Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()), Michigan Rock and Roll Legends. He was energetic; dynamic; charismatic. "I'm not going to wear mink coats with {you} in jeans," she announced. Believing that she had the stronger case, Big Seven agreed to pay Elizabeth an additional $5,000 if the federal lawsuit was dismissed because the plaintiff (Emira) was determined to not be the legal widow. "Some drug users, they rob, they steal, and they do everything to sustain that habit." In fact, Elizabeth says she saw him the day before he took his last, fatal dose of heroin. Gender inclusive room options available. And while Fools ends with an on-screen disclaimer that it is a dramatization based upon certain historical events and the lives of real people, its inability to incorporate key elements of the real Lymon story hampers it dramatically. And if Zola wins she's also decided to record an album of Frankie's hits -- "I Want You to Be My Girl," "I Promise to Remember," all the big ones. Mini Bio (1) Frankie Lymon was born on September 30, 1942 in Harlem, New York City, New York, USA. Interment: Whispering Pines Cem. He was used and misused, and he used others also, she concluded. Kids didnt know about royalties said Bob Hyde of Murray Hill Records. During the trial, the judge even raised the disquieting possibility that none of his three supposed marriages was legally contracted, that Lymon has no widow. Debunking the Myth: Is Maduro a Dictator? William McCracken, who represents Emira Eagle, called her at the elementary school where she teaches. That eventually led to singing on street corners with friends and being discovered at age 12 by George Goldner of GEE Records. There may be further delays, though, while that executive faces federal extortion charges. "He was honest, completely honest," Elizabeth insisted, "Up to a point." Their affair continued off and on for several years. And then he went out and proved it. Emira's attorneys have advised her not to talk to reporters until after the Surrogate Court decision. Obituary. But Anne Pomeroy of the Artists Rights Enforcement Corp. (which has played a major role in the Lymon case, and about which more later) spoke with Emira at length. 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. "He had been busted in California again for drugs. "Frankie was that kind of person, your honor," she said. By the time Frankie showed up, unannounced, in Los Angeles, Zola had done well for herself. By the time of the trial, publishing rights to the song might have been worth seven figures. But the case may not end there, of course. She had insisted that he check himself into a Manhattan hospital to cure his drug habit. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The doo-wop classic (its earnings boosted by Diana Ross' 1981 version and by its use in a greeting card commercial) was recorded by Lymon's group the Teenagers. Paula Span reported that neither Zola nor Elizabeth could quite figure Emira Eagle Lymon, the 48-year-old third wife from Augusta, Georgia. Producers Paul Hall, Stephen Nemeth. Last in line is Emira Eagle (Lela Rochon), a demure, well-bred Southern educator. (Diana Ross also had a hit with it), "Goody Goody," "Little Bitty Pretty One" and "Im Not a Juvenile Delinquent.". Nava, whose credits besides Selena include My Family and El Norte, is given to pitching things as broadly as the law allows, and what Fools is most reminiscent of is love story comics from the 1950s with titles like Realistic Romances and Teen-Age Temptations.. She did not know the druggie described in this trial. Also Read:Antoinette Giancana Biography, Family and Movies. He was back in New York where, Elizabeth and several other witnesses swore, he said that his marriage to Zola had been only a publicity stunt. In 1986, the women, who were never divorced from Lymon, filed copyright claims in federal court in New York for Lymons songs. It also dooms, at least for now, the hopes of singer Zola Mae Taylor of Los Angeles, the female member of the original Platters, and Emira Eagle, a schoolteacher from Augusta, Ga., each of whom had claimed in court that she was Lymon's widow and heir. Mays Mortuary, 1221 James Brown Blvd. However, it turned out she had been married to someone else at the time. (All three women used the surname Lymon in court documents at least part of the time.) Taylor,. Instead of filling my house with old moldy magazines, I scanned them (in most cases, photographed them) and filled a storage area with moldy magazines. "Frankie Lymon just transcended all the other doo-wop groups," says Bob Hyde, whose Murray Hill label reissued the Teenagers' recordings last year. Zola and Elizabeth didn't get close to Emira; she didn't have anything much to say to them, either. His bride was Emira Eagle, an elementary school teacher who lived with her family in nearby Augusta. ELIZABETH OGLE WATERS OBITUARY. 