling what musical heights they could have reached.
Thanks for this fine interview. Can't tell you how many times I've listened to their tunes, since right back then. My very best wishes to Herman and Jimmy. I promise to remember.
I was nine when Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers became famous. They were great from the start. Rock and roll was brand new, fabulous, and made life so great for young people everywhere.
Wow, it's so good to see that the Teenagers music is still alive!! I was a big fan of the Teenagers, and Frankie had an amazing voice and talent. I still miss him.
He was the very best kiddie tenor I ever heard in person which is saying a lot because there were so many other kiddie tenors in vocal groups of that era including the lead vocalist here with the Teenagers: Timothy Wilson, formerly of Tiny Tim & the Hits from the 1950's!
You can see the passion in the interviewer when he is talking to the Teenagers (hard to call them that now) and this is the way in interview should be done,
Just a terrific interview ... one of the best. I lived on 165th Street & Amsterdam Avenue and remember how much neighbors spoke of those '5 young kids singing rock and roll on radio'! And while walking with my father up towards Audubon Avenue where we saw all the Teenagers driving by in a convertible ... man oh man, I looked at my father and he said, 'you see, Al, even you can sing in a group and become famous like them.' Hard to believe they were only together for about 17 mos. before Frankie went solo.
Wow..thanks for the interview guys. It's so sad things happened that way. If Frankie would have had the support of his friends he would likely still be here. Such a sad story.
Thank you Tom for your interview! Hi Jimmy & Herman.Its nice to see & hear your story! I'm 39 and grew up a lot with your music in Dublin,Republic Of Ireland. My friends were listening to rave & hip hop (not that I dislike hip-hop or anything!) in the late 1990's ,I was listening to you guys, still have a nice collection on 33rpm. Also Spaniels,The Turbans,The Monotones,The Cadillacs, The Valentines,The Cleftones, The Hearts.I love your song,I'm Not A Juvenile Delinquent. That is a really rocking song with piano in background and sax from Jimmy Wright, lovely melodic music. Thanks for your group with Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers! Was in New York for first time ever,March 2020,It was great to finally see the city for myself and get the feeling for it. This music got me through school and doo-wop in general in late teens, the harmonies are really nice. Vinny, Dublin,Ireland.
Hi Vinny. I loved Doo Wop and The Teenagers. I lived across the Irish sea in Wales UK and bought all the records at the time - I was 11/12 years old. This is a great interview. Thanks.
It's a shame that jimmy, joe, Sherman & Herman was not able to patch things up with Frankie before he died i know to them it was like losing a brother. Now Frankie, Sherman & joe are smiling down on Jlmmy & Herman as they keep the group's legacy well known to all generations # Nothing but Respect 4 Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers.
Nice to see this. The very first concert I was ever taken to was by our Prof. Orman from our little Negro School in Lampasas Texas. We were segregated and rarely was there a public concert Blacks could attend. Prof. Orman bought tickets and took our class to Austin to see a "Cavalcade of Stars" , as they were called in those days. The show included Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, Fats Domino, LaVerne Baker, Chuck Berry, a young performer named James Brown and some others I don't remember. It was my intro to live music. I have been a musician since that show as I slipped under the ropes and went up the stairs and sat next to Chuck Berry after his performance. We watch the crowd cheer for Frankie and the Teenagers, and then by shocked by James Brown! It was my welcome to Rock N Roll.
This was so educational and great to watch. It's so hard to believe that someone turned Frankie Lymon on to Heroin at such a young age. I think he was 15 years old. It's always a different story in the movies. These guys are great. Happy to see them doing what they love.👍
Oh man 😂❤❤❤🎉🎉😂🎉 I've just recently started listening to you guys bout a month ago and though i remembered WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE it was the rest of your guys music that hit me all the more I'm 42 years old but I absolutely loved the music of the mid to the late 50s when i was a kid my mother loved this music she was a teenager back in the 50s I was born when she was 40 she died on Frankie lymons birthday 9 30 1990 8 was just 10 but that music she loved I've carried in my heart all these years and now im in love with the 50s more than ever before my mom also loved Richie Valens and Buddy Holly as well. My music of choice was straight up the 60s but now I've included the 59s as well after all.... Without the golden 50s I wouldn't have my 60s !!!! I'm so glad to see these 2 of The Teenagers still performing that touches me very deeply 😢 I also loved Little Richard as well and yes Chuck Berry.
