The follow-up, "The Great Pretender", with lyrics written in the washroom of the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas by Buck Ram,[4] exceeded the success of their debut and became The Platters' first national #1 hit. group's sound added Zola Taylor, who belonged to one of his other acts Shirley Gunter and The Platters' unique vocal style had touched a chord in the music-buying public. We were the first Afro-American group to have a girl singer. From 1955 to 1960, the Platters had four No. To distinguish his group from the offshoots started by former members, Ram added his name to that of the group. Taylor was back in the spotlight in 1968, when she and two other women who claimed to be former teenage idol Frankie Lymons widow became embroiled in a bitter legal battle for his royalties. She was a very pretty young lady and what a great, great smile, Reed told The Associated Press. After suffering a stroke in the late 1990s, Taylor stopped performing. They toured the world and were an international sensation in the late 1950s, according to Contemporary Musicians (1999). WebTaylor left the Platters in 1964, later reuniting with Lynch and Robi as the Original Platters. She was 69. Herb Reed, the last surviving original member of 1950s vocal group the Platters who sang on hits like Only You and The Great Pretender, has died at a Boston area hospice, The Associated Press reports. [21][failed verification], Despite Ram and Bennett's assertions, it was later determined that Five Platters Inc., and Jean Bennett never had legitimate rights to The Platters name.[22][23]. Despite their lack of chart success, The Platters were a profitable touring group, successful enough that the Penguins, coming off their #8 single "Earth Angel", asked Ram to manage them as well. Who is the current lead singer of the Platters? Required fields are marked *. Reed, who was 83, passed away in a hospice in the Boston area, reports AP. G.E.M. The band's second manager Ram decided to build the group around Williams's distinctive and versatile voice and his ability to bring life to Ram's songs. Sonny Turner, who replaced Tony Williams in late 1959, performed as Sonny Turner, former lead singer of The Platters. [13] Although no one was convicted, their professional reputation was seriously damaged and US radio stations started removing their records from playlists,[14] forcing the group to rely more heavily on European bookings. From 1955 to 1960, the Platters had four No. The group scored four No. Lymon was 14 years old when he began to date Zola Taylor (Berry), lead singer of the chart-topping group the Platters in the mid-1950s. Mr. Lymon, a teen pop sensation in the 1950s with hits like Why Do Fools Fall in Love?, had died of a drug overdose in 1968 at age 25. The details of baritone Hodge's departure are muddy; author Peter A. Grendysa, says Ram fired Alex Hodge in October 1954 after having been accused of possession of marijuana. Ring" (#14 Pop, #12 R&B) and "Washed Ashore.". The groups next hit, The Great Pretender, raced to the No. With her in the lineup, The Great Pretender raced to the number one spot on both R & B and pop music charts in the U.S. and Europe, according to The Encyclopedia of Pop, Rock and Soul by Irwin Stambler. two-sided hits. She attributed the breakup to the Beatles-inspired upheaval of pop music. Zola Taylor died in Riverside, CA at age 69, from pneumonia, following a series of strokes. The Platters differed from most other groups of the era because Ram had the group incorporated in 1956. David Lynch - second tenor Why did Tony Williams leave the Platters? R&B Vocal Groups: 1945 to 1965.. The group's line-up splintered further: in 1964 Taylor left[15] and was consecutively replaced by Beverly Hansen Harris,[16] Barbara Randolph and, in 1965, by Sandra Dawn. WebThe original female member of the immortal Platters, Zola Taylor contributed lead and backing vocals to some of the most influential and enduring recordings in R&B history, Sonny Turner1960 1970Monroe Powell1970 1995Cornell Gunter1953 1953 [24] In 1994, Jean Bennett fraudulently licensed the name for a show at the Sahara Casino in Las Vegas; that show ran for 15 years. She let him live in her hillside house with instructions to pay bills out of an allowance forwarded to him by her attorney. He still tours and performs around the world. The seventies saw Ram and Williams fighting over who owned the Platter name. Sonny Barnes was hired to take Williams place, but lasted less then a year. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. three weeks and #1 R&B. Zola Taylor, who was the first female member of the 1950s group the Platters, a Los Angeles-based quintet that was one of rocks first major R&B; crossover acts, has died. She had a baby voice that everyone liked a big voice, but there was a sweetness and a little bit of bite to it, which was good, Steve Propes, co-author of L.A. (#92) their last charter in early 1962. Ms. Taylor was back in the spotlight in 1968, when she and two other women who claimed to be Mr. Lymons widow became embroiled in a bitter legal battle for his royalties. Other Works WebAnother billed as the Original Platters had Paul Robi, David Lynch, and Zola Taylor. Maybe it was the afterglow from her Tijuana marriage that induced Zola to trust a junkie like Frankie to take care of her financial affairs when she left to tour Japan with the Platters in December 1965. Many had once contained former members who were now retired or deceased. Zola Taylor has won numerous awards and accolades throughout her career and has maintained a large fan base worldwide. [12] The resulting