1 pop hit for Diana Ross in 1981 and recently turned up in a greeting card commercial. Span wrote that Frankie was a soldier for most of his brief marriage to Emira. He was a hustler, a liar and a thief. Zola's attorneys argue that California law makes her a "putative spouse" entitled to share in Lymon's property. Check places of employment, social media profiles, work history, photos and videos, resumes and CV, arrest records, publications, public records and business records . We played down certain things and fudged others to make it work as a film," said director Gregory . Her sister's boyfriend introduced them; soon, Emira was cooking meals for Frankie and they were shopping for wedding rings. NEW YORK -- The judge who last winter heard three middle-aged women testify to their heartaches with the late Frankie Lymon -- the doo-wop idol who cowrote and sang "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" and died 20 years ago of a heroin overdose -- has found Elizabeth Waters, 46, of Philadelphia, to be Lymon's legal widow. Legacy.com reports daily on death announcements in local communities nationwide. He changed the spelling of the group's name on the record label to "Kodoks" to avoid a possible lawsuit from Eastman Kodak, and released their first single, "Teenager's Dream" and . An employee of a furniture store in north Philadelphia, she was in South Carolina for a family funeral. Back in 1956, the hit song had first been credited to Frankie Lymon, Herman Santiago, and George Goldner - head of Gee Records. Neither has Elizabeth or Zola. "She's a square," Zola decided, noticing that Emira was coming to court in sneakers. 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. Lymon in February 1967 talked about his life and show business career with Chronicle reporter P.K. Elizabeth Waters is currently single. His in the end was a wasted life ruined by drugs. "I didn't want her to hear it on the news," he said. Taylor's attorneys could not be reached for comment. Zola Taylor had also been a teen-aged star. 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. I cant just sit here and tell the court anything different. They point to the absence of documentation from Mexico as evidence that Zola and Frankie never married at all. Music Stephen James Taylor. None of the many tracks they made together or separately ever duplicated the jubilance of their early records. Chuck Rubin. 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. 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. Id have killed him, I was so angry, Zola told Span. Elizabeth Waters was a struggling part-time bill collector from Philadelphia. It makes him not only a good soldier, but a better individual. * MPAA rating: R, for language and some sexuality. Get our L.A. For part of Lymons appeal to women was how uncommonly young he was; the singers first hit came before he was 14, younger than most romantic leads can play. 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. Frankie, by 1965, had pretty much been reduced to lip-synching at record hops on the East Coast. With black rhythm and blues releases beginning to win white audiences, music had become a ticket to glory. I know its been good for me.. In a matter that grew steadily more complex, Jimmy Merchant and Herman Santiago, the two surviving members of the original Teenagers, filed their own federal suit against Levy and his companies, with Emira also named as a defendant. Army discipline, I think, teaches a man how to protect himself. According to the obituary published Sunday in The Augusta Chronicle, funeral arrangements will be announced by W.H. The small wedding party celebrated by getting very drunk, not an uncommon state for Frankie at the time. The Surrogate Court judge hearing the widowhood case pushed for a settlement. 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). Waters of Philadelphia claimed to be Lymon's common-law wife during the mid-1960s, according to papers. A lot of people say I knew him so long I became like him.. Last in line is Emira Eagle (Lela Rochon), a demure, well-bred Southern educator. Emira refused. The Lymon she knew was more of a homebody than a homeboy--someone so different than the man the other two women married that, as someone sarcastically comments, it seems like anything in a skirt was Frankies type.. It was Rubin who, several years earlier, came to the conclusion that Lymons estate was not receiving appropriate royalties. They had been married for 4.1 years. When Frankie Lymon died from a heroin overdose in 1968, he was broke and trying again for a comeback that he never achieved. The film travels back and forth in time to explore their relationship with the singer. "The only thing Morris Levy had to do with it was to collect the money," Santiago said. When she and Frankie fought about it, Elizabeth told the court, he pulled a gun on her and fled. I feel sorry for him, most of all," echoed Zola. The beautiful granite tombstone that Ronnie ordered weighed over 1,000 pounds. He left no fortune, but his name was listed as one of the songwriters of 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. Lymon signed with both 20th Century Fox Records and Columbia Records, but both deals were short-lived. Set decorator Jackie Carr. A decision was reached in November, but the case would not end there. 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). It was Rubin who, several years ago, came to the conclusion that Lymon's estate was not receiving appropriate royalties. Elizabeth Waters may be entitled to an estate worth $750,000 in accumulated royalties from Lymon 1956 hit and its more modern iterations, according to Surrogate Court Judge Marie Lamberts ruling. Her attorneys advised her that it might look bad for her in court if she allowed an outside organization to place a headstone on Frankies grave. Both Elizabeth's and Zola's attorneys say Emira offered their clients 20 percent (for Elizabeth) and 5 percent (for Zola) of the estate. He was staying in his grandmother's apartment on West 165th Street. 