The Platters - Music Legends The Platters The Legendary Band of R&B and Soul Music (2024)

With classics such as "The Great Pretender," "Only You," and their rendition of "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," the Platters were one of the preeminent doo wop groups of the rock & roll era. Under the guidance of manager and producer Buck Ram, the Platters churned out hit after hit during the 1950s, bridging the gap between more traditional vocal-group stylings and the popular R&B grooves of the early '50s. Their sound was unique, marked by lead singer Tony Williams' powerful vocals and the feminine touch of singer Zola Taylor. Although competing versions of the Platters confused the public for many years, original founding member Herb Reed eventually solidified his rights to the name and the group continued recording and performing into the 2010s.
The Platters started out in 1952 as a Los Angeles-based doo wop group who made a few records for Federal, a subsidiary of Cincinnati's King Records. What changed their fortunes boils down to one very important name: their mentor, manager, producer, songwriter, and vocal coach Buck Ram. Ram took a standard doo wop vocal group and turned them into stars, and one of the most enduring and lucrative groups of all time. By 1954, Ram was already running a talent agency in Los Angeles, writing and arranging for publisher Mills Music, managing the Three Suns -- a pop group who had some success -- and working with his protégés the Penguins. The Platters seemed like a good addition to his stable.
Tracklist
1. Only You (And You Alone) (02:34)
2. The Great Pretender (02:35)
3. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (02:37)
4. Twilight Time (02:46)
5. Harbor Lights (02:43)
6. My Prayer (02:44)
7. (You've Got) The Magic Touch (02:28)
8. If I Didn't Care (03:06)
9. Enchanted (02:51)
10. Remember When (02:48)
11. You'll Never Never Know (02:37)
12. One in a Million (02:51)
13. Red Sails in the Sunset (02:21)
14. Heaven on Earth (02:31)
15. I'm Sorry (02:51)
16. Where (02:40)
17. You Made Me Cry (02:15)
18. Love All Night (02:56)
19. Only Because (02:50)
20. The Glory of Love (02:44)
21. Prisoner of Love (02:41)
22. On My Word of Honor (03:01)
23. I Wanna (02:49)
24. Sixteen Tons (02:32)
25. A-Tisket A-Tasket (02:03)
26. I'll Never Smile Again (02:51)
27. You Don't Say (02:45)
28. My Dream (02:37)
29. Sleepy Lagoon (02:38)
30. My Serenade (01:53)
31. You'll Never Know (01:54)