In January of 1956, “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” hit the radio in the US and music was changed forever. Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, a group comprised of 3 black and 2 Hispanic teens all under the age of 16, were the most popular vocal group of their time. They toured all over the country, competed with Elvis Presley, Little Richard and Chuck Berry for spots at the top of the charts, and even sang for the Queen of England. In just 18 months, the teens from Harlem, NY achieved SIX top 50 hits in both the US and UK, before corrupt managers took their money and writing royalties and split the group up. 13 year old Frankie went solo, and the Teenagers never had a hit again. Frankie battled drug addiction, homelessness, spousal problems (married 3 times without a divorce), and was in and out of the music industry all before the age of 25. 4 months after his 25th birthday, he died of a heroin overdose. Only 2 of the Teenagers lived past the age of 40.

Although Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers were brought to the attention of younger audiences thanks to the 1998 film starring Halle Berry and Larenz Tate entitled “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” the movie focuses on the court battle between the Lymon widows rather than the intriguing and legendary life of not just Frankie Lymon but the group as a whole (who have an entire inspirational backstory that was completely neglected) and the movie is told from the perspective of the bickering widows. For example, the great Larenz Tate, who was 25 at the time, played Frankie Lymon in this film. And although he was entertaining, Frankie was a 4-foot 13 year-old during the height of his fame.

As the first black teen idols in American music history who inspired many of Berry Gordy’s acts at Motown, THIS story needs to be told, the right way! Before there was a Jackson 5, before the Temptations,  before New Edition and before Boyz II Men (who actually inducted The Teenagers into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993), there was little Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. This petition is for anyone who would like to see a movie with great storytelling, music, and American history all intertwined in one. Let’s get this in front of the right people!

Below I’ve attached 2 clips, one of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers performing live, and the other of Frankie performing solo; who wouldn’t want to see these guys on the big screen? SIGN IT!

Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers: https://youtu.be/UFq2gBfBoyE

Frankie Lymon Solo: https://youtu.be/K3VLt_Q5pmA