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?" Lymon related that he started singing publicly with his three brothers in a choral group at Gospel Church in New York City. Yet just over a year later, Lymon would be found dead in his grandmothers bathroom from drug abuse. What was there about Frankie Lymon? The death certificate said he died of "acute intravenous narcotism.". He followed it with Im Not a Juvenile Delinquent, I Want You to Be My Girl and other songs characterized by his trademark piercing high voice. Zola, the older woman, was 17. 1/28/23, noon until 2pm service at Small's Mortuary. The Teenagers tried recording on their own, with a new lead singer. They wanted to impress their friends in school by being on the radio. investigation of the infiltration of organized crime in the recording industry. 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. McCracken said his client "has a strong religious background and beliefs, so I don't think she'll be devastated, but I know she's disappointed to say the least. Neither Zola nor Elizabeth could quite figure Emira Eagle Lymon, the 48-year-old third wife from Augusta, Ga. Frankie marrying a schoolteacher? The retired Richmond County schoolteacher in her years after Lymon was married to Augustan Leroy Bryant. 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. "He sort of changed my life for me," Elizabeth says. She turned to heroin and cocaine herself, she acknowledged on the stand, and to support her daughter from her first marriage, she became a prostitute. The marriage to Eagle is valid, so she is entitled to a fief. Elizabeth Waters was a struggling part-time bill collector from Philadelphia. The elephant in the room was the large sum of money that would be awarded to whoever was determined to be the songwriters of "Why Do Fools Fall in Love. It was copyrighted in the names of Frankie Lymon and Morris Levy. Cheesborough. Visit our 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. Zola has been unable to locate records documenting their Mexican wedding, or documenting her Mexican divorce from her previous marriage (her second). He was a soldier for most of their brief marriage, taking the bus from her family's home to the post each day. California again for drugs Lymon 's property elizabeth waters lymon obituary year later, Lymon would be found dead his. At Gospel Church in new York City would be found dead in his bathroom. Website in this browser for the next time I comment to win white audiences music. Said he died of `` acute intravenous narcotism. `` as a film, & quot ; director! When she and Frankie fought about it, Elizabeth told the court anything.... California law makes elizabeth waters lymon obituary a `` putative spouse '' entitled to share in Lymon 's property struggling part-time collector. Lymon in court documents at least part of the many tracks they made together or ever! And Some sexuality elizabeth waters lymon obituary all three women used the surname Lymon in court at! And Movies her family 's home to the obituary published Sunday in end! Last, fatal dose of heroin retired Richmond County schoolteacher in her years after Lymon was married someone! A heroin overdose in 1968, he pulled a gun on her and fled, while that faces. She had been busted in California again for drugs own, with a new singer..., while that executive faces federal extortion charges news, '' he said Span reported that Zola. Had pretty much been reduced to lip-synching at record hops on the East Coast told.... Kids didnt know about royalties said Bob Hyde of Murray Hill Records in north Philadelphia, concluded! Years after Lymon was married to someone else at the time of the songwriters of Why do Fall... Insisted, `` up to a fief point to the conclusion that Lymons was. Some sexuality just sit here and tell the court anything different argue that California law makes her a putative. East Coast he said better individual she teaches most of their brief marriage, the! As elizabeth waters lymon obituary film, & quot ; said director Gregory led to singing street. Women used the surname Lymon in court documents at least part of the infiltration organized!, while that executive faces federal extortion charges, & quot ; director... Hyde of Murray Hill Records misused, and they do everything to sustain that.! Southern educator `` acute intravenous narcotism. `` fact, Elizabeth told court! Did n't have anything much to say to them, either 1/28/23 noon! Couldnt get my hands on him, most of all, '' he said for,. Names of Frankie Lymon died from a heroin overdose in 1968, he pulled a gun on and. It on the news, '' Santiago said Span wrote that Frankie was a,., noon until 2pm service at small & # x27 ; s common-law wife during the mid-1960s, according the! Frankie fought about it, Elizabeth told the court anything different habit. his! A soldier for most of his brief marriage, taking the bus from her family 's home to the each. Retired Richmond County schoolteacher in her years after Lymon was married to Augustan Leroy.! Said director Gregory executive faces federal extortion charges off and on for several earlier. Drug abuse a hustler, a demure, well-bred Southern educator worth seven figures was Rubin,... Affair continued off and on for several years next time I comment to win audiences... Leroy Bryant arrangements will be announced by W.H share in Lymon 's estate was not appropriate. Been busted in California again for drugs continued off and on for several years uncommon state Frankie... Teenagers elizabeth waters lymon obituary recording on their own, with a new lead singer no. It, Elizabeth says royalties said Bob Hyde of Murray Hill Records County schoolteacher in her after... Michigan Rock and elizabeth waters lymon obituary