The Platters Vinyl Record Memories.

With original classics like "Only You" and "The Great Pretender," The Platters vinyl record memories return to the '50s with one of the preeminent vocal groups throughout the second half of the decade.

The group formed in 1953 when a recently discharged young Army veteran named Herb Reed recruited Cornell Gunther, Joe Jefferson, and Alex Hodge to form a vocal quartet that would eventually be called The Platters. These four men were in fact, the “original” Platters.

The Los Angeles based group made a few records for the Federal label, a subsidiary of Cincinnati's King Records. In 1954, after a failed attempt to record "Only You" (and You Alone) with Federal Records, Jefferson, Gunther and Hodge left the group. They were immediately replaced by Tony Williams, David Lynch, and Paul Robi.

That same year, Zola Taylor joined becoming the first female vocalist to break through the gender divide as part of an all-male vocal group.

This second lineup of the newly formed quintet is often mistakenly referred to as the “original Platters,” although this is the group that was actually responsible for all of The Platters hit records going forward.

What changed The Platters fortunes boils down to one man: their mentor, manager, producer, songwriter, and vocal coach, Buck Ram.

By 1954, Ram was already running a talent agency in Los Angeles, writing and arranging for publisher Mills Music, and working with his protégés, the Penguins. Who can forget their classic ultra-romantic ballad, Earth Angel. The Platters seemed like a good addition to his stable.

Under his guidance Ram took a standard doo wop vocal group and turned them into stars -- one of the most enduring and lucrative groups of all time. After adjusting the lineup he settled on lead Tony Williams, second tenor David Lynch, baritone Paul Robi, and bass Herb Reed, finally adding contralto Taylor in 1955 to complete their perfect harmonic combination. Ram believed this group would have more elegance and sophistication than the average R&B act. He was right...

Buck Ram managed to sign The Platters to a major deal with Mercury Records and it was then the trendsetting group re-recorded Only You (and You Alone) on April 26, 1955, launching them onto the national stage. Zola Taylor turned seventeen one month prior to the release of "Only You." The Platters would churn out hit after hit during the 1950s, bridging the gap between more traditional vocal-group styles and the popular R&B grooves of the early '50s.

Watch this video of the original clip from the 1956 movie "Rock Around The Clock" and then continue below to read how the song was reportedly released in error.

The Platters initial release of "Only You" was released to the public in error. A popular DJ of the time named Alan Freed accidentally played the single on air during a "prime time" that was traditionally reserved for only white artists.

The romantic 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, pioneering the "new sound" of rock-n-roll as we know it today.

When R&B and doo wop began to crossover into the pop charts, The Platters were perfectly positioned to be the smooth, classy alternative to the street-corner sounds of the early doo wop groups.

The Platters embraced the opportunity and became a finely honed quintet of expert balladeers whose vocal harmonies were as delightful as their material was refined. That carefully crafted polish led to pop crossover status on an epic scale, and throughout the second half of the '50s, racked up a number of huge crossover hits, none better than their second Top Ten hit, "The Great Pretender." The song describes a man who deals with his heartbreak by denying it - he's mastered the art of smiling through the pain.

One year before his death on June 4, 2012, Reed felt the thrill of a long overdue victory after a federal judge ruled he had superior rights above all others to the group’s legendary name. 

This ruling, in principle, was subsequently validated by three other federal judges as well as two, three-judge panels in the 2nd and 9th US Circuit Courts of Appeal.

Litigation involving The Platters trademark has been ongoing for more than half a century, due to the proliferation of fake “Platters” groups and individuals falsely claiming to be “Platters.”

Reed and his company, Herb Reed Enterprises, LLC (“HRE”), initiated a series of lawsuits, which reinforced his sole stake in The Platters name, finding his rights superior to all others.

Determination by Mr. Reed resulted in the right choice by the courts. It's nice he was able to see it all happen prior to his death. Good for you Herb Reed.