The Platters
1950s pop • doo-wop • R&B
Classic lineup
Tony Williams, Zola Taylor, Herb Reed, Paul Robi, David Lynch
The Great Pretender (1955)
Their most iconic single.
The Platters were one of the most successful vocal groups of the 1950s, known for elegant ballads,
lush harmonies, and orchestral pop arrangements that crossed racial and cultural barriers.
Formed in Los Angeles in 1952 under manager Buck Ram, the group became the first Black vocal group
to top the U.S. pop charts.
Romantic ballads, smooth harmonies, dramatic orchestration, and Tony Williams’ soaring tenor.
Only You • The Great Pretender • Smoke Gets in Your Eyes • Twilight Time • My Prayer • Harbor Lights
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, over 100 million records sold, and one of the most influential
groups in American pop history.