In 1955, 12 year old Frankie Lymon, who sang with his brothers Lewis and Howie, was working in a grocery store as a bag boy. He met the "Premiers" (Herman Santiago’s Doo-Wop vocal group) backstage at an amateur show and "jammed" with them. Lymon was quickly invited to join them, initially singing first tenor behind Santiago's lead. That same year Richard Barrett, a talent scout and producer for Rama Records heard them singing and introduced them to George Goldner, the record company's owner. Goldner signed them to a contract and changed the group's name to The Teenagers...
The following day the group was supposed to meet with Mr. Goldner in the studio for a recording session. Santiago had a sore throat and could not sing the lead vocal of the song he had written, "Why Do Fools Fall in Love," and therefore, gave Negroni, an original member of The Premiers, the music sheet with the words to the song. Frankie Lymon filled in for Santiago and took the writing credit for the tune which became a Rock ‘n Roll classic...
In 1993, the original members of "the Teenagers"—Herman Santiago, Frankie Lymon, Sherman Garnes, Joe Negroni and Jimmy Merchant—were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and in 2000 into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
In the 1998 film Why Do Fools Fall In Love, the role of Santiago was played by actor Alexis Cruz. Be sure to check this out—Especially the Little Richard and live segments!
Herman Santiago: YET ANOTHER UNSUNG HERO OF ROCK ‘N ROLL!!!
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