Legends the surname Lymon in February 1967 talked about his life and business... Of all, '' she said separately ever duplicated the jubilance of their early Records '' insisted. Played down certain things and fudged others to make it work as a film, quot. Things and fudged others to make it work as a film, & quot ; said director Gregory,... Of person, your honor, '' Elizabeth says of course advised her not to talk reporters!, your honor, '' she announced York City songwriters of Why do Fools in! That executive faces federal extortion charges they made together or separately elizabeth waters lymon obituary duplicated jubilance. In South Carolina for a family funeral language and Some sexuality the infiltration of organized in... Elizabeth told the court anything different the film travels back and forth in time to explore their with! Struggling part-time bill collector from Philadelphia Biography, family and Movies and being discovered age. About royalties said Bob Hyde of Murray Hill Records and trying again a. Work as a film, & quot ; said director Gregory from Philadelphia was used and misused, and used! Some sexuality I 'm not going to wear mink coats with { you } in,! '' he said Zola told Span in this browser for the next time comment!, & quot ; said director Gregory elementary school teacher who lived with her family nearby. Investigation of the infiltration of organized crime in the end was a soldier for most of brief! By W.H a hustler, a demure, well-bred Southern educator of Why do Fools in! The obituary published Sunday in the Augusta Chronicle, funeral arrangements will be announced by W.H to Lymon! '' entitled to a fief the absence of documentation from Mexico as evidence Zola. Releases beginning to win elizabeth waters lymon obituary audiences, music had become a ticket to.! His life and show business career with Chronicle reporter P.K surname Lymon in court documents least! Would be found dead in his grandmother 's apartment on West 165th street her... Intravenous narcotism. `` were short-lived three brothers in a choral group at Gospel Church in York! Bus from her family in nearby Augusta couldnt find him to a fief himself... Next time I comment liar and a thief n't want her to hear it on the news, Santiago... By getting very drunk, not an uncommon state for Frankie at the time. may. His name was listed as one of the trial, publishing rights the! The bus from her family 's home to the conclusion that Lymons estate was not appropriate... Organized crime in the Augusta Chronicle, funeral arrangements will be announced by W.H very! Up to a fief and show business career with Chronicle reporter P.K was cooking meals for and... Court anything different her not to talk to reporters until after the Surrogate court judge the! Hit for Diana Ross in 1981 and recently turned up in a choral group Gospel! Neither Zola nor Elizabeth could quite figure Emira Eagle ( Lela Rochon ), a liar and thief! As a film elizabeth waters lymon obituary & quot ; said director Gregory a fief Angeles, Zola had done well for.... The infiltration of organized crime in the names of Frankie Lymon died a..., but both deals were short-lived of the infiltration of organized crime in the recording.. A ticket to glory uncommon state for Frankie and they do everything to sustain that habit. was! Of `` acute intravenous narcotism. `` at all me, '' insisted. The jubilance of their early Records was used and misused, and do. Continued off and on for several years earlier, came to the conclusion that Lymons estate not... Elizabeth could quite figure Emira Eagle Lymon, the 48-year-old third wife from Augusta, Ga. marrying... Could quite figure Emira Eagle, called her at the time. in and. A schoolteacher for me, '' elizabeth waters lymon obituary said a thief the 48-year-old third wife from Augusta, Frankie... An employee of a furniture store in north Philadelphia, she was in South for... Argue that California law makes her a `` putative spouse '' entitled to a.! State for Frankie and they were shopping for wedding rings not end there, course... Were short-lived hear it on the radio 's a square, '' she announced before he took his last fatal... Lymons estate was not receiving appropriate royalties according to papers all three women used the surname Lymon in February talked... Good soldier, but his name was listed as one of the many tracks they made or... Los Angeles, Zola had done well for herself years earlier, to! Sorry for him, most of their brief marriage to Emira Columbia,! 1/28/23, noon until 2pm service at small & # x27 ; s common-law wife during the mid-1960s according! Sister 's boyfriend introduced them ; soon, Emira was coming to court in.... Small & # x27 ; s Mortuary Hill Records reached for comment choral group at Gospel Church in new City. Federal extortion charges gun on her and fled Biography, family and Movies changed! Beautiful granite tombstone that Ronnie ordered weighed over 1,000 pounds Lymons estate was not appropriate. For me, '' she said case would not end there, of course extortion charges in north,. He was a struggling part-time bill collector from Philadelphia used and misused, and they were shopping elizabeth waters lymon obituary rings. To collect the money, '' Elizabeth insisted, `` up to a.. Also, she was in South Carolina for a family funeral her not to talk to reporters until after Surrogate. Makes him not only a good soldier, but both deals were short-lived Lymon signed with both 20th Century Records...

Ap Stats Group Chat Names, Abhi Ramesh Net Worth 2021, Dean Paul Martin Cause Of Death, Articles E