Zola Taylor
Zola Taylor , nee Zoletta Lynn Taylor , (born March 17, 1938 , † April 30, 2007 in Los Angeles ) was an American singer . She was the only female member of The Platters group from 1954 to 1962, when the group released their most popular singles .
Life
Zola Taylor was added to the group's four men by producer Buck Ram. This mixture, unusual in a morally strict time, attracted attention and contributed to success. Between 1956 and 1959, the group landed in the charts with four number 1 hits. Taylor left the Platters when their songs couldn't make it to the top.
Litigation
Zola Taylor was with the Platters until 1962 when she was replaced by singer Barbara Randolph. Taylor was the second of Frankie Lymon's three women. In 1984 a lawyer and agent of the artist sued on behalf of Emira Lymon to wrest the copyright of the Frankie Lymon hit "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" from the owner at the time. The case got muddled when it looked like Lymon had a second and perhaps a third widow. Elizabeth Waters alleged that she married Lymon in Virginia in 1964. However, it turned out that she was married to someone else at the time.
When Waters claim went to court, Taylor alleged in 1986 that she had been sexually active with Lymon on the "Biggest Rock 'n' Roll Show of 1956". She claimed to have married Lymon in Tijuana or Mexicali around 1965, but could not produce a certificate. At the first hearing, held in Philadelphia, it was decided in favor of Waters that she was Lymon's first wife. Emira appealed and won the re-edition of the trial based on her claim that she was Lymon's first wife.
Zola Taylor was portrayed by Halle Berry in a 1998 film about singer Frankie Lymon and his wives, which was released in cinemas based on the earlier song title "Why Do Fools Fall in Love".
Taylor had retired from the music business at the end of her life. She died in Los Angeles at the age of 69 of pneumonia after a series of strokes .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Der Spiegel, issue 19/2007
- ^ Associated Press (May 2, 2007). Zola Taylor, 69, R&B singer, Is Dead.
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Taylor, Zola |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Taylor, Zoletta Lynn (maiden name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American singer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | March 17, 1938 |
| DATE OF DEATH | April 30, 2007 |
| Place of death | los Angeles |