Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers - I Promise To Remember (1983)

This documentary deals with the rise and fall of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. The Teenagers were one of the first Black rock and roll groups to cross the color barrier and to achieve general popularity. Their fame blossomed and faded in the 1950s
Produced by Pacific Street Films
www.pacificstreetfilms.com
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[@robin1016]

Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers planted the seeds to all modern boy bands. Its sad that they are forgotten, without them there would be no Jackson 5, no New Edition, no The Boys, no Boyz ll Men and so on. They started it all. And Frankie Lymon... without him, no child would have been taken seriously in the music industry. We miss Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers.

[@SwingRiots]

James Riley I would go beyond that. I would go as far as to say that Why Do Fools Fall In Love is the beginning of pop music as we know it. There is a youthful exuberance to it that doesn’t exist in anything before it. They were the first out and out bona fide teenage pin up pop group ever.

[@teecutzbarbershop535]

James Riley Very true

[@missbritt288]

Aint that the truth ... Thats where all boyband music originates from ! Street corner DOO WOP

[@dwightlove3704]

James Riley Frankie Lymon was the original Michael Jackson but he is never mentioned.

[@secretagent0280]

THANK YOU.

[@68ElPadrino]

This kid was the definition of a true artist. It's sad. RIP Brotha.

[@the1onlykiafohpluskate935]

Really sad how the big companies robbed these kids from ALLLLL the money they made🙁. I went from watching Florence Ballard to this and it's just a Tragedy dying so young & talented😢

[@kottyking]

The1&OnlyKiaFOH Plus Kate by people you mean Jews

[@mrtee8410]

Spooky how Diana Ross was linked to the group snd Florence...

[@toniventura7010]

It DIDN'T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY. BUT IT DID. IT WAS THE BIRTH OF R N R , R N B EVERYONE WANTED TO GET ON THAT SO CALL DO WOOP MONEY TRAIN AND FINDING THE CHICKS. COME RAIN OR SHINE. BUT MOST IMPORTANT THEY FORGOT TO LOOK INTO FINDING A DECENT AND TRUSTWORTHY LAWYER. BUT YET FAITH DIDN'T ALLOW IT . 😢😧 AND DRUGS WERE EVERYWHERE. IT WASN'T ALL PEACHES AND CREAM FOR THESES R N R GROUPS . IT'S WRONG TO SAY BLAME IT ON THE JEW. SO WHEN THEY LOOKED 👀 INTO THEIR FINANCES IT WAS TO LATE 😢 SO BLAME IT ON THE BASA NOVA BABY . 😠😎😭. I CALL IT A "STUPIDITY" 😩THING. THANKS FOR SHAREING . ✌

[@dwightlove3704]

@@kottyking Along with the Italian Mafia the Genovese Crime Family owned the record company that Lymon and his group worked for.Morris Levy was their front man.

[@Ryan2022]

They didn’t rob the kids. Kids aren’t allowed to sign contracts. The teenagers parents had to sign the contracts. So they can ask their parents where the money went

[@lindadee2053]

Frankie's leads are fabulous but the Teenagers' back harmonies are stunningly beautiful. Sadly for Frankie, he couldn't make it on his own without them.

[@allthingsme641]

I learned more in this 27:34 minutes than I Ever did watching the movie. Thank you.

[@SavannahHybridCubs]

It horrible he was chewed up and spit out like garbage and he was a gifted, adorable child. Watching the earlier videos and then watching the 1965 videos it brings tears to my eyes.

[@chunkk5426]

BORIS WERE EVERYWHERE IN THAT ERA PAPA! 🇵🇷

[@Ryan2022]

He was given multiple chances, actually. His voice changed and the public moved on. He was on multiple labels

[@ThriftedDadHat]

@@Ryan2022 he was exposed to sex, drugs and violence as a child. He wasn’t given enough chances. I don’t expect a young man with arrested development to make sound decisions.

[@jadesims6129]

He should've been an actor. I think he would've thrived in the film industry.

[@clariceisbeauty]

@@Ryan2022 his voice didn’t change in a bad way! He grew up and his voice matured. He sounded amazing at his time of death. The industry was obsessed with kid singers. He simply wasn’t cared for he didn’t have a chance from the beginning 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@MoodyPoet]

Sad Story about a great singer in history. Drugs will always be the downfall of anything great.

[@newwjeerzeey7924]

DeShawn Kirkman u so very much sexy

[@neilgibbons2532]

For some reason after world war 2, their where herein everywhere

[@melvina628]

And not getting paid properly will also be the downfall.

