The essence of their dispute was which of the marriages was legally binding, given a certain laxity in some quarters about divorce. Thats why were here today.. They're awaiting the decision now, the quiet schoolteacher from Georgia, the brassy singer from California and the struggling part-time bill collector from Philadelphia, all nursing their separate memories of life with a former teen idol. None of the many tracks they made together or separately ever duplicated the jubilance of their early records. "If you have any kind of heart at all," she says, "you know that he went through hell.". Whie serving at Ft. Gordon in Georgia, Frankie married again. When she and Frankie fought about it, Elizabeth told the court, he pulled a gun on her and fled. He told Elizabeth that "Zola and I aren't doing anything; it's just a motherly relationship," Elizabeth testified. Obituary. Levy declined direct comment of the Lymon matter. His widow in 2013 said she was lucky to know and love Lymon at a good time in his life when he was happy being in the Army and still had hopes for the future. She'll use a 16-piece band and her own group, Zola Taylor's Platters, as backup singers. "Even though she had said no, she had said yes in the beginning; so Ronnie went ahead without going back and contacting Emira again. Hell, the boy had so many needle marks on him, I thought he was a God-damned . Published by Legacy on Jul. He was energetic; dynamic; charismatic. Undisputed, however, was the song's impact. According to Paula Span, her sisters boyfriend introduced them, and soon after, Emira was cooking meals for Frankie and they were shopping for wedding rings. I loved him like a brother.". They also pointed to the absence of documentation from Mexico as evidence that Zola and Frankie never married at all. If the judge's ruling stands, "then we go to federal court and advise the judge that the party who commenced the action is the wrong party," says Levy's attorney in the case, Leon Bornstein. She was 19 and sympathetic; she wanted to help him regain what he'd lost. His bride was Emira Eagle, an elementary school teacher who lived with her family in nearby Augusta. Each woman suspected he was sleeping with the other, and both were apparently correct. Elizabeth Waters was not yet divorced when she married Lymon, but the marriage became lawful once her first husbands divorce was finalized. Frankie was that kind of person, Your Honor, Elizabeth said. ", But in 1984 (as the original copyright term of the song was expiring) Emira Eagle Lymon brought suit in U.S. District Court in New York against Levy, his attorney, his record label and his publishing company. Times guidelines: a bloody beating and some genteel scenes of lovemaking. Owning the rights to 1950s rock and roll songs meant more in the 1980s than it did when they were hits. Span wrote that Rubin gets his share too. Emira Eagle Lymon Bryant, the legally declared widow of '50s teenage rock star Frankie Lymon, died Saturday at AU Medical Center. Army discipline, I think, teaches a man how to protect himself. Levy declined direct comment on the Lymon matter. It was held on Saturday, September 14, at Schuetzen Park Casino in North Bergen, New Jersey. His was a wasted life, and he was so talented., Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. She also stole the hearts of many people and led to a five-year legal battle to answer which of the three women who claimed to be married to the star was the real Mrs. Frankie Lemmon . DAPHNE, AL 36526. Rubin's 200 or so clients, from the Del Vikings to the Coasters, constitute an honor roll of early rock 'n' roll. Keep supporting great journalism by turning off your ad blocker. Get our L.A. They wanted to impress their friends in school by being on the radio. William McCracken, who represents Emira Eagle, called her at the elementary school where she teaches. All these arguments were laid forth in voluminous briefs, memoranda, and affidavits filed in Surrogate Court. "Frankie had a very good appetite for the best of life," she says. Army discipline, I think, teaches a man how to protect himself. Emiras attorneys argued that Elizabeth and Frankie separated in mid-1965 and never lived together as man and wife thereafter, invalidating her claim to a common-law marriage. Her complaint charged fraud, misappropriation and copyright infringement, among other offenses. "She's a square," Zola decided, noticing that Emira was coming to court in sneakers. According to Spans story, Frankie moved into Zolas home and her bedroom. Elizabeth 'Mickey' Waters : You see, y'all gotta understand. He probably found out through her attorney, who Ronnie now had to deal with during the lawsuit., His dealings with Emira had all been oral. Art director John Chicester. Zola Taylor Lymon. Why Do Fools Fall in Love With Frankie Lymon is more like it. "He had the type of personality," says Elizabeth Waters Lymon, Wife No. Legacy.com reports daily on death announcements in local communities nationwide. Waters bore