Wow Herman lived in my building I lived on the 5th floor and Herman on the fourth floor Amsterdam and 175th st, sometimes we sat on the stoop to chat , I was 17 yrs old I forgot how old Herman was, I'm 81 now and the first time I see this video, I do not know if Herman still with us, if he still with us I say hello to Herman, I never forgot you Man, God bless
This is great! It's so neat to hear stories like this. Thank you so much. I've often thought that "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" was the breakthrough record for black artists because, as you mentioned, it was covered by three other artists but still outsold them all and went higher on the charts.. Up until then, I can't think of another record that was covered by white artists that did that. Thank God for TH-cam that we can enjoy the past in this way.
The two surviving members were ripped off by the recording company and judges, who kept their money for themselves. That song made millions of dollars, however, because they were teenagers it was easy to take advantage of them, and they did. Royalties is still being paid out on that song, however, the thieving record producer put down his son's name as the writer of this song, at that time his son was a baby, however, he wrote that song. Shameful.
ingrid gibbs. It was not uncommon. Many musicians were ripped off by managers, producers, companies etc. I know of NONE that ever tried to make it right. The main spirit of these vile creatures is not music. It is greed. They have no shame
Tom: You are unbelievable the way you chase down all this talent and develop their story in such an entertaining and informative way. It's like Doo Wop history!! Now, the Doo Wop finale' planned for next week (and Teenagers on the bill) on Long Island under the careful tutelage of LAR!! And aren't we all blessed to have grown up, matured, and aged with 5 part harmony as our background music..Thank You!!!
Thank you for this very interesting and informative look at this group and the music business at this period in time. I had seen the movie about Frankie and his marital mess *Why do fools fall in love*, but it rather glossed over a lot about Frankie's career with the Teenagers. This interview fills in a lot of gaps about the group and their career. I'm glad the two surviving members now realize that it was the record company who made that choice, and that Frankie was as much a casualty of that choice as they were. I agree, it was a stupid choice to have Frankie go solo at that time and it declined both his and The Teenagers careers, as well as shortened their legacy. The lead singers you mentioned who went solo from their groups only did so after they and their groups were already well established artists. Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers hadn't been around long enough to have made enough of a foothold in the industry or with the public to sustain either careers. Being with the group might also have helped when Frankie's voice naturally changed and he lost his signature soprano. Without the group Frankie was forced to sing falsetto to keep his voice high and it didn't work. Had he been with the group they might have helped work out a more successful new musical style that allowed him to use his natural voice.
+cisio64123 No it was a good move because Frankie was the sound and the talent. His problem was being introduced to drugs at a early age and getting hooked. His voice was beautiful high and low he could of transformed to a new sound but the drugs did his thinking.
It was because of the drugs. A lot of the greats get/got caught up in the drugs, alcohol abuse and other corruption in the industry. Drugs and these other corruptions destroyed a lot of careers in the industry. Look at Whitney . It affects the vocals and their physical bodies in general
I wouldn't mind seeing them in concert. Seems like such a fun show. I believe Frankie is smiling down. If he had the right ppl around him and yes probably stayed in GA, he would still be with us. He would have been performing to this day im sure. RIP to a legend a pioneer.
Frankie and the Teenagers were such an incredible influence on me while growing up to try to put it into words would be impossible. All the Motown stuff, 60's, 70's, you name it, have all had an impression on my growing soul, but these guys, the Teenagers, were one of the strongest. I was around 8 or 9 when my mother had to tell me that Frankie had passed away many years earlier because I was damned determined to meet him. I cried for days afterward lol. Tom, I ask you with the most open heart possible, would there be any way at all to get a tangible piece of history to hold in my hands? Where would I go to get an original 45 or even an autograph? I don't want to bother them with my littleness, so I thought I'd go to you to ask. Thank you.