[@furiousgtribal4325]

Not to mention devils stealing your rightful shares. It's not easy being young and talented and having the stage taken away from you. Then it's even worse when you can't even reap the benefits of your labor. Greedy Devils man

[@kashoncomment6151]

@@neilgibbons2532 alot of soldiers brought that habit with them. They did and seen horrible things and i read once that they had smuggled drugs in caskets of died solders.

[@stuartperry1047]

What a talent! Frankie's voice was huge- and he had tremendous poise and stage presence for such a young kid. He left us way too early- but, like Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Tammi Terrell- and so many others, he left a large body of work that can be enjoyed for generations to come.

[@Girlshushyourmouthtv]

Larenz Tate did good playing Frankie💖😍

[@johnabo2149]

i watched that movie twice last night can't believe that movie is 21 year's old. Still a great film

[@johnabo2149]

miss thang here was Married to Charles Phillips back in 57 lol

[@renatasmith7679]

Yes he did cuz he wasn't cute at all.

[@GD-dm6cw]

They need a accurate movie on Frankie. Having a ACTUAL 14/15 year old teenager play as young Frankie. Show how he started heroin at such a young age. I demand another Frankie movie that focuses on him. Lol I wasn’t satisfied with that movie

[@lionel8994]

Renata Smith wasn’t light skinned with good hair huh Renata?

[@LittlePia100]

The year was 1955 I was walking from my house, Manor Village, Sharp CA to catch our school bus to Daly City CA Jefferson H.S. 9th Grade along the Coast.We wer talking about thr new record by Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers. we thought that was the greatest record we have ever listened to. Remember we listened to Jumpin' George KSAN San Francisco The R&B station home of The Romancers out of Mission H.S. In S.F. And Bouncin' Bill KWBR, Oakland CA Listening to Tell Me Darling by Thr Gaylarks. We loved Why Do Fools Fall In Love.😎👍A+ From The Retired College Professor San Bernardino CA 2005.

[@boombapdoom493]

Incredible documentary I’ve always been fascinated with Frankie and the teenagers. Which a proper film was made about them

[@Chloeceegaming..7253]

Love you Frankie❤🥰! Look at your impact. It is 2021 and I'm still listening to your music. I wasn't even thought of when you made it. RIP King. Much respect to the original teenagers. I wish you guys would of stayed together.

[@gabriellew.1164]

Music business is brutal for Black adult artists...imagine the business for poor Black teenagers in 1950's!!! Look how New Edition was cheated in the 1990's!!!

[@angelathompson1733]

Love Frankie Frankie and the teenagers music. I’ve always played it all my life they are all so amazing.

[@repenttoday8070]

You have no friends when you need them the most

[@_dark_170]

Truer words have never been spoken.

[@Julian2Sounds]

We have no friends. We have no enemies. We only have teachers.

[@chasity3878]

Or family sometimes

[@jeanandre6998]

@@Julian2Sounds words of gold

[@RubinoPride]

Good music doesn't die

[@katericox9725]

That's the truth .

[@jordansthoughts54]

Facts

[@AngryBrother360]

"The sad part is that we are still suckers and slaves in the music business today!. We got the talent and the fame...while they get the big money!.😠

[@warrencrawford7751]

So sad and so true I agree with you 💯 💯💯 💯

[@KingTru45]

Tuvok!!

[@antoniojames3756]

That's how they destroy the unity of the group a single amount now you don't have any group and the music rap group singing group all dissipated

[@dwightlove3704]

@@antoniojames3756 DIVIDE-N-CONQUER

[@peterhamlinhamlin8908]

We........whoever...the artist, must now chose a good lawyer, from several groups, refuse to sing or move to another country. This movie said the Teenagers were applauded in England, they could've stayed there as harmony professors for the Beatles until their time 5 years later!!! Just a few million$$

[@joshuahertz3467]

I wish I could go back in time to save Frankie to show him different shit

[@joshuahertz3467]

@Richard Fisher they didn’t really care about my boy

[@redw.2452]

13 on the road where was his parents damn the industry did that boy wrong he died with no money poor thing didnt read the contract

[@MrThedonhead]

I’m sure he tried different shit and didn’t need showing but chooses the hardest shit

[@rayofsunshan]

@@redw.2452 His mother was dead and his father was an addict I think (have to fact check that).

[@miapimienta7085]

I be thinking that when I look at these documentaries of these great artist

[@nikkilapri]

2019 anyone?

[@chrisjohnell2685]

Shequita Brown you’re 😍😍😍😍

[@donnabernick6467]

Listening...10/28/19

[@Ecila2u]

Yes....11/12/2019

[@Myt229]

2023

[@raginbakin1430]

2020 now

[@Gr8LilLady]

This was DOO WOP! Real Music that still reverberates in my Soul! Rest in Peace Frankie Lymon 😢❤

[@logicalspeaks5666]

So talented and so young and innocent....however the evils of the day will sneak in and blind you, hide and steal the talent and hurt the soul...bless the soul and curse evil....be strong and live on....