Lymon's only known child, a daughter who died shortly after birth. Paula Span reported that, during the trial, the judge even raised the disquieting possibility that none of his three supposed marriages was legally contracted, that Lymon had no widow. Lymon was one of hundreds of kids in Harlem who had taken to street-corner harmonizing in the 1950s, rehearsing in apartment house hallways and echoey subway stations. When trading Miss Thing"-type insults doesnt clear the air, a lawsuit to determine the identity of the true widow and heir to Lymons royalties becomes inevitable. She says she's never recovered financially from the loss of her home and still feels "cheated," yet she also talks about Lymon's ruptured family, and, again, his drug dependency. It teaches him responsibility and how to stand on his own two feet. Zola's attorneys argue that California law makes her a "putative spouse" entitled to share in Lymon's property. He and two codefendants are busy preparing for their April 11 trial for extortion and conspiracy in federal court in Camden, N.J., stemming from an FBI investigation of organized crime in the recording industry. He got on that stage, and baby he was huge! View contact information: phones, addresses, emails and networks. Set designers Clare Scarpulla, Michael Bernard. But her secretary and her booking agent both testified that they were witnesses to the wedding. She says he didn't mean to hurt her, and blames his behavior on his addictions. Zola, the second supposed wife, got to be pretty friendly with the first. The film travels back and forth in time to explore their relationship with the singer. Lymon signed with both 20th Century Fox Records and Columbia Records, but both deals were short-lived. He died on February 28, 1968 in New York City, New York, USA. I know some of these characters, and some I like very muchI knew Cardinal Spellman, too. Though this success was short-lived, Lymon on a personal level was apparently quite the boy who couldnt say no. Frankie could fool you, he could fool me; Frankie could fool God. Gender inclusive room options available. Artist Rights Enforcement Corporation was heralded by the New York Times as the white knight of rock n roll for its efforts in recovering uncollected royalties for a host of artists including Wilbert Harrison, Richard Berry, the Coasters, and the Dell Vikings to name just a few. Elizabeth Waters - Director STEM Outreach - The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art | LinkedIn Elizabeth Waters Director STEM Outreach at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of. The first decision was made in Waterss favor; Eagle appealed, and in 1989 the New York State Supreme Court Appeals Division overturned the original decision and transferred ownership of Lymon to Eagle. According to Paula Span, people sometimes compared Frankie with the young Michael Jackson, who also knew how to combine innocence and knowingness. "Remember, Frankie needed the money badly," Borstein said. Why does the rain fall from up above? This legal drama was made into a movie earlier this year, named after his hit song Why fools fall in love. * MPAA rating: R, for language and some sexuality. When he died of a drug overdose in 1968, just past his 25th birthday, he left behind a marital history worthy of a man several times his age. Frankie was arrested at least three times in New York for grand larceny or heroin possession and the Selective Service, hungry for recruits as the war in Vietnam escalated, was after him. It was modified to just Lymon and Goldner on subsquent recordings for the next decade before Goldner's name was replaced by Levy's. Running time: 1 hour, 56 minutes. "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" -- a classic bit of doo-wop doggerel with Lymon credited as coauthor -- are murky. US fails miserably against Russia at the crucial UN Vote. But I couldnt get my hands on him, couldnt find him. According to Elizabeth and several other witnesses, Frankie was back in New York telling them that his marriage to Zola had only been a publicity stunt. Last to the altar is Eagle, the sister of one of the singers Army buddies. Zola Taylor Lymon, who was 50, had flown in from Los Angeles. The court found that "the decedent and Elizabeth {Waters} have satisfied the requirements of common law marriage in the State of Pennsylvania." Emiras case was just beginning when Elizabeth Waters Lymon petitioned the Surrogate Court claiming that she was Frankie Lymons widow, and Zola Taylor also objected claiming that she was Lymons rightful widow. Taylor's attorneys could not be reached for comment. "I can't just sit here and tell the court anything different. A lot of people say I knew him so long I became like him.. Director Gregory Nava. Elizabeth Waters was a struggling part-time bill collector from Philadelphia. Jimmy Merchant and Herman Santiago, the two surviving members of the original Teenagers (Sherman Garnes, the inventive bass, and Joe Negroni were the others), say