Interesting interview, great to hear how it all went down, seemed like a magical time to be alive! Would have been interesting to see what happened if the record companies hadn't broke the group up. Love that these guys are still at it! Thanks for enriching all of our lives with your wonderful music Jimmy & Herman!
That was fasicinating interview! All this time though with Why Do Fools Fall In Love and others still to this day no one has been able to replace him or make up for that spot that missing place its like he's dead, everyone tries to sing it but still no Frankie Lymon. They fill his place in many ways, live on to keep what was alive in a new kind of vibe. However at the end of the day there is still that fire that keeps burning with that one word what if?It is a question that will never have an answer. It's kind of like a gap that will never be quite filled, still a place for wonder and never trully understanding why or what could have been if he was still here today.
Tom, are you still in touch? Do you know if they (or either of them) wrote ABCs of Love? Did Lymon contribute? Right now, Morris Levy is listed as the writer, which I know is fiction.
It's my opinion all these singing groups of the 1950s 60s 70s part of the 80s and 90s should have gotten them all in one place to induct them into the rock and roll hall of fame in one shot that includes the girl group's as well they all deserve lot's of respect. ..
do a part 2 ask more questions about the group and the insdustry back then and more about frankie's life and the other members that passed we want to get to know the group unfortuantly i wasent born in the era
I don't care what anybody says,but I believe Frankie Lymon was murdered.I don't believe that movie one bit.There's A LOT that wasn't told about those events,and Warner Bros Knows more than what was told in the movie "Why do fool's Fall in Love" .Morris Levy owed Frankie and the Teenagers back pay from all the money that the record company had made from their songs.Frankie,along with the Teenagers didn't get there fare share,and morris had this up his dirty crafty JEWISH sleeves since the day he signed them into the record company. Morris Levy had frankie killed right before Frankie was due to pursue all the money which Levy had owed him.Morris Levy is a liar,a thief,and a murderer. And I also believe Little Richard himself is also a puppet and. May be the only person who knows exactly what really happened back than.Little Richard had made a statement in the film "Why do fools fall in love" during the Courtroom scene where he was called to the witness stand to testify and recall his friendship with Frankie Lymon to the judge.Little Richard said in the film "Morris Levy didn't even use the Vaseline".Little Richard has a sense of humor and could've made that statement to not only describe how black performers were swindled by record producers but also to describe the possible Gay sodomy ritual that Lymon and or the Teenagers might have been subjected to by Levy himself.This sick and evil practice is still in Hollywood til this day along with many other satanic rituals.All this is up for debate,but who knows (I'm just stating my opinion,not claiming to know as if I were there).
I know I’m late but when he said “Morris didn’t even use no Vaseline” I think he meant like he fucked him over financially with no remorse not in a literal way
This interview was 46 years after Frankie Lymon died in 1968... one has to wonder how many times these men have had to say his name in all those years.
Nice interview. These guys seem so nice. Mature and still fun. I love the way they defer to and support each other, maybe that's how they managed to continue their life's journey together so long. Amazing!
Hello Tom. Great interview! I'm trying to figure out what year it was. Wikipedia has Jimmy retiring in 2005, but the guys mention the boyband "One Direction", who formed in 2010, and Justin Beiber, who hit later than that.
There's no arguing with Zeitgeist. "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" 1955. In Chicago, Chuck Berry records "Maybelline," 1955. Elvis' version of "Blue Suede Shoes," 1956. I was in junior high and knew all the words to "Fools," full-fledged rock and roll.
Jimmy and Herman were laughing and having a great time till it got to the point in the interview where they explained how Frankie was going solo and you could see in the interview how even after all those years it hurt and angered them .It must of been a terrible blow to the 4 Teenagers after being on top .They all had such a great sound together as did Louis ! Thanks to Jimmy and Herman for their time and a fine job by Tom Meros .
I was a student at Stitt JHS 1955 -1957.......right at the peak of their story......
Frankie actually came to a regular assembly at the school and was celebrated like a returning War Hero.
In those days, everyone, black or white wanted to form a singing group....and if you didn't know what group sang the latest hit songs, then you were not cool.
