Frankie Lymon

American rock and roll/rhythm and blues singer and songwriter, best known as the boy soprano lead singer of the New York City-based early rock and roll doo-wop group [a=The Teenagers].

Born: September 30, 1942 Harlem, New York

Died: February 27, 1968 in New York City, U.S.

He joined The Teenagers at 12, and at 13, led their 1956 hit "Why Do Fools Fall in Love," which topped the R&B charts and reached No. 6 on the pop charts. The group's success continued with songs like "I Want You to Be My Girl" and "I'm Not a Juvenile Delinquent." In 1957, Lymon pursued a solo career, but struggled with heroin addiction, both his career and those of the Teenagers fell into decline. He died of a heroin overdose at 25.

In 1993, Lymon and The Teenagers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.