they wrote "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" As a been-around woman never at a loss for an insulting put-down (He dropped you like a whores panties is one example), Fox gives Fools most engaging performance. The origins of "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" And then he went out and proved it. The stone was dedicated by his fans and friends on February 27, 1988, the 20th anniversary of Frankie's death and one month before the opening arguments in the case that would determine his legal wife and rightful heir. Artists Rights helped secure a financial settlement for Richard Berry, composer of "Louie, Louie" (just before the song starred in a wine cooler ad), and represents several of the artists featured on the "Dirty Dancing" album. "Sell, sell, sell," he advised. "He had such presence, he'd just take over a stage and wipe an audience out. probe. "He sort of changed my life for me," Elizabeth says. Levy was aware of all the details of Frankie Lymons love life, and he used it to his advantage by bringing in Elizabeth Waters and Zola Taylor to challenge Emiras claim to be Frankies widow and, by having the court determine her marraige to be invalid, derail her lawsuit. So the trial went forward. Here are 10 you cant miss, Review: A reimagined Secret Garden fails to flower anew at the Ahmanson Theatre, Moroccan singer convicted of rape in Paris, gets 6-year term, Jonas Brothers promise Broadway residency will be a walk down musics memory lane, Toxic sex, social anxiety, 90s guitars: How L.A.s Blondshell pulled off the rock debut of 2023, Rihanna making the FCC work, work, work, after Super Bowl viewers file 103 complaints, Brad Paisley drops new song featuring President Zelensky to mark one year of Ukraine war. I know its been good for me.. This time his bride was Emira Eagle, an educated, churchgoing elementary school teacher who lived with her family in nearby Augusta. By now, publishing rights to the song may have earned $750,000, or even more. At the least, records and witnesses' recollections seem to indicate that Frankie Lymon did stand before a magistrate or minister on three occasions to promise himself to each of these women until death parted them, which turned out to be a fairly short time. It makes him not only a good soldier, but a better individual. "Knowing the facts like I know them, I feel confident there will be an appeal," McCracken predicted. If none of the women is Frankie's widow, the surviving members of his family stand to inherit. , A thief turns to prostitution to help Lymon fund his drug addiction. Neither has Elizabeth or Zola. Her troubles with drugs and the law continued long after Frankie's death. Copy. Im sure it probably would bring back some good memories, she said of the show that was being staged at the Imperial. Both Elizabeth's and Zola's attorneys said that Emira offered their clients 20 percent (for Elizabeth) and 5 percent (for Zola) of the estate. Yet she also talked about Lymon's ruptured family, and, again, his drug dependency. Last in line is Emira Eagle (Lela Rochon), a demure, well-bred Southern educator. All these arguments are laid forth in voluminous briefs, memoranda and affidavits filed in Surrogate Court. and never miss an insightful take by the TFIGlobal team, This website uses cookies. She has never remarried. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Despite hearing that Emira had changed her mind, Ronnie maintained faith in their original agreement and ordered a headstone from a company in North Arlington, New Jersey. What seemed pretty clear from all the filings is the reason why, 20 years afterward, it had become so important to be Frankie Lymon's legal widow. He had a bad year in 1966. Unfortunately for Zola, she was unable to locate records documenting her Mexican wedding to Frankie, or documentation of her Mexican divorce from her previous marriage (her second). This trio first meets as a group in 1985 in the offices of Morris Levy (Paul Mazursky), the shrewd operator whose company released Lymons hits. First Visitation. They were there in Surrogate Court -- the three would-be widows and their teams of lawyers and witnesses -- for 10 days this past December and January, raking over the past. Elizabeth testified that she did not object. They were married in June 1967 at the Beulah Grove Baptist Church, with 50 members of Emiras family in attendance and a reception afterward at the Capri Lounge. It makes him not only a good soldier, but a better individual. Zola had also been a teenage star. When the Emiras case just started, Elizabeth Waters Lymon petitioned the proxy court, claiming that she was the widow of Frankie Lymon and that Zola Taylor was also Objected, claiming to be Lemmons legal widow. Though other people testify in the trial, notably Little Richard playing himself and saying things like I am the originator, the emancipator, the motivator, most of Fools is told in flashback as each woman takes the stand and relates her portion of Lymons life. Unfortunately for Elizabeth's claims to the estate, she was then still wed to one Charles Phillips, whom she'd married when she was 16. He was inducted into the Army in December 1966, and sent to Fort Gordon, Ga. By the time Pvt. While growing up in New York City, I never had much discipline, Lymon told The Chronicle. 