I'll never forget the unique experience of being a little white kid, growing up in that neighborhood and attending that school.....It formed the person I am today....without a doubt.....I still use the expressions and language of that time in my daily speech.
It will always be a part of me....and although at times it was daunting to be in a reverse minority situation, it was tame by today's standards..
I just had to make sure i had enough money to give up to the bad guys who threatened, but be cool enough to be part of and embrace the culture....which of course meant ...Doo Wop.
To this day, I still know the groups and the lyrics of most of those songs of 1956-and onward....especially those of The Teenagers.
Thanks for the great trip to the past with Herman and Jimmy......loved it
Mark Newton
marco714@verizon.net
Marco Newton that was so intelligently crafted and refreshing, thanx for sharing!😊
Marco Newton wow you actually saw these kids in person at school?? Do you remember of how Frankie was in person seemed like a happy kid.
That’s beautiful! Felt very genuine and like a nostalgic time for you ! Frankie was special - never met him born in 80’s but I feel I’m an old soul. Love great music with feeling 🎶
wonderful 🙏🏾
Went to St. Rose of Lima..164/St Nick..hail from 160. Great post.
I liked that the band members were mature and didn’t insult or put Frankie down. Even after everything that transpired.
Real ones!
The movie Why Do Fools Fall In Love Can Be remade they focus more on his wives in the end then frankie actual music career we need more of the teenagers in this movie and what happened with his career on the music aspect
The funny thing is that the movie script was done decades before the movie itself was released in the 1990s. Believe it or not, the script was floating around since the 1970s and the producers actually asked Michael Jackson if he would have been interested in portraying Frankie Lymon and he declined. I personally believed he might have regretted it after doing the movie adaptation of The Wiz.
Hollywood necesita una cosa loca qué contar. El impacto lo cuenta de pasada Little Richard y ni si quiera nos mostraron el sufrimiento real de Frankie. Una pena.
It was a pretty bad movie and Larenz Tate was terrible as Frankie. Looked nothing like him, too tall and too old. He was 23 playing a 14 year old. Always wanted a better version of Frankie's story.
Agree
Frankie was pressured to go solo way too early!! These guys were amazing. I’m 32 and wasn’t even alive during this era, but love doo wop era and FRANKIE LYMON. Shame how he went out. Rip shining star❤💫
His voice was literally one of a kind. Omg
A male soprano,is not heard of often!!!
@@denisefleming1389 he was 13. That's probably why
I'm 72nd; there will never be singers like these old-school singers. The songs had substance being in love, no cursing, respect, and class. Oh, how I enjoyed those days remembering my siblings who has gone on to their resting place. Sometimes when I listen to these old school songs, my thoughts go back, wishing I could turn back the hands of time.
Legends. I revisit this interview every now & then. So glad they forgave Frankie for leaving the group. It really was not his fault; he didn’t know any better.
he didn’t have the right people in his ear :(
They should've convinced him to stay. Where were his folks??
A book about Frankie would be very interesting.
So would a better movie. The one they made was said to be very inaccurate. Also the actor playing Frankie was 23 years old playing Frankie aged 13-25, seemed much taller than Frankie and the lip syncing just looked bad too seeing Frankie's young voice come out of an adult. Would've liked a movie more along the lines of Ray or Walk the Line. Why Do Fools Fall in Love at times felt more like a comedy. I read it also took the movie 15 years to get made.
Jason Harshman actually Frankie was lip syncing by the age of 23. His voice changed and that was the only way he could perform those early hits
@@nuknuknuk111 but Frankie could still sing!
i am a puerto rican teenager; I love rock and roll and Doo-wop . I'd really like to have these guy's autograph; I enjoy their music very much
Kevin, send me an e-mail at rockroll-history@usa.net -> Tom
Glad to hear the truth spoken from Herman and the other original singer of the group!!! I had enjoy thi🎉❤❤❤
What a great interview, these gentlemen are at the HEART of the music we hear today. They came from nothing to become Legends in the music business, and they are still humble and talented to this day, what a life they have had. I listen to Frankie and his group at least once a week, and have done so for about 50 years, and they still sound great. Hope they continue to perform and" SHARE" the music with us..........
