The Platters, an American vocal group founded in 1952, hold a significant place in the early rock and roll era. Their unique sound bridges the gap between the pre-rock Tin Pan Alley tradition and the emerging rock and roll genre. Over the years, the group has seen multiple line-up changes, earning them the moniker “Many Voices One Name.” The most successful configuration included lead tenor Tony Williams, David Lynch, Paul Robi, founder Herb Reed, and Zola Taylor. With 40 charting singles on the Billboard Hot 100 from 1955 to 1967, including four number-one hits, The Platters left an indelible mark on the music industry. In 1990, they were honored with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Band Formation and Early Years
The Platters originated in Los Angeles in 1952 under the initial management of Federal Records A&R man Ralph Bass. The original members were Herb Reed, Alex Hodge, Cornell Gunter, and Joe Jefferson. Herb Reed came up with the group’s name, inspired by the “platter” of a phonograph turntable that spun vinyl records.
In June 1953, Cornell Gunter left to join The Flairs, making way for lead vocalist Tony Williams. The band released two singles with Federal Records but achieved limited success. Ralph Bass then enlisted the help of music entrepreneur and songwriter Buck Ram to mentor the group. Under Ram’s guidance, The Platters underwent some lineup changes, including the addition of female vocalist Zola Taylor and the replacement of Alex Hodge with Paul Robi in 1954.
During their tenure with Federal Records, The Platters recorded eight songs in the R&B/gospel style, gaining regional popularity on the West Coast. One of their early recordings, “Only You (And You Alone),” originally written by Buck Ram for the Ink Spots, was initially deemed unreleasable.
Despite their initial struggles, The Platters were a profitable touring group, which caught the attention of Mercury Records. Ram negotiated a deal where Mercury Records signed both The Platters and the Penguins. To secure the Penguins, Mercury had to sign The Platters as well, although the Penguins never achieved significant success with the label.
Charting Hits
Buck Ram recognized the potential of “Only You” and had The Platters re-record the song during their first Mercury Records session. Released in the summer of 1955, it became the group’s first Top Ten hit on the pop charts and dominated the R&B charts for seven weeks. Their follow-up, “The Great Pretender,” with lyrics written by Buck Ram in the washroom of the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, surpassed the success of their debut, becoming The Platters’ first national number-one hit.
“The Great Pretender” also became their most successful R&B hit, spending 11 weeks at the top of the R&B chart. The Platters continued to release hit singles, including “I’m Sorry,” “He’s Mine,” “Enchanted,” and “(You’ve Got) The Magic Touch.” They had a knack for reinterpreting 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.”
The group’s unique vocal style resonated with audiences, leading to a string of successful songs.
Changing Line-Up
The original 1952 lineup included lead vocalist Cornell Gunter, Herb Reed, Alex Hodge, Joe Jefferson, and David Lynch. Within a year, Gunter was replaced by tenor Tony Williams, setting the stage for The Platters’ iconic lineup. Alex Hodge and Joe Jefferson were also replaced by Paul Robi and Zola Taylor.
However, The Platters faced challenges after 1959 when the four male members were arrested in Cincinnati on drug and prostitution charges. Though no convictions were made, their professional reputation suffered as U.S. radio stations began removing their records from playlists, forcing the group to rely more on European bookings.
In 1960, lead vocalist Tony Williams departed to pursue a solo career, leading to his replacement by tenor Sonny Turner. This change prompted a lawsuit between Mercury Records and Buck Ram as Mercury refused to release further Platters’ material without Tony Williams on lead vocals.
The group’s lineup continued to evolve over the years, with members like Zola Taylor, Paul Robi, and others leaving or being replaced. This led to disputes over The Platters’ name, resulting in multiple versions of the group touring simultaneously.
Legal Battles
Legal disputes proliferated among various Platters groups, each vying for the rights to the name and songs. Bennett v. Gem Enterprises and Bennett v. Monroe Powell were among the legal battles. Despite the conflicts, The Platters’ music continued to resonate with audiences.
Herb Reed, a founding member, secured rights to the name “The Platters” in 2011. Over time, multiple court rulings clarified ownership of the name and trademark. The Platters’ legacy endures through Herb Reed Enterprises LLC, maintaining their iconic name and music.
Herb Reed, the only member to appear on every original Platters recording, passed away in June 2012. Sonny Turner, who succeeded Tony Williams as lead singer, continued to perform and maintain The Platters’ music legacy.