The Platters
Urban, Classic R&B, Oldies, Pop, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s
The multi-platinum, Rock and Roll, Vocal Group and Grammy Halls of Fame Platters were comprised of founder and naming member Herb Reed, Tony Williams, Paul Robi, Zola Taylor and David Lynch. In 1955, the quintet crashed through the racial divide that existed between black and white artists during America's infamous civil rights era.
Their debut hit single “Only You (and You Alone)” that launched The Platters as superstars on the world stage was actually an error. A popular DJ named Alan Freed accidentally played their Mercury Records debut single, on-air during a "prime" time that was traditionally reserved for "white artists." The ballad, based on the then-groundbreaking Tin Pan Alley sound, became an instant hit with the public and would eventually reach number five on the Pop charts.
Soon after, The Platters released “The Great Pretender,” which propelled them to the number one spot on the charts, providing the launchpad for their meteoric rise. As a result, they became the first African American group to achieve international superstardom. Both songs have since been declared songs of the 21st century by the Grammy Foundation.
The last in a series of contemporary federal court cases that began in 2010 resulted in a court order that Reed had superior rights above all others to the group's name, solidifying Reed's ownership, performance and other intellectual property rights of The Platters trademark. As a result, a list that once numbered in the hundreds of imposters or great pretenders that deceived the public by claiming to be or have an affiliation with the legendary group has finally been stopped. As a result, The Platters today have restarted the evolution of the group after stagnating for decades with their well-known crisp, vocal stylings.
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