They actually cleared a lot of stuff up thanks for this interview
What a great interview with two class acts. It’s a genuine tragedy that this group couldn’t have stayed together longer - so much talent and charisma. There’s no telling what musical heights they could have reached.
I'm 19 and Frankie is still one of my top favorite artist of all time
Hats so awesome that your 19 ha! I'm 42 and only love their music all the more
That's so awesome I meant
Sir this video has made me cry tears of joy I remember listening to Frankie back in 1958 in Harlem and the Brooklyn NY 😢😮😮😮
i wish current teenagers would value this music genre. thankful for this video... if only i could find more physical items from the Teenagers
They’re from Harlem not Washington Heights but all the while great interview. To watch them perform was awesome. I love The Teenagers
Thanks for this fine interview. Can't tell you how many times I've listened to their tunes, since right back then. My very best wishes to Herman and Jimmy. I promise to remember.
I was nine when Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers became famous. They were great from the start. Rock and roll was brand new, fabulous, and made life so great for young people everywhere.
Oh how I wish we could go back too that era of great talented men and women who really had a true talent of singing ......
This is amazing! Big fan of Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers!! How I wish to experience this era!
Me to
Wow, it's so good to see that the Teenagers music is still alive!! I was a big fan of the Teenagers, and Frankie had an amazing voice and talent. I still miss him.
He was the very best kiddie tenor I ever heard in person which is saying a lot because there were so many other kiddie tenors in vocal groups of that era including the lead vocalist here with the Teenagers: Timothy Wilson, formerly of Tiny Tim & the Hits from the 1950's!
Ella Presley Frankie has been gone for a very very long time
I love hearing these stories on how these truly amazing pioneer groups got started and changed the course of music. Should be in the RR Hall of Fame
Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers have been in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame a long time now.
Frankie Lymon, Herman Santiago, Sherman Santiago, Jimmy Merchant, Joe Nagro, Frankie Lymon and The Teenager, ❤❤❤❤❤
I went to school Edward w stitt with Frankie's brother Timothy Lyman 7th and 8th grade. I lived on 146th street between Amsterdam and convent Avenue
You can see the passion in the interviewer when he is talking to the Teenagers (hard to call them that now) and this is the way in interview should be done,
thanks for keeping *ROOT OF ROCK ALIVE* MY GENERATIONS (BIG BAND R&R R&B❤
Just a terrific interview ... one of the best. I lived on 165th Street & Amsterdam Avenue and remember how much neighbors spoke of those '5 young kids singing rock and roll on radio'! And while walking with my father up towards Audubon Avenue where we saw all the Teenagers driving by in a convertible ... man oh man, I looked at my father and he said, 'you see, Al, even you can sing in a group and become famous like them.' Hard to believe they were only together for about 17 mos. before Frankie went solo.
Al Heitzer Wow
Al Heitzer U were so lucky..
Wow..thanks for the interview guys. It's so sad things happened that way. If Frankie would have had the support of his friends he would likely still be here. Such a sad story.
Wow, their recall of what happened is amazing! I could listen to their stories all day!
I’m a 18 and one of few that actually appreciate this music👌🏽🔥
Could you imagine seeing street footage of these groups singing before they were famous
Thank you Tom for your interview! Hi Jimmy & Herman.Its nice to see & hear your story! I'm 39 and grew up a lot with your music in Dublin,Republic Of Ireland. My friends were listening to rave & hip hop (not that I dislike hip-hop or anything!) in the late 1990's ,I was listening to you guys, still have a nice collection on 33rpm. Also Spaniels,The Turbans,The Monotones,The Cadillacs, The Valentines,The Cleftones, The Hearts.I love your song,I'm Not A Juvenile Delinquent. That is a really rocking song with piano in background and sax from Jimmy Wright, lovely melodic music. Thanks for your group with Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers! Was in New York for first time ever,March 2020,It was great to finally see the city for myself and get the feeling for it. This music got me through school and doo-wop in general in late teens, the harmonies are really nice. Vinny, Dublin,Ireland.
Hi Vinny. I loved Doo Wop and The Teenagers. I lived across the Irish sea in Wales UK and bought all the records at the time - I was 11/12 years old.
