The Platters were a successful vocal group of the early rock and roll era. Rock and roll (also known as rock 'n' roll) is a form of Music that evolved in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s with roots in mostly African Their distinctive sound was a bridge between the pre-rock Tin Pan Alley tradition, and the burgeoning new genre. Tin Pan Alley is the name given to the collection of New York City -centered music publishers and Songwriters who dominated the popular The act went through many personnel changes, with the most successful incarnation comprising lead tenor Tony Williams, David Lynch, Paul Robi, Herb Reed, and Zola Taylor. Tony Williams ( 5 April 1928 New Jersey USA &ndash 14 August 1992 New York USA) was the lead Singer for Zola Taylor, born Zoletta Lynn Taylor ( March 17, 1938 – April 30, 2007 in Los Angeles California) was an American
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Band formation and early years
The Platters formed in Los Angeles in 1953 and were initially managed by Ralph Bass. The group had a contract with Federal Records but had found little success before meeting music entrepreneur and songwriter Buck Ram. Federal Records was an American Record label founded in 1950 as a subsidiary of Syd Nathan 's King Records. Buck Ram ( November 21, 1907 Chicago Illinois - January 1, 1991 Las Vegas Nevada) was an American songwriter Ram made some changes to the lineup, most notably the addition of lead vocalist Tony Williams and female vocalist Zola Taylor. Tony Williams ( 5 April 1928 New Jersey USA &ndash 14 August 1992 New York USA) was the lead Singer for Zola Taylor, born Zoletta Lynn Taylor ( March 17, 1938 – April 30, 2007 in Los Angeles California) was an American Under Ram's guidance, the Platters recorded seven singles for Federal in the R&B/gospel style, scoring a few minor regional hits on the West Coast. One song recorded during their Federal tenure, Only You (And You Alone), originally written by Ram for the Ink Spots was deemed unreleasable by the label. " Only You (And You Alone " (often shortened to " Only You " is a pop song composed by Buck Ram and Ande Rand. The Ink Spots were a popular black vocal group that helped define the Musical genre that led to Rhythm & blues and Rock and roll, and the subgenre [1]
Despite their lack of chart success, the Platters were a profitable touring group--successful enough that The Penguins, coming off their #2 Earth Angel single, asked Ram to manage them as well. The Penguins were an American Doo-wop group of the 1950s and early 1960s best remembered for their only Top 40 hit, " Earth Angel For the "Married with Children" episode see Earth Angel (Married With the Penguins in hand, Ram was able to parlay Mercury Records' interest into a 2-for-1 deal. Mercury Records is a Record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Music Group in the US and are both subsidiaries of To sign the Penguins, Ram insisted, Mercury also had to take the Platters. Ironically, the Penguins would never have a hit for the label.
What set The Platters apart from other groups of the era was that Ram had the group incorporate. Each member received equal shares of stock, full royalties and their social security was paid thus insuring their future financial security.
Charting hits
Convinced by his business partner Jean Bennett and singer Tony Williams that "Only You" had potential, Ram had the Platters re-record the song during their first session for Mercury. Released in the summer of 1955, it became the group's first Top Ten hit on the pop charts, and topped the R&B charts for seven weeks. Year 1955 ( MCMLV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar) Record chart are a method of ranking Music according to Popularity during a given period of time The follow-up, The Great Pretender, with lyrics written in the washroom of the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, exceeded the success of their debut. " The Great Pretender " is a popular song recorded by The Platters and released as a single on November 3, 1955. It became the Platters' first national #1 hit. The Great Pretender was also the act's biggest R&B hit, with an 11-week run atop that chart. In 1956, The Platters appeared in the first major motion picture based around rock and roll, Rock Around the Clock, and performed both "Only You" and "The Great Pretender". Rock Around the Clock is the title of a 1956 musical motion picture that featured Bill Haley and His Comets
The Platters' unique vocal style had touched a nerve in the music-buying public, and a string of hit singles followed, including three Hot 100 number one hits. The Platters soon hit upon the successful formula of updating older standards, such as My Prayer, Twilight Time, Harbor Lights, To Each His Own, If I Didn't Care and Jerome Kern's Smoke Gets In Your Eyes. " Twilight Time " is a Popular song. The lyrics were written by Buck Ram, the music was written in 1944 by the Three Suns ( Morty Nevins " Harbor Lights " is a popular Song with music by Hugh Williams (pseudonym for Will Grosz) and lyrics by Jimmy Kennedy. " If I Didn't Care " is a song written by Jack Lawrence that was originally sung and recorded by The Ink Spots in 1939 Jerome David Kern ( January 27, 1885 &ndash November 11, 1945) was an American Composer of popular music " Smoke Gets in Your Eyes " is a Show tune written by American composer Jerome Kern and lyricist Otto Harbach for their 1933 Operetta This latter release caused a small controversy after Kern's widow expressed concern that her late husband's composition would be turned into a "rock and roll" record. It topped both the American and British charts in a tasteful Platters-style arrangement. The Platters were also the first rock and roll group to have a Top Ten album in America.