[@lionel8994]

The Record industry Owners robbed them blind.

[@alexas0394]

The thing that's making me mad is the fact that his voice sounded so good in the clip they played of his voice after he grew up,so they must've been deaf in one ear when they heard him or something cuz he sounded amazing.

[@yup_im_tiff]

That’s what I don’t understand he sounded amazing as a adult

[@Ryan2022]

@@yup_im_tiff he had a good voice as an adult but it wasn’t that distinctive and in order for him to re-launch his career they would’ve had to have remade him entirely. First of all you couldn’t call him Frankie anymore because that brings back memories of his young teen years. He would need to be completely disassociated from the teenagers and that style of music in every way shape or form and rebranded as a singer in a totally different genre. Even under the best of circumstances it would’ve been very difficult to say the least. Most of the popular music that I listen to over and over again as a teenager I haven’t touched in years that’s just the way it goes you move on in your listening habits

[@clariceisbeauty]

@@Ryan2022 Patrick PLEASE! His voice was as special and distinctive as any other singer from back then. I’m a very eclectic person when it comes to music so I’ve listened to all kinds of music from different eras. The decline of Frankie Lymon had nothing to do with his voice. It was the infatuation with child entertainers, the mishandling of them, the advantage they took of them and the lack of care for them! It’s truly sad. He was young and there was nobody to make sure those boys were on the right path, but plenty of people to take advantage of them.

[@wvu05]

@@yup_im_tiff If you think that was good, listen to his last recording, "Seabreeze." It was phenomenal! He still had it and then some.

[@generalgrax]

This is so deep & heartbreaking. Clearly Frankie was MJ before MJ and once the labels used him up nobody even tried to give him a chance, he still had talent a la Nat King Cole kind of way.

[@focusonu9668]

Ravishing Slick Frankie was never on MJ's level. MJ had enough talent to go from child to adult and have hit after hit.

[@camaradiop3731]

ms Marsh Ravishing Slick & your comments are interesting considering the recent demise of the man who was inexorably demonized, Joseph Jackson. It was him & Michael Jackson who met with CBS/Epic executives (after the disappointing sales of "The Jacksons" & "Goin' Places"), asking for an opportunity to write more of their own material, leading to "Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)", which peaked at #7 on the charts, ushered in the great "Destiny" LP & the rest is history. If not partially for the resolve of the man nearly everyone damns, Joseph Jackson, the Jacksons AND Michael Jackson would have been another group of ephemeral music sensations.

[@ruthavery8245]

@@focusonu9668 Michael had a father who help to take care of his career until he was a grown man. Evidently the teenagers did not have a parent to help them with their careers.

[@angelapowell8313]

My heart broke for Frankie

[@NBuddie]

True. No comparative all. Michael was way younger like at the age of 5 didn't get his gift from singing in church like Frankie had the opportunity to. Michael was born a gifted child

[@GarwinWayne]

I saw this on PBS back in August of 1983

[@ceofounder]

God bless his soul. What an amazing and mega talented singer. Respect and Salute to the late great Frankie Lymon.

[@GarwinWayne]

Before the Jackson 5, The Sylvers, New Edition, The Boys, Another Bad Creation & Boyz II Men..there was Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers. Those groups were the branches of this tree while Frankie & The Teenagers were the roots

[@eggbertinkabod1121]

THANK YOU

[@neilgibbons2532]

Except for all the above except for FL and Teenage sing ABOUT is sex sex sex

[@divinelove249]

You obviously have not listened to the music of the latter. LOL. They do not talk about sex wth especially Another Bad Creation

[@Magmen67]

Before there was the Teenagers, there were Ray Whooten & the Mello-Moods. They were a teenage group from the early fifties 51-53.

[@ladyprecise77]

He was the Michael Jackson of the 50’s and was only 13 years old when he started singing

[@Shannonbarnesdr1]

he had an amazing voice no mater his age, his late teen and young adult voice was so beautiful ! i cant get over how no one wanted him. so sad and what a waste !

[@heavenawilson5140]

He looks thirteen...Even as he got older...He looked like a Teenager...

[@Elwrt455]

During the 1960's, Berry Gordy of Motown used Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers as a model for the Jackson 5

[@warrencrawford7751]

I agree with you 💯 💯💯 💯

[@terrencedickes6525]

The jackson 5 wasn't robbed like the teenagers were.Joe Jackson saw to that.to bad some adult didn't step in like Joe Jackson

[@christopherparrisjr.3146]

Seeing that Hollywood A Go-Go footage was upsetting. He lip-synched to a song that he recorded ten years earlier. He had some front teeth missing and his eyes didn’t look right at all.