This is a great interview. Thanks.
Imagine walking down the street and hearing this beautiful music smh why'd I have to be 80s baby
It's a shame that jimmy, joe, Sherman & Herman was not able to patch things up with Frankie before he died i know to them it was like losing a brother. Now Frankie, Sherman & joe are smiling down on Jlmmy & Herman as they keep the group's legacy well known to all generations # Nothing but Respect 4 Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers.
Herman Santiago is my boy! We worked together at Choice Courier in '97
I enjoyed every min of this interview 👍 good job
This was fun to watch! A great bit of history. Thank you for posting!
They're so cute lol (: it saddens me to think that when they pass it'll be like that thread of history will vanish , I hope they live forever D;
I wish they had more interviews with these guys
Nice to see this. The very first concert I was ever taken to was by our Prof. Orman from our little Negro School in Lampasas Texas. We were segregated and rarely was there a public concert Blacks could attend. Prof. Orman bought tickets and took our class to Austin to see a "Cavalcade of Stars" , as they were called in those days. The show included Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, Fats Domino, LaVerne Baker, Chuck Berry, a young performer named James Brown and some others I don't remember. It was my intro to live music. I have been a musician since that show as I slipped under the ropes and went up the stairs and sat next to Chuck Berry after his performance. We watch the crowd cheer for Frankie and the Teenagers, and then by shocked by James Brown! It was my welcome to Rock N Roll.
Such amazing music history here. Appreciate this interview.
As a countertenor, I study the work of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. The more I do, the more important it seems.
A wonderful interview and so natural. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing it with us all.
I've watched them sing on the Frankie Lane show so many times, it is just incredible
What a fantastic interview. God bless Herman & Jimmy, what I wouldn't give to see them live some day
Great interview, and great questions, so happy to see these wonderful guys. When and where was this recorded?
Dearborn, Michigan, in 2012.
This was so educational and great to watch. It's so hard to believe that someone turned Frankie Lymon on to Heroin at such a young age. I think he was 15 years old. It's always a different story in the movies. These guys are great. Happy to see them doing what they love.👍
There is a lessen to be learned by this
This was awesome to learn. Great interview.
This is so great .. What an awesome interview.....Good job Thanks!
awesome!! I cannot get enough.... lovely..... the full story is incredible.... I watch this everyday,,,, keep it coming...
These guys are just fantastic they sound just as great as they did years ago .
Thank you for a legacy of beautiful music.
I loved this interview! Thank so much for showing the guys in action at the end! Wonderful!
Great interview and performance. I really enjoyed it!
I'm crazy about the rock a and roll. That music was for dancing and having fun. I love it. Thank u for sharing it with us
Oh man 😂❤❤❤🎉🎉😂🎉 I've just recently started listening to you guys bout a month ago and though i remembered WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE it was the rest of your guys music that hit me all the more I'm 42 years old but I absolutely loved the music of the mid to the late 50s when i was a kid my mother loved this music she was a teenager back in the 50s I was born when she was 40 she died on Frankie lymons birthday 9 30 1990 8 was just 10 but that music she loved I've carried in my heart all these years and now im in love with the 50s more than ever before my mom also loved Richie Valens and Buddy Holly as well. My music of choice was straight up the 60s but now I've included the 59s as well after all.... Without the golden 50s I wouldn't have my 60s !!!! I'm so glad to see these 2 of The Teenagers still performing that touches me very deeply 😢 I also loved Little Richard as well and yes Chuck Berry.
Great interview! Thanks.
Funny I'm from Washington Heights and went to the same JHS I never knew this type of history. Wild!!!!
Such a wonderful trip down memory lane by the original Teanagers
Wow Herman lived in my building I lived on the 5th floor and Herman on the fourth floor Amsterdam and 175th st, sometimes we sat on the stoop to chat , I was 17 yrs old I forgot how old Herman was, I'm 81 now and the first time I see this video, I do not know if Herman still with us, if he still with us I say hello to Herman, I never forgot you Man, God bless
Great interview ❤🏴🏴🏴🏴🦄
This is great! It's so neat to hear stories like this. Thank you so much. I've often thought that "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" was the breakthrough record for black artists because, as you mentioned, it was covered by three other artists but still outsold them all and went higher on the charts.. Up until then, I can't think of another record that was covered by white artists that did that. Thank God for TH-cam that we can enjoy the past in this way.