The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in its inaugural year of 1998. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a Museum located on the shores of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland Ohio, United States Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) The Vocal Group Hall of Fame was organized to honor what they term "the Greatest Vocal Groups in the World" Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) The Platters were the only act to have three songs included on the "American Graffiti" soundtrack: "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes", "The Great Pretender" and "Only You (and You Alone)". American Graffiti is a period Coming of age film directed by George Lucas, and written by Lucas Gloria Katz and Willard Huyck " Smoke Gets in Your Eyes " is a Show tune written by American composer Jerome Kern and lyricist Otto Harbach for their 1933 Operetta " The Great Pretender " is a popular song recorded by The Platters and released as a single on November 3, 1955. " Only You (And You Alone " (often shortened to " Only You " is a pop song composed by Buck Ram and Ande Rand.
Changing lineup
The group's lineup has changed many times. The original lineup in 1953 included lead vocalist Cornell Gunter, Herb Reed, Alex Hodge, Joe Jefferson, and David Lynch. Year 1953 ( MCMLIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Cornell Gunter ( 14 November 1936 &ndash 26 February 1990) was an American Rhythm and blues Singer, most active This lineup changed when the group signed with Ram, who built the group around Tony Williams' distinctive and versatile voice and his ability to bring life to Ram's songs. Within a year, Hodge, Jefferson, and Gunter were out, and Paul Robi, Zola Taylor, and new lead Tony Williams were in. Zola Taylor, born Zoletta Lynn Taylor ( March 17, 1938 – April 30, 2007 in Los Angeles California) was an American Tony Williams ( 5 April 1928 New Jersey USA &ndash 14 August 1992 New York USA) was the lead Singer for This lineup - the one remembered for the group's biggest and most successful hits - lasted until 1960. Year 1960 ( MCMLX) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. At that time Williams left for a solo career, and was replaced by Sonny Turner. Mercury refused to issue further Platters releases without Williams on lead vocals, provoking a lawsuit between the label and manager Ram. The label spent two years releasing old Williams-era material until the group's contract elapsed.
As the group's lineup splintered further, endless wrangling over the lucrative "Platters" name began, with injunctions, non-compete clauses and multiple versions of the act touring at the same time. Williams would lead his own Platters group, as would Zola Taylor (who left in 1964) and Paul Robi (who departed in 1965). The Buck Ram Platters had the strongest contractual claim to the name. Since Ram had built the group to showcase his songs, he added his name to that of The Platters to distinguish his vision from that of the pretenders. Despite the confusion, "The Platters" lineup with lead vocalist Sonny Turner, Nate Nelson (former lead voice of The Flamingos), David Lynch, Herb Reed and Sandra Dawn signed to Musicor Records and enjoyed a short chart renaissance in 1966-67, with the comeback singles I Love You 1000 Times ,With This Ring, and the Motown-influenced "Washed Ashore". The Flamingos were a Doo wop group from the United States, most popular in the mid to late 1950s. Musicor Records was a New York City based Record label, active during the 1960s and 1970s With This Ring ( January 21, 1951 &ndash March 11, 1951) was a Prime time panel show broadcast by the DuMont
Herb Reed, the final member of the original Platters, left in 1969. Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. He would eventually lead an "official" Platters group under license from The Five Platters, Inc. Nelson filled Robi's vacancy in 1967. He later worked with Herb Reed's group, until suffering a fatal heart attack in 1984. Sonny Turner left in 1970 and was replaced by Monroe Powell. Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. (Turner led his own Platters group starting in 1970. ) Powell remained a constant member from 1970 to 1995. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 That year, a dispute between Powell and owner/manager Jean Bennett (who had purchased Personality Productions, the booking/management arm of The Platters business, from Ram in 1966) led to the two parting ways. At the time, the group's lineup was in limbo, leaving one person, Kenn Johnson, as the only other group member. Powell and Johnson continued touring as The Platters, with Bennett hiring five new singers to be the "Buck Ram Platters," with lead Tyrone Sweet.
A number of legal challenges have developed among the many groups of Platters. Monroe Powell was sued by Jean Bennett, and his group must now include his name in billing (e. g. The Platters feat. Monroe Powell). Those looking to hear the classic lineup of songs had their pick of approved, disputed, and ersatz Platters, such as Sonny Turner's, Zola Taylor's, Ritchie Jones' (member 1984-85), Milton Bullock's (member 1967-70), the late Paul Robi's (managed by his wife), Jean Bennett's "Buck Ram" Platters, Monroe Powell's , Herb Reed's, and several groups with no current ties to the original group (many had once contained former members, who were retired or deceased).
