Elizabeth Waters may be entitled to an estate worth $750,000 in accumulated royalties from Lymon 1956 hit and it's more modern iterations, according to Surrogate Court Judge Marie Lambert's ruling. Emira refused their counter offer. Zola, in her low-cut gowns, was the dish. Paula Span revealed that if Elizabeth or Zola was found to be his widow, they agreed to share the proceeds of his estate equally. Frankie had started using heroin again, and she was forced to hide the money from his occasional gigs in a hole in the wall of their apartment to prevent him from using it to buy drugs. While growing up in New York City, I never had much discipline, Lymon told The Chronicle. In fact, Elizabeth says she saw him the day before he took his last, fatal dose of heroin. , A thief turns to prostitution to help Lymon fund his drug addiction. Zola Taylor Lymon. Ms. Rubin gets his share, too: Emira testified in Surrogate Court that her arrangement called for any money recovered through her suit to be shared 50-50 with Rubin, after expenses and legal fees, which have already reached a substantial subtotal. ", "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" was part of the American Graffiti film soundtrack and album, a big pop hit single and album for Diana Ross in 1981, and had been used in a greeting card commercial. It teaches him responsibility and how to stand on his own two feet. The opinion by Surrogate Court Judge Marie Lambert entitles Waters to an estate that may be worth $750,000 in accumulated royalties from Lymon's 1956 hit and its more recent incarnations. Also Read:Family of Lorenzo Dominic Lavalle. By the time Waters connected with Lymon, he had become a junkie, and she ended up ruining herself trying to pay for his drugs. Art director John Chicester. In one disturbing incident, James wrote that Levy arranged a 1967 attack on former Roulette artist Jimmie Rodgers by an off-duty police officer in response to Rodgers repeated demands for unpaid royalties he was owed by the label. No one foresaw that the people who grew up with the music would refuse to relinquish it, repeatedly recycling it into movie sound tracks and albums, cover versions, oldies compilations and TV commercials. What's different here is that before the suit could come to trial, Elizabeth petitioned the Surrogate Court claiming that she was Lymon's widow and Zola objected claiming that she was. If Emira wins, she'll share the proceeds with Chuck Rubin and go after Morris Levy. 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. Last to the altar is Eagle, the sister of one of the singers Army buddies. Eagle claimed that Levy had committed fraud and copyright infringement by crediting himself as coauthor of "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" (a not uncommon practice in the history of early rock 'n' roll). As the lead vocalist for the Teenagers, Lymon (played by Larenz Tate) helped turn Why Do Fools Fall in Love into one of the biggest hits of 1956. Who owns the rights to old songs matters as much or more now than it did when they were hits. Lymon signed with both 20th Century Fox Records and Columbia Records, but both deals were short-lived. As a result, they fought and separated numerous times. I feel sorry for him, most of all," echoes Zola. Artists Rights helped secure a financial settlement for Richard Berry, composer of "Louie, Louie" just before the song was used in a wine cooler ad. Elizabeths attorneys argued in response that she and Frankie lived in Philadelphia and therefore established a common-law marriage under Pennsylvania law. Emira came to New York to arrange for Frankies funeral mass and burial. Zola got to be pretty friendly with the first wife. Cheesborough. The pair claimed they wrote "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" with Frankie Lymon and asked for a declaration of rights to the copyright of the hit song. Although Emiras attorneys advised her not to talk to Paula Span until the Surrogate Court reached a decision, Anne Pomeroy of the Artist Rights Enforcement Corporation, who was working with Emiras lawyers, spoke with the reporter. Army discipline, I think, teaches a man how to protect himself. Elizabeth Waters claimed to have married Lymon in 1964 in Virginia. "He had the type of personality," says Elizabeth Waters Lymon, Wife No. And that led to his 1955 smash hit "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?," singing for Queen Elizabeth II at the London Palladium and performing in nightclubs and theaters worldwide. Waters, who on the witness stand acknowledged a long struggle with drugs and prostitution during her tempestuous relationship with the onetime star, got the news from her attorney Monday night. They got married at City Hall in Alexandria, Va., early in 1964. He had always regarded Zola as his stage mother, she said. It was not, for long, a happy one. For his part, Rubin's not opposed to generating new income from old music. It was the hit that made him and the Teenagers famous back in 1956, and the one song that he recorded that remained both popular and valuable over the years. Neither Zola nor Elizabeth could quite. Paula Span, Frankie was addicted to drugs and alcohol and Elizabeth, who was 19 at the time, was sympathetic. Id have killed him, I was so angry, Zola told Span. 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. That eventually led to singing on street corners with friends and being discovered at age 12 by George Goldner of GEE Records. The origins of "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" "Frankly, we do not believe that the claims set forth in the federal court case have merit," says Terrance McKnight, one of Zola's attorneys. Times guidelines: a bloody beating and some genteel scenes of lovemaking. Obituary. 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 next morning, Feb. 27, an uncle found him unresponsive on the bathroom floor and called police. Morris Levy - Roulette Records. Cinematographer Ed Lachman. 