This 1994 release from Collectables, containing 64 tracks, is probably as much Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers as most collectors will want or need. It's a worthwhile package, with all their hits, several alternate takes, and a great deal of their "non-hit" output.
The group consisted of Frankie Lymon (lead tenor), Jimmy Merchant (first tenor), Herman Santiago (second tenor), Joe Negroni (baritone), and Sherman Garnes (bass). The group was discovered by Richard Barrett of the Valentines in 1955, who took them to George Golnder for an audition. At the timeof the audition, Herman was singing lead, but Goldner had Frankie take over, liked what he heard, and signed them to his Gee label.
Liner notes are far superior to the usual "Collectables" variety - a 12-page booklet by R&B/Rock 'N' Roll historian Marv Goldberg, telling the group's story in considerable depth. It is surprising that for all their influence on the pop music scene, the group only lasted about 18 months. An updated version of the booklet can be found on-line at Marv Goldberg's "Teenagers" Page, so there is no need to describe their career at length here.
This set is still currently in print, and is recommended listening.
Disc 1:
1. Why Do Fools In Love - (Gee # 1002) - 12/55
2. Please Be Mine - (Gee # 1002) - 12/55
3. Love Is A Clown - (Gee # 1035) - 3/57
4. Love Is A Clown - (Alternate Take)
5. Am I Fooling Myself Again - (Gee # 1035) - 3/57
6. I Want You To Be My Girl (Alternate Take)
7. I Want You To Be My Girl (2nd Alternate Take)
8. I Want You To Be My Girl - (Gee # 1012) - 3/56
9. I'm Not A Know-It-All (Alternate Take)
10. I'm Not A Know-It-All - (Gee # 1012) - 3/56
11. Who Can Explain (Alternate Take)
12.Who Can Explain - (Gee # 1018) - 6/56
13. ABC's Of Love (Alternate Take)
14. I Promise To Remember (Alternate Take)
15. I Promise To Remember - (Gee # 1018) - 6/56
16. ABC's Of Love - (Gee # 1022) - 8/56
17. Share (Alternate Take)
18. Share - (Gee # 1022) - 8/56
19. I'm Not A Juvenile Delinquent - (Gee # 1026) - 11/56
20. Baby Baby - (Gee # 1026) - 11/56
Disc 2:
1. Paper Castles - (Gee # 1032) - 1/57
2. Teenage Love - (Gee # 1032) - 1/57
3. Together (Unreleased)
4. You (Unreleased)
5. It Would Be So Nice (Unreleased)
6. Out In The Cold Again - (Gee # 1036) - 3/57
7. Little White Lies - (Gee Pajama Party LP)
8. Creation Of Love - [Frankie Lymon & the Ray Charles Singers] (Gee # 1039) - 6/57
9. Fortunate Fellow (Unreleased)
10. Love Put Me Out Of My Head (Unreleased)
11. Goody Goody (Alternate Take)
12. Begin The Beguine (Unreleased)
13. Flip Flop - [The Teenagers] (Gee 1046) - 11/57
14. My Broken Heart - [The Teenagers] (Roulette 4086) - 6/58
15. Good Lovin' - [The Teenagers] (Unreleased)
16. Mama Wanna Rock - [The Teenagers] (Roulette 4086) - 6/58
17. Crying - [The Teenagers] (End 1071) - 1960
18. Can You Tell Me Why - [The Teenagers] - (End 1076) - 1960
19. Miracle In The Rain - [Frankie Lymon]- (Gee # 1036) - 3/57
20. Glow Worm (Unreleased)
Disc 3:
1. Over The Rainbow (Unreleased)
2. Goody Goody - [Frankie Lymon & the Ray Charles Singers] (Gee # 1039) - 6/57
3. My Girl - [Frankie Lymon] (Roulette 4026) - 9/57
4. Somebody Loves Me
5. Little Girl - [Frankie Lymon] (Roulette 4035) - 11/57
6. Thumb Thumb - [Frankie Lymon] (Roulette 4044) - 1/58
7. Portable On My Shoulder - [Frankie Lymon] (Roulette 4068) - 4/58
8. Buzz Buzz Buzz - [Frankie Lymon] (Roulette 4283) - 9/60
9. Little Bitty Pretty One - [Frankie Lymon] (Roulette 4257) - 7/60
10. Diana (Unreleased)
11. It Hurts To Be In Love (Unreleased)
12. Next Time You See Me (Unreleased)
13. Mama Don't Allow It - [Frankie Lymon] (Roulette 4068) - 4/58
14. Melinda - [Frankie Lymon] (Roulette 4093) - 7/58
15. Rockin' Tambourine (Unreleased)
16. Up Jumped A Rabbit - [Frankie Lymon] (Roulette 4128) - 2/59
17. Joke (Unreleased)
18. Goody Good Girl (Unreleased)
19. Magic Song (Unreleased)
20. Rainbow (Unreleased)
21. Change Partners - [Frankie Lymon] (Roulette 4348) - 3/61
22. I Put The Bomp - [Frankie Lymon] (Roulette 4391) - 8/61
23. Silent Night (Unreleased)
24. It's Christmas Once Again - [Frankie Lymon] (Roulette 4035) - 11/57
