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 | My Prayer | Forever Gold: The Platters |
2 | Winner Take All | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 1 (Platters) |
3 | Smoke Gets In Your Eyes | Forever Gold: The Platters |
4 | Hula Hop | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 1 (Platters) |
5 | And I Love You So | Forever Gold: The Platters |
6 | Red Sails In The Sunset | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 2 (Platters) |
7 | For The First Time (Come Prima) | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 2 (Platters) |
8 | My Dream | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 1 (Platters) |
9 | I Give You My Word | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 1 (Platters) |
10 | Where | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 2 (Platters) |
11 | Only You (And You Alone) | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 1 (Platters) |
12 | I'm Sorry | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 1 (Platters) |
13 | Only Because | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 1 (Platters) |
14 | My Secret | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 2 (Platters) |
15 | Harbor Lights | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 2 (Platters) |
16 | Sin | Forever Gold: The Platters |
17 | Mister Sandman | Forever Gold: The Platters |
18 | Trees | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 2 (Platters) |
19 | Heaven On Earth | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 1 (Platters) |
20 | I'll Never Smile Again | The Magic Touch: An Anthology 2 (Platters) |