By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 09:45 am:

DURING THE PLATTERS GOLDEN DAYS OF THE FIFTIES WHEN TONY WILLIAMS SANG LEAD DID ANY OTHERS HAVE A HIT ON LEAD OTHER THAN HIM?

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 09:48 am:

Not to my memory R&B.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 10:14 am:

All of the group's 50s hits featured Tony Williams on lead. Herb Reed lent his bass to the occasional album track, but Tony was definitely the star of the show!

By JoeR (170.148.10.41) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 10:28 am:

R&B -

The last big hit I remember was 'With This Ring' around 1965. It was lead by SONNY TURNER. His web site is http://www.sonnyturner.com

For complete info on the Platters here's an excellent web site: http://www.celebritydirect.org/platters/index.htm

Speaking of which, we (Earl Lewis & The Channels) will be performing with Herb Reed's Platters at CW Post, Long Island University on Mar 8, 2003. Herb is the only original Platter performing.

JoeR - http://mypages.netopia.com/channels

By Scratcher (65.134.147.160) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 10:44 am:

Turner replaced Tony Williams, I believe R&B was talking strictly about the Platters "golden years" when Tony Williams sang lead and the classy group forged a remarkable Hall-of-Fame career that inspired similar males/female lineups like the Miracles, Ruby & the Romantics, the Elgins, the Monitors, Gladys Knight & the Pips, the Superbs and others.

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 10:56 am:

I saw Sonny Turner just a few months ago with his "Platters" group. He still has a really great voice and it was one hell of a show. I believe Sonny Turner joined the Platters in '60, so his association with the group goes way back.

By RD (63.188.33.80) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 10:59 am:

No reflection on Sonny Turner, a great singer, but the Platters golden days ended when Tony Williams left.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 11:05 am:

I've seen old video clips of the Platters from different variety shows where Zola Taylor and Herb Reed shared the lead on "Dance With Me, Henry." The hits from the 50s had Tony Williams on the lead.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 11:17 am:

It could also be argued that the Platters hits were definitely a product of their time. Even if Tony Williams had stayed, they would have needed a change of musical direction to avoid being classed as an oldies act. Williams' brand of semi-operatic tenor probably wouldn't sit comfortably in the emerging sixties R&B styles. Let's face it - even Clyde McPhatter found the sixties hard going, after his initial success.

By RD (63.188.33.80) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 11:55 am:

True. If Williams had stayed the Platters golden years would have probably ended anyway. They wouldn't have been as successful in the sixties with that same style. The term golden years is just an indicator of the Tony Williams' years. I've never heard the term associated with the Platters after Williams left.

By Nikki (24.46.200.124) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 11:58 am:

In the 1980's I saw the Platters (with Tony Williams) perform. It was so sad to see the "poor condition" Tony was in while performing! Both times he literally fell off the stage! A very gifted man of true talent with an awesome voice, but unfortunately the drinking got the better of him!

And yes, a Platters group with original bass Herb Reed will be performing Sat, 3/8 at the Tilles Center, along with Earl Lewis, Joe R, & the Channels, and Joe Villa (original lead of the Royal Teens "Believe Me", "Short Shorts", "Big Name Button" and the Three Friends "Blanche"). I'm proud to say that my "better half" Jim Dunn is now performing with Joe as a 3 Friend and will be sharing the stage on this show! I'll be in the first row, cheering voice, camera, and all! Here is the total run-down with all the necessary info, if any of you folks in the NY/Long Island area would like to attend:

50's - 60's Doo-Wop Concert

3/8/03 Saturday 7:30 PM
Tilles Center- C.W. Post College

starring
Herb Reed & The Platters
Earl Lewis & The Channels
"The Closer You Are"

Joe Villa & The 3 Friends
(formerly of the Royal Teens)
"Blanche", "Believe Me","Short Shorts"

Kenny Vance & The Planotones
"Looking for an Echo"

Emil Stucchio & The Classics
"Till Then"

Artie A. and Time & Time Again
L. I.'s Favorite

Hosted by Don K. Reed - WCBS-101.1FM

Order by Telephone at TILLESCHARGE

TillesCharge (516-299-3100) accepts orders for single tickets by telephone with a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card. Tickets can be mailed (if time permits) or held at the Box Office for pick-up. There is a per ticket service charge for orders placed by telephone. Tickets cannot be held without payment.

Tickets: $35 -$30-$25

In harmony,

Nikki
http://www.harmonytrain.com

By Jim Dunn (24.46.200.124) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 12:20 pm:

Tony Williams definitely lead on the bulk of the Platters singles, certainly all of the hits. Ferlingere's discography shows Herb Reed on lead for "Hey Now" and "Roses Of Piccardy", two of their early Federal releases.
During the Mercury years, Zola Taylor lead on the 45 releases "Bark, Battle & Ball" and "He's Mine".
-----------------------------------
Joe R.,

I'll see you Saturday at the show.

Jim
(Joe Villa & 3 Friends)

By dvdmike (12.84.42.171) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 09:50 pm:

Zola Taylor sang lead on "He's Mine" which peaked at #5 on Billboard's R&B chart and #23 on the Hot 100 in 1957.