Herman Santiago
| Herman Santiago | |
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Herman Santiago
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Herman Santiago |
| Born |
February 18, 1941 San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Origin | Manhattan, New York |
| Genres | Rock and Roll, doo-wop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 1954–present |
| Labels | Gee |
| Associated acts |
Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 |
 You may view a performance by the Teenagers with Herman Santiago and listen to their version of "Why Do Fools Fall In Love?" on YouTube
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and to the original version with Frankie Lymon on YouTube. |
Herman Santiago (born February 18, 1941) is a rock and roll pioneer and songwriter who was previously a member of the vocal group Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. He (disputedly) wrote the group's iconic hit "Why Do Fools Fall In Love".
Santiago was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and raised in Manhattan, New York. In the early 1950s Santiago and friends, 2nd tenor Jimmy Merchant, fellow Puerto Rican Joe Negroni a baritone, and bassman Sherman Garnes, would meet in front of Santiago's apartment stoop in New York City to sing a cappella versions of hits of the day. They originally called themselves the "Ermines" and Santiago was their lead singer. On one occasion the "Ermines" participated in a talent show at PS 143 (Public School 143), at which another group, "The Cadillacs" were guests. After the show, in honor of the "Cadillacs", they changed their name to the "Coupe de Villes." This name only lasted a short time and they soon changed it to the "Premiers."
In 1954, 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" 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 (and also the lead singer of the "Valentines"), 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 once more, this time 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 the music sheet with the words to the song. Frankie Lymon filled in for Santiago, however according to Jimmy Merchant, once the precocious Lymon became an established member of the group, his vocal talent and instinctive stage presence made him the obvious choice to be the group's lead vocalist, and Santiago graciously stepped aside.
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Wikipedia