[@randicarwell6230]

and wasn't past mid 20s

[@yup_im_tiff]

Yup he was bad off at that point

[@deemune1146]

Frankie had such an amazing voice. And was just talented he own the stage

[@CROWNOFTHORNS82]

Seems like Frankie needed the Teenagers more, as soon as he left group, he dies. I know the Teenagers would've tried to help him stay out of trouble. Sad and historical.

[@incrediblec872]

Probably was murdered knowing the world the way I do now.

[@IceManLikeGervin]

The original 5: Jimmy Merchant, Herman Santiago, Frankie Lymon (RIP), Joe Negroni (RIP) & Sherman Garnes (RIP).

[@nola06]

Thank you for this film. I've always been facknated by this story. The music business will use you up and discard you. Today,'s not so savvy singers get into a 360 deal which from my understanding doesn't work in their favor. Too bad they didn't copyright their songs and trademark their brand.

[@reelblack]

Google Morris Levy. A mob controlled record label owner who screwed hundreds of artists. Systems are designed to benefit and sustain the ones who create them.

[@tanyagilliard6727]

Wonderful Singer... Died to Soon.. S.I.P. Frankie Lymon

[@djkaneck1]

Man, every manager he had was sleazy, especially Sam Bray.

[@wabz.z]

Did Sam Bray rob him as well??

[@cozycool3505]

TheBrabon1 - no nope but 95% were white or Jewish though !!

[@yonaavraham9594]

@@cozycool3505 Was Barry Gordy any better?

[@cozycool3505]

Yona Avraham - Yes 100% of your brethren and he never ever went after Jewish nor white artist promising the world but only giving the dirt.

[@cozycool3505]

Yona Avraham - Name 5 black agents /music execs/owners that purposely went after music that Jews/Italians or the Irish created and swindle them out of their royalties /earnings/name or lifetime achievement status $$$ ....I'll wait however I know you can't do that so it may take a year !

[@robinnewmanburton]

So sad how a boy becomes a man and he is dejected and rejected. Still just as talented but people get stuck in their minds of what people start out as, and won't let that vision go.

[@newwjeerzeey7924]

Robin Newman Cage hey sexy how are you

[@nuknuknuk111]

Robin Newman Cage like bow wow lol

[@TaheerahakaTT]

Could be why Michael Jackson tried to stay a "boy".

[@rumwoldleigh2544]

Jimmy Castor has no business saying that Frankie didn't have a voice as an adult. He was very good, but sounded too old for his years. If he had lived to 40 singing like that, he would have been back on top, no question.

[@ahnraemenkhera7451]

OR someone COULD have reached out to him and gotten him (& Prince & Michael) some much needed, constructive help!!! The astonishingly brutal thing about the US is that its citizens can never seem to wrap their heads around the idea that a person can have a monstrous amount of talent & still be, in every other respect, an ordinary person. Which warped perspective seems to automatically have one or two predictable results: the ‘talented’ become egomaniacal & self-destructively stupid; the audience is trained to worship them onstage & to savage & exploit them behind the scenes-usually, just to feel “good” about NOT being equally talented. I just wish the media would simply quit depicting people as “celebrities” & stick to what they’re good for-selling products. Not individuals. If we got the number of famous people down to a few, those few would have to actually be better than good at SOMETHING. As it is, we’re just chock full of famous mediocrities who really can’t DO very much & are monetized all out of proportion to their output & contribution-as well as thieving opportunity away from the young who haven’t had a chance at promotion.

[@iriswilliams2266]

What a Great Group. I miss this kind of group singer's singing love songs......

[@lijahp1]

In those dark times for musical every one that was black got rob except for James Brown because he had his own record label. He couldn't read but he was smart enough not to trust the other people.

[@abramlittle7102]

they talk bad abt mayweather the same way but he's his own boss.

[@mostever2882]

James Brown faked his missing eye

[@buckoneal1888]

Chuck Barry was smart with his money. But he didn't have a label...

[@cherrydavis7855]

Ray Charles was very smart too.

[@albaum4370]

Frankie lymon was too good for his own good

[@zayzay97toxhubby]

They used him his adult voice was way better Rest In Peace

[@candyDander]

I agree!

[@pierrebaptiste2940]

It was something about Frankie. He had "IT" he was destined to be a star. It's sad the drugs and his age caught up with him in the end. He will always be remembered.