The two surviving members were ripped off by the recording company and judges, who kept their money for themselves. That song made millions of dollars, however, because they were teenagers it was easy to take advantage of them, and they did. Royalties is still being paid out on that song, however, the thieving record producer put down his son's name as the writer of this song, at that time his son was a baby, however, he wrote that song. Shameful.
ingrid gibbs. It was not uncommon. Many musicians were ripped off by managers, producers, companies etc. I know of NONE that ever tried to make it right. The main spirit of these vile creatures is not music. It is greed.
They have no shame
My.dad was part of vocal group when he was 15 back in 1955 and they got taken as well the company and management .
Wow that pisses me tf off.
Great interview! Awesome insight into the past!
Great insight. I really enjoyed it and to see them singing again has been wonderful.
Tom: You are unbelievable the way you chase down all this talent and develop their story in such an entertaining and informative way. It's like Doo Wop history!! Now, the Doo Wop finale' planned for next week (and Teenagers on the bill) on Long Island under the careful tutelage of LAR!! And aren't we all blessed to have grown up, matured, and aged with 5 part harmony as our background music..Thank You!!!
Thank you for this very interesting and informative look at this group and the music business at this period in time. I had seen the movie about Frankie and his marital mess *Why do fools fall in love*, but it rather glossed over a lot about Frankie's career with the Teenagers. This interview fills in a lot of gaps about the group and their career. I'm glad the two surviving members now realize that it was the record company who made that choice, and that Frankie was as much a casualty of that choice as they were. I agree, it was a stupid choice to have Frankie go solo at that time and it declined both his and The Teenagers careers, as well as shortened their legacy. The lead singers you mentioned who went solo from their groups only did so after they and their groups were already well established artists. Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers hadn't been around long enough to have made enough of a foothold in the industry or with the public to sustain either careers. Being with the group might also have helped when Frankie's voice naturally changed and he lost his signature soprano. Without the group Frankie was forced to sing falsetto to keep his voice high and it didn't work. Had he been with the group they might have helped work out a more successful new musical style that allowed him to use his natural voice.
+cisio64123 No it was a good move because Frankie was the sound and the talent. His problem was being introduced to drugs at a early age and getting hooked. His voice was beautiful high and low he could of transformed to a new sound but the drugs did his thinking.
It was because of the drugs. A lot of the greats get/got caught up in the drugs, alcohol abuse and other corruption in the industry. Drugs and these other corruptions destroyed a lot of careers in the industry. Look at Whitney . It affects the vocals and their physical bodies in general
This man is an excellent interviewer
They sound amazing! I'm looking for concert dates!
What a great interview !
Great interview!
I wouldn't mind seeing them in concert. Seems like such a fun show. I believe Frankie is smiling down. If he had the right ppl around him and yes probably stayed in GA, he would still be with us. He would have been performing to this day im sure. RIP to a legend a pioneer.
Frankie and the Teenagers were such an incredible influence on me while growing up to try to put it into words would be impossible. All the Motown stuff, 60's, 70's, you name it, have all had an impression on my growing soul, but these guys, the Teenagers, were one of the strongest. I was around 8 or 9 when my mother had to tell me that Frankie had passed away many years earlier because I was damned determined to meet him. I cried for days afterward lol. Tom, I ask you with the most open heart possible, would there be any way at all to get a tangible piece of history to hold in my hands? Where would I go to get an original 45 or even an autograph? I don't want to bother them with my littleness, so I thought I'd go to you to ask. Thank you.
Interesting interview, great to hear how it all went down, seemed like a magical time to be alive! Would have been interesting to see what happened if the record companies hadn't broke the group up. Love that these guys are still at it! Thanks for enriching all of our lives with your wonderful music Jimmy & Herman!
Tom is a cool dude, one of the best interviews I've ever seen!
They have a great memory!