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. It was also not uncommon for an agent, producer, or record label head to name himself co-writer of a groups songs, thereby entitling him to half of the authors publishing royalties. But the case may not end there, of course. Leon Borstein, Levy's attorney, said that Levy "assisted in the writing of the song; you have to remember, if he added one word, that's sufficient" to justify co-authorship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP6P329DMKY. The small wedding party celebrated by getting very drunk, not an uncommon state for Frankie at the time. Director Gregory Nava. And if he put others through hell too, well, didn't he say, right in that song, that love is a losing game? View contact information: phones, addresses, emails and networks. When a touring musical about Lymon's life came to the Imperial Theater in May of 2013, the cast invited Bryant to be the honored guest with her family and took photos with her after the show. None of whom had ever divorced, was his legal widow and heiress. He was a soldier for most of their brief marriage, taking the bus from her family's home to the post each day. Zola and Elizabeth didn't get close to Emira; and she didn't have anything much to say to them either during the 10 days they spent in court reliving the past. 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. He claimed that both women thought that their agreements with Levy were fair, and that neither planned to take legal action against him if she is found to be Frankies widow. -- those he abused and betrayed seem loath to condemn him. Im sure it probably would bring back some good memories, she said of the show that was being staged at the Imperial. Left-Wing Meloni: Italys Attempt to Replicate Giorgia Meloni, Europe is dumping its migrants in Africa in exchange of money, Antoinette Giancana Biography, Family and Movies, David Von Drehle: Biography, Career, Education and Books, Uplift Suasion: the notion to change racism, Mexicos constitutional crisis has its roots in Washington, The EU-Mercosur Deal: Macrons Duplicity Unveiled, Paraguay declares Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation. The flyer advertised performances by Pearl McKinnon and the Kodaks, Earl Lewis and the Channels, the Cleveland Still Dubs, and the Impalas. Also Read Inside Data and Cyber Security issue in Barbados Europe plays chess with Wagner's African moves, imposes sanctions "Frankie was that kind of person, your honor," she said. "Up to a point." Frankie could fool you, he could fool me; Frankie could fool God. Levy declined direct comment on the Lymon matter. Lymon and his group followed up with three more hits in 1956 and another in 1957. ", Doo-wop historian Philip Groia, author of "They All Sang on the Corner," attended one of Alan Freed's legendary rock 'n' roll shows at the Brooklyn Paramount in the spring of 1956. "He was honest, completely honest," Elizabeth insisted, "Up to a point." She did not object when he decided to head for California in 1965. Span wrote that Frankies relationship with Zola was not entirely maternal. and never miss an insightful take by the TFIGlobal team, This website uses cookies. Although most of Rubin's cases don't wind up in court, the allegations Emira made are not unusual. "As far as I know, he was a very nice guy. The Surrogate Court judge hearing the widowhood case has been pushing for a settlement. Paralleling the spectacle of these three women battling over Lymons heritage is the way different elements of this film, directed by Nava from a script by Tina Andrews, are in conflict with one another. The essence of their dispute was which of the marriages was legally binding, given a certain laxity in some quarters about divorce. In January 1964, he began a relationship with Elizabeth Mickey Waters, from whom he gave birth to his only daughter Francine, who died two days later. Last in line is Emira Eagle (Lela Rochon), a demure, well-bred Southern educator. Zola Taylor Lymon, now 50, one of the original Platters, had flown in from Los Angeles. She had insisted that he check himself into a Manhattan hospital to cure his drug habit. Kenneth Turan is the former film critic for the Los Angeles Times. When she left to tour Japan with the Platters in December 1965, she says, she left Frankie living in her hillside house with instructions to pay the bills out of an allowance forwarded by her attorney. Levy ruled his empire with an iron hand, using both fear and intimidation as part of his business model. Did Ukraine use innocent civilians as human shield against Russia in the name of evacuation? She and Frankie were riding a tour bus together in 1956, doing 81 one-nighters with a rock 'n' roll cavalcade that included Chuck Berry, the Coasters, the Penguins and Bo Diddley, as well as the Platters and the Teenagers. 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). Elizabeths claim to be Frankies wife and heir was weakened by the fact that she was still legally married when she wed Frankie in 1964. Visit our Zola: "I perform all over the world"), she arrived at court daily in a limousine. Pearl, who emulated Frankie Lymon with a distinctive sound all her own, sealed the deal for Robinson, and the Kodaks were signed to the Fury label. Emira Eagle Lymon. Your email address will not be published. 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. Lymon was discharged a year later, he'd said "I do" once more. 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. 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. She says he didn't mean to hurt her, and blames his behavior on his addictions. Emira's attorneys have advised her not to talk to reporters until after the Surrogate Court decision. Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. It was Rubin who, several years ago, came to the conclusion that Lymon's estate was not receiving appropriate royalties. "He was honest, completely honest," Elizabeth insists. Fox as three women claiming to be the legal wife of Lymon and heir to his recording royalties. He recorded other songs, alone and with his group the Teenagers, but none has inspired the same affection. 