Airdate – Dec 11, 2022
While touring Europe in early 1957, at the height of their career, Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers parted ways. Record producer George Goldner, who had signed the group to Gee Records, began pushing Lymon as a solo act, introducing solo spots in their touring show, beginning with their appearance at the London Palladium.
By September 1957, Lymon was officially a solo act. Three months later, he recorded a cover version of a Christmas song that Tommy Edwards had originally released in 1953 …
*****
When it came to street corner harmony, Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers set the bar for competing and aspiring vocal groups. Their hit single, “Why Do Fools Fall In Love,” is now recognized as one of the iconic recordings of this genre.
Their last charted release, credited to the group as a whole, was “Goody Goody,” a remake of a 1936 #1 hit by Benny Goodman.
The group’s version debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 in July of 1957 and remained on the charts for 17 weeks, peaking at #20 position. In actual fact, it was a solo recording by Lymon with session singers providing the back up.
On his own, Lymon was not as nearly successful. In fact, he was somewhat scarred by his actions on Alan Freed’s ABC TV show, ‘The Big Beat.’ On a July 19, 1957 live airing, viewers were witness to Lymon dancing with a white teenager while performing. This was deemed scandalous and did not sit well with Southern TV station owners, resulting in the cancelation of Freed’s show.
Alone and on his own, Lymon signed with Roulette Records and released a single titled “Little Girl.” It failed to chart. On the B side, accompanied by Hugo Peretti & His Orchestra, Lymon released a cover version of a song for the winter holiday season.
The original recording was released by Tommy Edwards in 1953. A Christmas ballad, Frankie Lymon’s arrangement is fuller and makes one excited by the fact that “It’s Christmas Once Again,” this week’s Tom Locke moment in time.
YouTube video of this song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLsmI5Z-rIM
This “Moments In Time” story is yet another example of a “golden oldie” or forgotten favorite that earned its place in the evolution of Rock & Roll.