That was fasicinating interview! All this time though with Why Do Fools Fall In Love and others still to this day no one has been able to replace him or make up for that spot that missing place its like he's dead, everyone tries to sing it but still no Frankie Lymon. They fill his place in many ways, live on to keep what was alive in a new kind of vibe. However at the end of the day there is still that fire that keeps burning with that one word what if?It is a question that will never have an answer. It's kind of like a gap that will never be quite filled, still a place for wonder and never trully understanding why or what could have been if he was still here today.
Tom, are you still in touch? Do you know if they (or either of them) wrote ABCs of Love? Did Lymon contribute? Right now, Morris Levy is listed as the writer, which I know is fiction.
It's my opinion all these singing groups of the 1950s 60s 70s part of the 80s and 90s should have gotten them all in one place to induct them into the rock and roll hall of fame in one shot that includes the girl group's as well they all deserve lot's of respect. ..
I love this group so much I have kids listen to The Teenagers they are the Best ever i love me some them
do a part 2 ask more questions about the group and the insdustry back then and more about frankie's life and the other members that passed we want to get to know the group unfortuantly i wasent born in the era
TheEternalWisdom I would like to hear more about Sherman and Joe.
Good interview
Franky had a very beautiful voice and impressive charisma
Im search for " family secrets " about frankie lymons life,.....! Please somebody.
Help......!!
Been looking,they are definitely keeping that book closed..
Me too!!🤦🏾♀️
Nice interview!
I don't care what anybody says,but I believe Frankie Lymon was murdered.I don't believe that movie one bit.There's A LOT that wasn't told about those events,and Warner Bros Knows more than what was told in the movie "Why do fool's Fall in Love" .Morris Levy owed Frankie and the Teenagers back pay from all the money that the record company had made from their songs.Frankie,along with the Teenagers didn't get there fare share,and morris had this up his dirty crafty JEWISH sleeves since the day he signed them into the record company.
Morris Levy had frankie killed right before Frankie was due to pursue all the money which Levy had owed him.Morris Levy is a liar,a thief,and a murderer. And I also believe Little Richard himself is also a puppet and. May be the only person who knows exactly what really happened back than.Little Richard had made a statement in the film "Why do fools fall in love" during the Courtroom scene where he was called to the witness stand to testify and recall his friendship with Frankie Lymon to the judge.Little Richard said in the film "Morris Levy didn't even use the Vaseline".Little Richard has a sense of humor and could've made that statement to not only describe how black performers were swindled by record producers but also to describe the possible Gay sodomy ritual that Lymon and or the Teenagers might have been subjected to by Levy himself.This sick and evil practice is still in Hollywood til this day along with many other satanic rituals.All this is up for debate,but who knows (I'm just stating my opinion,not claiming to know as if I were there).
I know I’m late but when he said “Morris didn’t even use no Vaseline” I think he meant like he fucked him over financially with no remorse not in a literal way
Great story thanks Tom!!!
WHO WAS THE LEAD IN THE SHOW AT THE END? LEWIS LYMON?
This interview was 46 years after Frankie Lymon died in 1968... one has to wonder how many times these men have had to say his name in all those years.
When Puerto Rican and Blacks were one
Myron Smith Pre-West Side Story.
Yes so true
We still are come to NYC
We still are ❤
2 last members...God bless them
Nice interview. These guys seem so nice. Mature and still fun. I love the way they defer to and support each other, maybe that's how they managed to continue their life's journey together so long. Amazing!
Good Interview!!!
Hello Tom. Great interview! I'm trying to figure out what year it was. Wikipedia has Jimmy retiring in 2005, but the guys mention the boyband "One Direction", who formed in 2010, and Justin Beiber, who hit later than that.
Frankie had such a beautiful, angelic voice. Rip
There's no arguing with Zeitgeist. "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" 1955. In Chicago, Chuck Berry records "Maybelline," 1955. Elvis' version of "Blue Suede Shoes," 1956. I was in junior high and knew all the words to "Fools," full-fledged rock and roll.
Can I please have a autograph I own a lot of his records and I'm only 12 please it would mean the world
So awesome!
One of the greatest.