[@jessiedoggie1]

I remember hearing Why do Fools Fall in Love in the juke box at the corner drug store in late '55 or early '56 when I was Frankie's age. The great sound from the Wurlitzer or whatever juke box was mesmerizing. I immediately became a fan of doo wop and went to all of Alan Freed's shows. When I went on to high school and college, I sang in several groups, all of them integrated. We performed locally, but never went on to record except for demos. I've been a fan of doo wop all my life. Just the other day I youtubed I'm not a Juvenile Delinquent and it was amazing - digitally remastered in stereo. Frankie was on my left and the Teenagers were on my right (unless I reversed the earphones). It was like they were all there in the same room! What a difference from the scratchy 78s and 45s and cheap phonograph that I had growing up. Btw, the commentary from Jimmy and Herman is so articulate and intelligent. Sad that Frankie died so young and that Sherman and Joe also died before their time.

[@paulneighbors6066]

Great story. Thanks for sharing

[@jannybee2012]

@@deeprits4386 savage.

[@BlackStorm555]

I would love to know more about Sheman and Joe.

[@jessiedoggie1]

@@BlackStorm555 I would recommend you watch the various interviews given by Jimmy and Herman on KZbin. That's how I learned about the group.

[@BruceBigDaddyWayne1]

Just amazing. Simply amazing. Thanks for this one

[@patrickbush9526]

Wow takes me back so many years. I just lost my brother from a fentanyl overdose. Be careful of your playground tomorrow could be the hit of your life. Literally

[@MrScans1]

That recording ex was lying through his teeth. They took advantage of Frankie& the Teenagers, as well as others. Some of those song are still being used in commercials and movies. Who ever owns the rights still getting money. The New Edition spoke of having hit songs and still living in the hood, while the big shots where making money on their talent.

[@dwightlove3704]

Morris Levy Was the front man of the Genovese Crime family who owned the record company that signed Lymon&The Teenagers they robbed these kids blind from the jump.

[@hunnitmill5214]

His last wife own everything

[@craigdavis4265]

Frankie Lymon R.I.P.🎵🎵🎵🎧🎧🎧🎤🎤🎤💗💗💗🙏🙏🙏

[@richardsleep5242]

I was a teenager myself in the mid-1950's and loved and bought every one of the Teenager's 45 RPM records. The records started out as by "The Teenagers featuring Frankie Lymon." It was the up-tempo R'n'R sides that received radio air play. The R&B vocal group stylings, originally pushed by dj's as the "A" side were reversed and rock'n'roll was jumping off the radio and home portable record players. My father showed curiosity and then interest in rock'n'roll and dubbed them "Frankie Lima Beans." The label the Teenagers & Frankie appeared on was "GEE" after an early cross-over R&B vocal group hit by "The Crows." I remember buying "Speedo" by "The Cadillacs" on the "Josie" label, a hot rock'n'roll number with the lead singer boasting on his nickname, "Now they often call me speedo, but my real name is Mr. Earl." 1956 was a great year for rock'n'roll.

[@cherrismythe3000]

wow what an honor to have lived then only in my dreams...

[@richardsleep5242]

@@cherrismythe3000 It was a fabulous time to be a teenager in multiple ways: the birth of rock'n'roll, dancing the jitterbug to the sounds, slow dancing to the Platters, etc. hot rod cars, sock hops, cruising on 19.9 cent gasoline, cool styles: poodle and straight skirts, saddle shoes and bunny shoes for girls, leather jackets, blue suede shoes, metallic shirts, levi's with garrison belts, & engineer boots for boys and I greased my ducktail (DA) with Vasoline petroleum from a jar. My generation (B. 1942) were the first massive amount of teenagers.

[@ericjones6280]

​​@@richardsleep5242wow my mom would have been 6 years old when Frankie died I myself was born in 1979 but I've always had a fascination with the 50s and 60s love heart from someone who lived through those times

[@ethelparis2255]

love frankie lymon, this is a very good documentary, its good to see some parts of his family and know a little of his family history

[@eggbertinkabod1121]

CAT DOG

[@harmonyjoseph9797]

I agree... They didn't show anything about his family in the movie I thought maybe he was Foster kid with no family

[@buttagrind7659]

Cool lil Doc! That lil dude was special. Wouldn't surprise me MJ studied him to some degree as a kid.

[@andricorayford]

Never realized how young he was. He recorded and released why do fools fall in love at the age of 13. By 17 no one wanted any parts of him. At 18 he was in rehab. Dead at 25. Wow

[@gussiewilliams7712]

Sad ..

[@andricorayford]

@@gussiewilliams7712 very

[@jeffbezos4746]

Sad story

[@andricorayford]

@@jeffbezos4746 😢

[@sunshinesunflowerz1647]

Dead 26, newspaper said 26

[@ladytee7311]

I saw the movie and loved it! It’s hard to believe he had all those wives

[@MiamiPush2theLimit]

He had a beautiful voice as an adult 🥰

[@Shannonbarnesdr1]

oh my god yes !!

[@missyoli1227]

Thanks for posting this documentary! This is the best one I've seen to date.

