The Platters

Preeminent vocal group of the late 50s and early 60s, hugely successful in the U.S., as well as in England and Australia. Formed in Los Angeles in 1953, the original line-up of The Platters consisted of Tony Williams (lead vocals), David Lynch (tenor), Alex Hodge (1935-1982, baritone) and Herb Reed (bass). Later members included Zola Taylor (contralto), Paul Robi (baritone), Nate Nelson, Sonny Turner, Barbara Randolph and Sandra Dawn. After being signed to Mercury Records by their manager Buck Ram, The Platters made their breakthrough hit in 1956 with "Only You". This was followed by "The Great Pretender" which made it to #1 on the R&B charts, holding that spot for eleven weeks. The group performed both numbers on the screen in the musical Rock Around the Clock (1956). During their heyday, from 1956 to 1960, The Platters recorded a string of popular hits: "The Magic Touch", "My Prayer", "You'll Never Know", "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes", "Twilight Time", "Enchanted" and "Harbor Lights" (their final Top 10 single). The original Platters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998. They have been various groups since 1970 using the brand name, including The Buck Ram Platters, The Magic Platters (based in France), The Legendary Platters (Canada), Zola Taylor's Platters, The Amazing Platters, Sonny Turner's Platters and Herb Reed of The Original Platters & His Group.