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. Best Answer. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()), Michigan Rock and Roll Legends. When asked about his association with alleged mob figures, Levy, who was Jewish, responded: "I've been on Broadway 47 years. "Frankie had a very good appetite for the best of life," she says. The names of Frankie Lymon and Morris Levy were now listed as the songwriters. 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. ", Meanwhile, Paula Span used both interviews and court testimony to profile each of the widows in her story. 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. Conscious of her stardom (Reporter: "Are you still performing in California?" 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. A lot of people say I knew him so long I became like him.. Music Stephen James Taylor. He was inducted into the Army in December 1966, and sent to Fort Gordon, Ga. By the time Pvt. Recording costs and commissions for everyone from managers to choreographers could siphon off much of a groups earnings. Though this success was short-lived, Lymon on a personal level was apparently quite the boy who couldnt say no. Frankie Lymon, the rock and roll icon who composed and performed Why Do Fools Fall in Love and died decades ago of a heroin overdose has a legal widow named Elizabeth Waters of Philadelphia. 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. The trial of the three wives went forward, and final briefs were due in early 1988. If Emira won, she would share the proceeds with Chuck Rubin and go after Morris Levy. She said he didn't mean to hurt her, and blamed his behavior on his addictions. "Knowing the facts like I know them, I feel confident there will be an appeal," McCracken predicted. Running time: 1 hour, 56 minutes. Elizabeth, now 46, says she's been born again, but she still strives for glamor, her skirt fashionably above the knee, her fingernails long and orange. Lymon's 1967 marriage to Eagle, marked by a ceremony at the Beulah Grove Baptist Church, was invalid, according to the opinion, because he was still married to Waters. 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. This answer is: Next comes the feisty Elizabeth Waters (Vivica A. Elizabeth testified that she saw him on that visit, as she had a number of times both before and after his wedding (which Elizabeth says she knew nothing of). 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. The original lineup of the Teenagers, an integrated group, included three . And it was not uncommon for someone -- an agent, producer or record label head -- to name himself cowriter of a group's songs, entitling him to half the author's publishing royalties. According to Paula Spans story, he was arrested a 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. Zola testified that their affair continued off and on for several more years. "Just make sure the artist or writer gets his share." Published by Mobile Register and Baldwin County from Jan. 25 to Jan. 27, 2023. He was busy preparing for an April 11 trial for extortion and conspiracy in federal court in Camden, New Jersey, stemming from an F.B.I. Thats why were here today.. He then called Elizabeth and urged her to join him. co-starring Halle Barry, Lela Rochon and Vivica A. She was 19 and sympathetic; she wanted to help him regain what he'd lost. Elizabeth went on to testify that she also saw Frankie the day before he took his last, fatal dose of heroin. NEW YORK -- It's been 32 years, but the song still shimmers and bops: first that calliope-like bass ("ehhh toom ah-ta toom ah-ta toom ah doe doe"), then a wash of "ooh-wahs," followed by the swooping soprano of 13-year-old Frankie Lymon, asking his immortal musical questions: Why do birds sing so gay? 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. * MPAA rating: R, for language and some sexuality. She did not know the druggie described in this trial. In 1986, the women, who were never divorced from Lymon, filed copyright claims in federal court in New York for Lymons songs. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. Elizabeth Waters Found 1,173 people in Florida, Georgia and 49 other states. The Happenings' 45. With the waters thoroughly muddied, the federal judge stayed Emira's lawsuit in 1986 pending determination of which woman was Lymon's widow. ELIZABETH OGLE WATERS OBITUARY. "The only thing {Morris Levy} had to do with it was to collect the money," Santiago says. He was used and misused, and he used others also, she concluded. A headstone was not part of the package, however, and Frankie Lymon was buried in an unmarked grave at St. Raymonds Cemetery. 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. Her complaint charges fraud, misappropriation and copyright infringement, among other offenses. It was also Rubin who located Emira, put her in touch with an attorney, helped line up witnesses and documentation. She attempted to recover all the royalties from the date of the records release because she alleged that neither Levy nor his predecessor as co-writer, George Goldner who discovered and recorded the Teenagers, was actually a songwriter. 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. 1 pop hit for Diana Ross in 1981 and recently turned up in a greeting card commercial. She told the judge that Frankie Lymon was a charmer. He died on February 28, 1968 in New York City, New York, USA. Also a plus is the entertainment value of the films infectious classic rock soundtrack, which (besides the Teenagers hits sung by Lymon) includes songs like The Great Pretender, Try a Little Tenderness and Heat Wave., Hampering this on the negative side, besides the films awkwardness with its dark moments, is an inability to provide more than the most superficial look at anything.