[@Serenityafterall]

I love those days of my parents time enjoying music artists . 🎼

[@odrice1586]

He sounded good as a man.

[@dionnithompson2140]

Real Good!!!

[@phillosc]

They wanted the signature falsetto

[@yup_im_tiff]

Exactly. The crazy part is when he was putting music out they hated his adult voice.

[@VincentJNewman]

Those songs are Timeless and the Frankie's story is so sad, But his legend lives on!

[@ahnraemenkhera7451]

Thank you, reelblack, for this retrospective look @ Frankie’s ride. He was a little before my time, but it shows what Black people continue to experience in all areas of activity. Imagine what a career he could have had in another country!! Or, if someone had mentored him & the Teenagers-as a group or individually!! Keep doing what you do & we’ll be in touch with living history!

[@TheReneex]

I think they need to produce a feature length film on this truly gifted group. The 1998 film starring Larenz Tate and Haley Berry was a decent film but was a bit simplistic in its overall approach. What's more, it really did not delve into the early beginnings of Frankie and how he and his boyhood friends, Herman Santiago, Sherman Garnes, Joe Negroni and Jimmy Merchant came together to help revolutionize and popularize Rock & Roll. While inspiring future boy and girl vocal groups of the future.

[@butter_cassava]

Really touching tragic story. The real tragedy is the lack of mentorship from the elders around him and the band. The bands legacy will always remain.

[@matrox]

I remember when his stuff was still being played on the radio even before they were oldies.

[@desmondfoley3690]

He had a stage presence that was out of this world for a youngster. It's sad things had to end the way they ended. I wish Frankie had stayed with the teenagers and things may have ended differently It's all in retrospect, but it's advice for a youngster coming up who might one day be faced with a simular circumstance

[@thetruthandnothingbutthetr6484]

That’s because he was wordly at a young age already before entering the music industry

[@Cocochantelle]

@@thetruthandnothingbutthetr6484 worldly? He was 12. What 12 year old even has a true foundation in god? He didn’t even get a chance.

[@thetruthandnothingbutthetr6484]

@@Cocochantelle one that was a PIMP and ran the streets before he even entered into the music business and keep your sky daddy fairy tale to yourself …everyone hasn’t been indoctrinated and brainwashed like you

[@sheready4786]

@@thetruthandnothingbutthetr6484 wow, he was a pimp?

[@xmanxavier77]

Wow he had a real powerful voice the music industry will chew you up and spit you out once they are done with you

[@ceeceetracey9839]

Singing "Goody Goody" LIVE is just effortless for him

[@ariel19virgo]

I love the movie and I love his music growing up thank you for this

[@newwjeerzeey7924]

Ariel u so very much sexy

[@stephanomarr6829]

THE teenagers were THE, Jackson 5,of MY GENERATION, Frankie Lymon, WOULD COME by OUR block, 141,STREET TOO GET his "Medicine ",he my his TRANSITION at AGE 27,YEARS YOUNG.....PS RIP IN THE AFTERLIFE, "WHY do FOOLS fall in love ".....5,*****

[@isaiahwinbrone]

They never got any royalties from the songs that they wrote

[@portiamatthews9654]

What's funny to me is the two guys that told the boys where and who wrote the song Why Do Fools Fall In Love are still trying to be recognized as the ones who really wrote it. If they are the writers, why not just continue writing songs. They're only making claims for just that one song. They should just be writers and let someone else do the singing. When I stated funny, I don't mean funny ha ha ha but funny as peculiar.

[@FleurRebelle]

@@portiamatthews9654 whether they wrote one song or a thousand THEY WROTE IT AND DESERVE THE DAM CREDIT!! THE nerve

[@portiamatthews9654]

@@FleurRebelle you are so stupid and dumb because you lack understanding and knowledge. Read what I commented about. STFU and get an education moran

[@candyDander]

@@portiamatthews9654 There's alot of elements that go into a song being a hit. Luck and timing are part of it. If it was easy anyone could do it, but it's not. It's hard not to be disappointed about a missed opportunity like that.