1 pop hit for Diana Ross in 1981 and recently turned up in a greeting card commercial. As Waters' claim went to court, Taylor claimed that she had been sexually active with Lymon as early as the "Biggest Rock "n" Roll Show of 1956" tour. View our. Rubin's 200 or so clients constituted an honor roll of early rock and roll. Mini Bio (1) Frankie Lymon was born on September 30, 1942 in Harlem, New York City, New York, USA. Privacy Policy Agreement * I agree to the Terms of use and Privacy Policy. "Kids didn't know about royalties," says Bob Hyde of Murray Hill Records. People sometimes compare him with the young Michael Jackson, who also knew how to combine innocence and knowingness. As a result, they fought and separated numerous times. (All three women used the surname Lymon in court documents at least part of the time.) It teaches him responsibility and how to stand on his own two feet. The record company executive has other problems: He was sentenced last week to 10 years in prison for his conspiracy conviction arising from an FBI investigation of racketeering in the recording industry. At the trial, Elizabeth testified that she saw Frankie on that visit, as she had a number of times both before and after his wedding to Emira, which she said she knew nothing of. She told the judge that Frankie Lymon was a charmer. The Surrogate Court judge hearing the widowhood case has been pushing for a settlement. Elizabeth Lymon says she married Lymon on Jan. 23, 1964, in Alexandria, Va., and bore him a daughter the following year. His attorney called the charges complete speculation claimed and that there was absolutely no proof of Levy's guilt. She had insisted that he check himself into a Manhattan hospital to cure his drug habit. Aside from Waters, the winner of this legal round is Morris Levy, head of Roulette Records, among the defendants when Eagle brought a federal suit in 1984. According to Span, Rubin was not opposed to generating new income from old music. If Elizabeth or Zola is found to be his widow, they have agreed to share the proceeds of his estate equally. He was staying in his grandmother's apartment on West 165th Street. "She never disputed his role in the creation and authorship of this song," her attorney says. Morris Levy - Roulette Records. Why Do Fools Fall In Love was a prime example, and its publishing rights may have earned a lot of money by 1984, according to Chuck Rubin of Artists Rights Enforcement Corp. Rubin established his organization in 1981 to represent artists who he believed had been deprived of their earnings by their record companies. The small wedding party celebrated by getting very drunk, not an uncommon state for Frankie at the time. DONALD LYMON OBITUARY. And that song, which he wrote or helped to write and which will bear his boyish vocal signature forever. It was Bryant who was depicted in the 1998 movie "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" The fact came to notice from a judge during a trial where three middle-aged women (Ash Taylor, Elizabeth Waters, and Amira Eagle) spoke about their miseries. As a child star, however, I was subjected to discipline from agents, managers and lawyers, but it was a discipline that protected me from myself so to speak. When you made a deal with Ronnie, it was usually oral, a real old-school type of business person. Zola and Elizabeth declined, but say they were willing to accept an equal, three-way split. Paula Span, Frankie was addicted to drugs and alcohol and Elizabeth, who was 19 at the time, was sympathetic. Her published account of the trial and the three women contesting to be named Frankies legal wife and heir was titled The Three Wives: The Legacy Of Love. No one could have foreseen that the people who grew up with the music would refuse to relinquish it, and the songs would be repeatedly recycled into movie soundtracks and albums, cover versions, oldies compilations, and television commercials. I feel sorry for him, most of all," echoes Zola. The next month, according to Zola, she and Frankie drove to Tijuana and got married in a small chapel. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They got married at City Hall in Alexandria, Va., early in 1964. Elizabeth, now 46, said she had been born again, but she still strove for glamor, her skirt fashionably above the knee, her fingernails long and orange. Zola Taylor had also been a teen-aged star. He was used and misused, and he used others also, she concluded. Zola: "I perform all over the world"), she arrived at court daily in a limousine. "She was so taken with the idea of being once and for all declared the real Mrs. Frankie Lymon." 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