Recent history and consolidation
Shortly before Paul Robi succumbed to pancreatic cancer on February 1, 1989, he won a long court battle against Ram's estate and was awarded compensation and exclusive rights to the "Platters" name. In turn, those rights were later stripped from Robi's widow in 1997, and the exclusive right to tour as "The Platters" was awarded to Herb Reed. In 2002, Herb Reed's exclusive trademark rights were legally rescinded. A member of the 1954-69 lineup, his group still tours as Herb Reed's Platters. In 2007, he discussed the abundance of touring Platters groups: "I have to laugh because when you ask me how I feel about it, I'm irate, I'm infuriated. . . I've lost 25 weeks of work a year. "
In January 2006, Jean Bennett, owner of Five Platters Inc. , and Personality Productions since 1966, entered into an agreement to sell all of her Platters-related assets and intellectual property rights to the Las Vegas-based company G. E. M. Group, Inc. There was immediate disagreement between G. E. M. and Bennett, and a lawsuit was filed. In June 2006, G. E. M. Group entered into an agreement with Sonny Turner, former lead singer of The Platters, to be licensed as another of the "official" Platters groups. Turner, who had not been able to bill himself as Sonny Turner of The Platters since 1972 due to a legal injunction, became the leader of "The Platters starring the legendary Sonny Turner". He performs internationally under the management wing of G. E. M.
Herb Reed is the sole surviving singing member of the original group.
Hit singles
| Release date | Title | Chart Positions | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Charts | US R&B chart | UK Charts | Australia | ||||||||
| 7/55 | "Only You" | #5 | #1 | #5 | |||||||
| 11/55 | "The Great Pretender" | #1 | #1 | #5 | |||||||
| 2/56 | "The Magic Touch" | #4 | #4 | ||||||||
| 6/56 | "My Prayer" | #1 | #1 | #4 | |||||||
| 6/56 | "Heaven on Earth" | #39 | #13 | ||||||||
| 8/56 | "You'll Never Never Know" | #11 | #9 | #23 | |||||||
| 8/56 | "It Isn't Right" | #13 | #10 | #23 | |||||||
| 11/56 | "On My Word of Honor" | #20 | #7 | ||||||||
| 11/56 | "One in a Million" | #31 | #11 | ||||||||
| 2/57 | "I'm Sorry" | #11 | #15 | #18 | |||||||
| 2/57 | "He's Mine" | #23 | #5 | ||||||||
| 4/57 | "My Dream" | #24 | #7 | ||||||||
| 4/57 | "I Wanna" | #24 | |||||||||
| 8/57 | "Only Because" | #65 | |||||||||
| 12/57 | "Helpless" | #56 | |||||||||
| 4/58 | "Twilight Time" | #1 | #1 | #3 | #1 | ||||||
| 6/58 | "You're Making a Mistake" | #51 | |||||||||
| 9/58 | "I Wish" | #42 | |||||||||
| 9/58 | "It's Raining Outside" | #93 | |||||||||
| 10/58 | "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" | #1 | #3 | #1 | #1 | ||||||
| 2/59 | "Enchanted" | #12 | #9 | ||||||||
| 5/59 | "Remember When" | #41 | #25 | ||||||||
| 9/59 | "Where" | #44 | |||||||||
| 9/59 | "Wish It Were Me" | #61 | |||||||||
| 1/60 | "Harbor Lights" | #8 | #15 | #11 | |||||||
| 1/60 | "Sleepy Lagoon" | #65 | |||||||||
| 5/60 | "Ebb Tide" | #56 | |||||||||
| 8/60 | "Red Sails in the Sunset" | #36 | |||||||||
| 10/60 | "To Each His Own" | #21 | |||||||||
| 1/61 | "If I Didn't Care" | #30 | |||||||||
| 1961 | "Trees" | #62 | |||||||||
| 7/61 | "I'll Never Smile Again" | #25 | #17 | ||||||||
| 1/62 | "It's Magic" | #91 | |||||||||
| 4/66 | "I Love You 1000 Times" | #31 | #6 | ||||||||
| 11/66 | "I'll Be Home" | #97 | |||||||||
| 2/67 | "With This Ring" | #14 | #12 | ||||||||
| 6/67 | "Washed Ashore" | #56 | #29 | ||||||||
| 10/67 | "Sweet, Sweet Lovin'" | #70 | #32 | ||||||||
References
External links
- Jean Bennett web site
- Herb Reed and The Platters web site
- 'The Platters' Vocal Group Hall of Fame Page
- The Platters - by Dr. Frank Hoffmann
- The Platters - Biography
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