The Platters

One of the most successful vocal groups of the early rock and roll era, The Platters unique vocal style hit upon a successful formula of updating older standards with a distinctive sound that was unmistakably theirs.[1]

The act went through many personnel changes, but the most popular and successful incarnation included lead tenor Tony Williams, David Lynch, Paul Robi, Herb Reed, and Zola Taylor.

Convinced a song he had written, "Only You" had potential the group’s manager, Buck Ram insisted it be their first release at Mercury Records, resulting in a top five hit in the summer of 1955. The followup, “The Great Pretender” became the Platters' first chart topping #1 hit.[2]

Among the more than 50 million records sold were “The Magic Touch,” “My Prayer,” ”I’m Sorry,” “Twilight Time,” “Harbor Lights,” To Each His Own,” “If I Didn’t Care,” “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes,” and “To Each His Own.”

“The Platters were also the first rock and roll group to have a Top Ten album in America.

The group was among the first doo-wap groups to be inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.