Jimmy Merchant original member of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers visits Ed Saleks Island Hop 

Classic Legend!! Jimmy Merchant still looks fantastic, God bless him

Remarkable storytelling. Thank you Jimmy for the history and the music!

Oh snap! Jimmy's in amaaaazing shape! Doesnt look a day over 55.

I believe your father sponsored me on the Pro Bowlers tour 1969-1970. Last time I saw him was in Winston Salem,NC Feb of 1971. He was a wonderful man. He also went bye Sam Merchant.

Watched the movie and then went digging to find out more. What a awesome Testimony from Jimmy Merchant. He shows you not only the humans behind the music, but a loving all knowing God whom created it all. Amen!

The way he lights up to tell these stories, makes me feel joyful. Good wishes! Great interview

Jimmy can still sing!!!

Jimmy still looking good. Go papa!

They inspired me when I was a little girl! I fell in love with Sherman! He's my favorite Teenager😚💓. But I love them all. 💗💗💗💗💗 I could listen to Jimmy talk all day! Thanks for the interview! I wish Herman was there too. I'd love to hear his story too! RIP Sherman Garnes💓💋, Joe Negroni💗, and Frankie Lymon💗!

He looks great, given those lean years since the Teenagers’ prime. He’s a survivor

I really enjoyed this interview😊

Absolutely wonderful! I am so proud and blessed to know you my friend!! ...Mr. Jimmy Merchant is loved and respected by so many.. we look forward for more to come! ❤❤❤

This interview really tugs at my heart. You are so right about opening the music industry to the teens and what a market it turned out to be. I was 11 when I first heard "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" Yes, I too thought Frankie was a female, OMG, that sound, it was amazing and to think it came from a 13 year old kid, still a voice in a class of there own. Frankie Lyman and the Teenagers. Super!

Another great interview! Thanks Ed. Nostalgic, for sure.

Great memory man

U. Look great. Jimmy. God. Bless u. Thanks. For. All U. Gave. Us. All

What a story👍🏾👏👏🙏❤️

WOW ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

The movie you were thinking of was....Blackboard Jungle.

Yay!!! This is such a great video very good music and interview!😇😇😇😇

great interview

0 dislikes on this vid. they gotta make another tv film about this while him & herman are still alive. kind of like the new edition one

Cute story

Thank you for this interview. Great to hear the story from a member who lived this incredible story. All things falling in place one after the other as fate would have it. Too bad it was short lived and that Frankie Lymon although incredibly talented, was also tragic. Great story telling.

Hello ed. Great interview with jimmy.merchant.

Jimmy looks great, loved the interview!

I was about 9 or 10 myself when I got my mums 78 of fools fall in love

what an awesome interview!

Fantastic memories

Pure gold.

@ 11:00 he’s describing manifesting!

Why isn't Herman Santiago with Jimmy in the interview? Is he still with us?

😊😊😊

I was really disappointed by the 1998 film, "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" starring Larenz Tate and Halle Berry. I felt that the film did a grave disservice to the legacy of the group and what's more, actor Larenz Tate was sadly miscast as the precocious vocal dynamo, Frankie Lymon. Group member Jimmy Merchant gives a very detailed background of how the group was formed and how their sound helped to popularize, future vocal boy & girl groups" that would emerge in the coming decades. Many documentaries often overlook the four older members, Sherman Garnes, Jimmy Merchant, Herman Santiago, and Joe Negroni while focusing solely on Frankie Lymon. They were talented, good-looking, and could dance as effectively as they could harmonize. It's a shame how their record company took advantage of them and failed to groom them for stardom. As a result, they would be subjected to years of obscurity and be almost forgotten until Diana Ross reemerged interest in their unique sound with her cover of their monumental 1956 hit, "Why Do Fools Fall In love" in 1981.

grat maan

Jimmy probably didn't use drugs or drink I don't no for sure but I think he didnt