The Platters were a successful vocal group of the early rock and roll era. Their distinctive sound was a bridge between the pre-rock Tin Pan Alley tradition, and the burgeoning new genre. 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. 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. Ram made some changes to the lineup, most notably the addition of lead vocalist Tony Williams and female vocalist Zola Taylor. 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.[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. With the Penguins in hand, Ram was able to parlay Mercury Records' interest into a 2-for-1 deal. In order to sign the Penguins, Ram insisted, Mercury also had to take the Platters. Ironically, the Penguins would never have a hit for the label.
1 | I'm Just A Dancing Partner | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 1 (Platters) |
2 | Helpless | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 1 (Platters) |
3 | It's Raining Outside (Chove La Fora) | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 2 (Platters) |
4 | Smoke Gets In Your Eyes | Forever Gold: The Platters |
5 | He's Mine | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 1 (Platters) |
6 | Harbor Lights | Forever Gold: The Platters |
7 | The Magic Touch | Rock & Roll Reunion Class of 56 |
8 | The Great Pretender | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 1 (Platters) |
9 | Heaven On Earth | Forever Gold: The Platters |
10 | Heaven On Earth | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 1 (Platters) |
11 | Where | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 2 (Platters) |
12 | Red Sails In The Sunset | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 2 (Platters) |
13 | Harbor Lights | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 2 (Platters) |
14 | Chapell In The Moonlight | Forever Gold: The Platters |
15 | And I Love You So | Forever Gold: The Platters |
16 | Unchained Melody | Forever Gold: The Platters |
17 | Heart Of My Heart | Forever Gold: The Platters |
18 | Enchanted | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 2 (Platters) |
19 | Tell My Why | Forever Gold: The Platters |
20 | On My Word Of Honour | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 1 (Platters) |