[@portiamatthews9654]

@@candyDander , I thank you for your response and I respect your opinion. First thing I want to do is to go back to my comment and try to clarify some things. It seems as if what I stated have been taken out of context. FleurRebelle, I don't believe that he/she or whomever didn't watch this video. If the person had wasn't paying attention to what Jimmy Merchant said about the song Why Do Fools Fall In Love. @ 8:47 timestamp Jimmy Merchant is explaining how the song came to be. This is his exact words. "One day they (Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers) was singing in the hallway in front of a man's door (unnamed man) the man came out and asked them why do they sing the same song Everytime. So the man gave them a letter from his girlfriend and it was a poem that she wrote for him. The title of the poem was, "Why Do Birds Sing So Gay". So they changed some of the words and rearranged it, added some music to it and the song was " Why Do Fools Fall In Love" @9:30 timestamp Jimmy Merchant said, and this is when they was on the streets in front of the school they used to attend. Jimmy Merchant points to the school and said they wrote the song @ 630Westcome Avenue during lunchtime they wrote the song "Why Do Fools Fall In Love". The song came from the unnamed man in the apartment building, the unnamed man gave them some letters that his girlfriend wrote poems to him. Why do birds sings so gay became "Why Do Fools Fall In Love." Therefore the girlfriend is the original author of the poem which was made into a song. Even though he didn't say in this video but they used several letters and made songs from them. Which is why I stated in my comment that if they was able to write songs they still could have written several more. The real truth is in the video. Jimmy Merchant basically gave two different accounts for where they wrote the song. More than likely it's where they made the changes to the poem that was written by the girlfriend. When they added the music in their handwriting. Go back to the video and listen to what Jimmy Merchant said about it. The reason why they was wanting credit for that song because it was their biggest seller both in 1956& again in 1981 the song has made multi millions of dollars. Again this is the reason for my comment. Truth be told they didn't write the song. The lady that wrote it never came forward to stake any claims to it or any of the other poems she wrote. This is why they never wrote anything else. They just performed their old songs. The reason why they didn't get any money from the record company because they was too young to be in a legal contracts. They was used and taken advantage of the two years they was in the music industry. They didn't get paid for their performances. The only thing they received was a $100-$125 a week. And if they asked for something they got that. By the time they reached the age of being adults, the music industry didn't want them. Plus the music of the time was changing thanks to Little Richard, Chuck Barry just to name a few in Rock and Roll. Little Richard created the sound and called it Rock and Roll. So new artists like Elvis Presley was burning up the charts. Back to your comment. I agree that writing songs or anything for that matter isn't easy. The elements and factors that one uses is inspiration, ideas, fantasy, life experiences just to name a few. But a writer in any genre of music, a writer in books, movies, articles can and have continued writing. James Patterson, Stephen King, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle are authors and have published numerous best sellers. In the music industry Prince, Michael Jackson, Barry White, Teddy Pendergrass, Ashford and Simpson have written many, many hits. I'm sure you get the idea. Again thank you so much for your response and kindness. I appreciate your comment 😊. You made some good points. I like the fact that you stated your comment in a respectful way. I know that this is a long Comment but I had to point out my points based on the video. I just want to add one more thing. My regards to you and yours during this time due to the coronavirus pandemic quarantine. Be safe and careful.

[@aliciaaldarondo4535]

I remember those songs when I was a little child singing to it. I loved ever thing about this young boy. How he danced and hand gesture and he's cute looks too. They where all good. I felt they where great together. I enjoyed seeing Frankie with he's group then with out them. It was just not TV he same. Sad they did not make no real money on these famous song. What a sad story that he died due to drugs. .

[@kaydot4285]

The world is soo beutiful and at the same time soooo grimy.

[@kodellharris7622]

“Why do fools fall in love” jus finished it on Netflix

[@mamadice5577]

LoC Harris that movie break my heart 😢🤧

[@Leopardeye]

Same ! 😅 Just watched again on Netflix.

[@tinasmalley-craig4443]

It's so sad that they got jipped out of any residuals or anything at all from all the songs they wrote and performed. They worked so hard and dealt with so much.

[@lennettepageruss1751]

Diana Ross did not care Who toes she Stepped on To get to the top.

[@SumayyaIahKonjo]

Contricia Russ or men she slept with

[@natewilson3116]

That's more real than the movie.

[@acceptinglife6491]

this channel is the truth

[@candyDander]

I wish the group had been able to achieve the financial success, and credit they deserved. I feel for Frankie Lymon, he was talented on a level far beyond his years. His adult voice sounded great too, damn!

[@tacogillespie4561]

Good to hear from the great Richard Barrett one of the major purveyors of young singing talent coming out of NYC during the early days of RockmRoll

[@larrygoodman3557]

I remember all of this. I still rember being on the Alan freed show.

[@thesamson1091]

Frankie rest in peace

[@diva99686]

I lived right across the street from Frankie Lymon.

[@sharonwilkinson]

Love Frankie and the teenager ...goodie goodie...mamma don't allow it...my favourite I play everyday is the only way to love xxx rip frankie thank u for ya unforgettable songs xxx

[@RD-nq7fl]

This is a sad 😔 story of a great talent - I hope he is RIP.

