Merchant was born on February 10, 1940, in Morrisania, Bronx, New York, due to Harlem Hospital not having enough room at that time.

[5] In September 1954, while attending Edward W. Stitt Junior High School, Merchant met Sherman Garnes and formed The Earth Angels.

Jimmy Castor joined as the lead singer before he left and was replaced by Timothy Wilson (formerly of Tiny Tim & the Hits).

The group performed and toured all over the country bringing the show to countless numbers of doo wop / oldies fans.

On May 26, 2023, Merchant released his memoir called A Teenager's Dream: Why Do Fools Fall in Love via Pearly Gates Publishing.