R&B/Soul
United States
The Platters
About The Platters
One of the most successful Black vocal groups of the ’50s, The Platters reached a massive mainstream audience with their smooth, sophisticated harmonies. The group scored four No. 1 pop hits, including “The Great Pretender.”
• The Platters formed in Los Angeles in 1952. By 1954, the group had come to feature Herb Reed, Tony Williams, Zola Taylor, David Lynch, and Paul Robi.
• The quintet scored a Top 5 hit with “Only You” in 1955. Later that year, they notched their first No. 1 on the Billboard pop charts with “The Great Pretender.”
• The group returned to the pop summit with “My Prayer” (1956), “Twilight Time” (1958), and “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” (1958).
• Their reputation took a hit after the four male members were arrested on drug and prostitution charges in 1959. But none of the singers were convicted.
• The Platters reached the Top 10 with their 1960 version of “Harbor Lights” but spent the remainder of the decade amassing only minor hits. After the group disbanded in 1969, a number of competing Platters lineups led to much legal wrangling. Reed won ownership of the Platters’ name in 2011 and died the following year.
• The Platters were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
Musical InfluencesThe Platters's musical influences include Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, The Andrews Sisters and more.
Influenced by The PlattersThe Platters has influenced the music of The Beach Boys, Boyz II Men, The Temptations and more.
Similar to: The Platters
Discover more music and artists similar to The Platters, like The Drifters, The Everly Brothers, Bobby Vinton