[@skettinbutter7843]

He was a little showman thats for sure,

[@starbeauty672]

I wish he’d stayed with his group may have been a different outcome. The more support from friends a brotherhood the better and stronger you stand against this wicked industry

[@moonoggin]

Tribute groups are all the rage now. They need some music like this that we can take our kids to. I was born in 56. My babysitters would have dance parties while my parents were out .. about 8 teens. This is where I 1st heard Frankie Lymon. I grew up to be a singer. He was a great influence even tho my genre is bluegrass. This is such a great documentary and I thank reelblack for hosting it!

[@anthonylong1979]

It was a shame that no one taught them the business of Show Business... Even, Today. Some Music Artists are still being screwed out of music royalties money from the record labels..

[@TheVoice010]

This Doc is better than the Movie!

[@athorpe630]

Great thanks for post. Such a talent wasted to soon.

[@latrenaamaro5966]

I didn't know they sing this many songs

[@idkyou4237]

That lady from the Platters was like 30 fuckin wit Frankie.

[@jeanandre6998]

Yup sure did

[@rebekahkirkendoll669]

I pray that God had mercy on his young soul he died so young. I wonder who introduced him to heroin? Who or where does a child that young get a hold of a drug like that?!? Where was Frankie's parents when he got signed to a record label? Sounds like they got one of those slave contracts like TLC. Too bad nobody thought or knew to get a lawyer. He was so adorable! What talent he was such a brilliant gift to let slip through the cracks.

[@Sister_Sandy]

@Dirk Diggler so you think that God should stop every human from making bad choices and force them to do right? Like snatch the drugs, alcohol and other temptations out of people's hands 🤔 He chose that life and in the industry it was very easily accessible

[@lyte4240]

@Dirk Diggler God gives us a choice to choose, how can you blame the Creator for all wrong doings? 🙄 crazy.

[@lyte4240]

@Dirk Diggler you on crack? 🤨 The ALPHA & OMEGA HE'S THE BEGINNING AND THE END TO EVRYTHING. YOU CHOOSE! DUDE BYE 👋

[@freddy8479]

I now believe that Morris Levy set it up for Frankie TO BE HOOKED AND ADDICTED to make sure that Frankie didn't WAKE UP TO DISCOVER WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO HIS MONEY.

[@stay_low_key]

Diana Ross wasn't all that. Florence Ballard was the best singer of the supremes,. But because DR and BG had an ongoing affair..... I see why Diana wasnt so liked back in her day. She never cared about anyone but herself.

[@CROWNOFTHORNS82]

In front of the curtain was one thing, but behind the curtain was another. Florence, got that the bad end of the stick! All Leads don't stay with the group, they prefer to leave, totally wrong! You want all of us or nothing, we'll go somewhere else where they want all of us!!!

[@ghettogyrl305]

I agree. She’s still a stuck up, over hyped biotch to me even now. Yeah she has some talent but she’s never been all that to me. Her daughter Tracey Ellis Ross is 100000 times better & more talented to me than her and she’s doesn’t even sing lol

[@KingDavidB1]

I’m glad I’m not the only person who thought this!

[@ghettogyrl305]

Free White and 21 opinions are like assholes, everyone has one 😃

[@ghettogyrl305]

Frederick Wells lmfao right 😂 I guess my first comment struck a nerve

[@melissajordan2998]

The Music Business is a Monster! Smh Rest in Peace Frankie.

[@jimmydeanbakker]

Incredibly, this is the group that inspired the Jackson 5.

[@yocz2007]

What a big loss, Frankie Lymon and the teenagers' group would of changing the world of music for the better. May his soul (R.I.P)

[@missannethrope6036]

10 mins in & I'm mad at that guy who says short lifed instead of short lived, because he they did take advantage, he says you couldn't take advantage of a group like the teenagers that "didn't" come out with hit after hit after hit ... so let's FACT ✅ 🎶Why do fools fall in love✅hit 💫Goody Goody✅hit! 💗ABCs of LOVE✅HIT! 💕Fools rush in💖✅ hit! So obviously they did!

[@user-zq3lo2mi5z]

Редчайший талант! На дворе уже 22 год, а до сих пор не родился ещё такой же .

[@BillyBadnewz]

My favorite artist of all time.

[@ioxxd90]

Wow.... The things that some artist went through. Artist sells millions of records, the record exec has a new car, new home, new everything....seem like the artist die penniless......shame

[@Rackingx]

Sad 13 years old and they start helping him get doped out with that needle

[@thetruthandnothingbutthetr6484]

You know he was a PIMP before he joined the music industry…he was no innocent kid

[@tulayamalavenapi4028]

Anybody criticising Mr Joe Jackson does not know how he was the most fierce protector. He & Katherine were the noble reason their 9 children were not on the street.

[@danywill36]

So sad. Such good talent. I love his music

[@wisegal88]

What an amazing talent he had. ❣