Platters founder Herb Reed dies at 83

Boston Herald via AP ^ | 6/5/12 | ap

[GQuagmire]

BOSTON — Herb Reed, the last surviving original member of the 1950s vocal group the Platters, has died. The group’s hits like "Only You" propelled them to stardom.

His manager says Reed died Monday in a Boston area hospice after a period of declining health. He was 83.

[DeFault User]

There's one that's close. Los cinco latinos started in '57 as an imitation of The Platters. The lead singer is Estela Raval.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccpXumaG2rk&feature=related

[murron]

When you hear what passes for music nowadays, and then you listen to the Platters and this group that you mentioned, there is no comparison. When you hear a Platters song, or anyone of their ilk, it puts you back in time and if you were in love at that time, the old feelings just flood back. I can’t see how today’s rap and whatever else they call the current music will have that effect on kids in the future. I may be wrong on that, but I can’t imagine an older couple 40 years from now listening to one of those rap songs and saying, “Listen honey. They’re playing our song.”

[Jaidyn]

I have a Platter’s album from the fifties, but no record player. As a child, I memorized all the songs, because Mom loved them so much.

[RedMDer]

Prayers sent.

[W.Lee]

Should have added, Sonny Turner replaced Tony Williams. I forget lots here are too young to know this stuff.

[DeFault User]

I agree. Most of my favorites are all dead: The Platters, Ella Fitzgerald, Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison.

[Doogle]

..their music became favorites with “oldie” stations when their music was hardly old....*smiles*

[duckman]

RIP Mr Reed, Thanks for some great music. Say hello to Zola Taylor, Tony Williams and Paul Robe for me.

[beelzepug]

Platters, Ink Spots, Mills Bros, they sure don’t make that kind of music anymore.

[giotto]

My older brother had that album. I played it so many times, I know every note by heart.

[albie]

King and Dawson make the triangle complete.