line-up, the one remembered for some of the group's timeless hits, lasted until 1960. In 1990, the Platters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. percentage. Taylor left the Platters when the group disbanded in the early 60s. He was inspired by the "turntable" of an old phonograph machine and the "platter" that spun the vinyl records. The men were acquitted but, public reaction caused some radio stations to pull Variety and the Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC. Bass then asked his friend, music entrepreneur, and songwriter Buck Ram, to coach the group in the hope of getting a hit record. WebZola Taylor left in 1962, for personal reasons and was replaced by Sandra Dawn. Before the original hit group formed there were at least three different units going under the name the Drifters. What can I build into my guitar and use the tone pots buttons to adjust? WebZola Taylor Net Worth is $300,000 Zola Taylor Bio/Wiki, Net Worth, Married 2018 Zola Taylor was born on March 17, 1938 in Los Angeles, California, USA as Zoletta Lynn Taylor. Further personnel changes occurred in the group around this time, with Zola Taylor leaving and being replaced by Barbara Randolph for a time and then by Sandra Dawn. ', Chris Pine Admits It Did Look Like Harry Styles Spit on Me, but He Did Not: The Vitriol Against Dont Worry Darling Was Ridiculous, HBO's Leading Man: Casey Bloys on Perfecting 'The Last of Us,' HBO Max Streaming Merger and Axing Shows, A24 Sweeps Film Categories at the 2023 SAG Awards as 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' Breaks Record for Most Wins, Jean Smart 'Doing Well, Recovering' Following Heart Procedure, Says Hacks Co-Star Hannah Einbinder, Ke Huy Quan Becomes First Asian Male Film Winner at SAG Awards for 'Everything Everywhere All at Once'. In the racially-divided atmosphere of the time, it was a career-damaging incident. WebThe menu offers French gourmet classics think luxurious seafood platters piled high with oysters and prawns, or steak served with green beans and pured potatoes. They were found innocent but many radio stations quit playing their singles, Contemporary Musicians recounted. 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Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a1646ef1e8e6ffb She died on April 30, 2007 in Riverside, California. were no more hits with Mercury after 1962. most of the sixties. To sign the Penguins, Ram insisted, Mercury also had to take The Platters. Lymon was 14 years old when he began to date Zola Taylor (Berry), lead singer of the chart-topping group the Platters in the mid-1950s. He was taken ill at Dulles International Airport Sept. She was previously married to Frankie Lymon, Lawrence James Savage and James Baptiste. Scandal also might have played a part: The four men in the The Platters were the first rock and roll group to have a Top Ten album in America. Herb Reed - bass. Barnes was replaced by Charles "Sonny" Turner who stayed with the group through It stayed on the charts 39 weeks and was the first rock and roll record to beat The all-male group had just signed with Mercury after its single Only You topped the charts and its manager thought they needed a female voice to soften their sound. Their seventh Federal single "Only You" became their first regional Ram had originally met the Platters while they were working as 1960 saw their last top ten record "Harbor Lights (#8 Pop, #15 R&B). She was an actress, known for Coronacin (2000), Rock All Night (1957) and Why Do Fools Fall in Love (1998). Taylor He recorded an LP, A Girl Is A Girl Is A Girl, but his career faltered after he was arrested on a morals charge, of which he was later cleared. The case became confused when it looked like Lymon had a second and possibly a third widow. Where to find practice tracks for jazz piano (specifically for the realbook). In the 1980s he Taylor, who had been bedridden following several strokes, died from complications of pneumonia, said her nephew Alfie Robinson. 1 spot on both R&B and pop music charts. Drifters (Japanese: , Hepburn: Dorifutzu) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kouta Hirano. [18] Nelson left the group in 1967. a hit. Ram won She Mercury refused to release any records with its white cover record for the race in the Top Ten. "Little Things Mean a Lot. Herb Reed died in June 2012 at 83. Scandal also may He was 84 and had been in declining health, according to his manager, Fred Balboni. [2][3] Reed named the group while sitting around a kitchen table with Hodge and others. How long a keyboard is recommended to start learning to play the piano? Alex Hodge - baritone replaced by Paul Robi The original group consisted of Herb Reed, Alex Hodge, Cornell Gunter and Joe Jefferson. NEW YORK Taylor left the Platters when the group disbanded in the early 1960s. The drama was a focal point in the 1998 Lymon biopic Why Do Fools Fall in Love. Halle Berry played Taylor. hits 1955 to 1960. David Lynch. Zola Taylor left in 1962, for personal reasons and was replaced by Sandra Dawn. WebWhat happened to Zola Taylor of the Platters? The Nevada district court granted Reed summary judgment, awarding him over $59,000 in damages (from US and international tour performances) and permanent injunctive relief, preventing Powell from using the "Platters" name without using the words "tribute" or "salute".[29][30]. Due to a dispute over his contract, including a salary increase and a fair share of royalties, King was never again given a chance by Drifters manager George Treadwell to perform with the group on tour or on television. The drama was a focal point in the 1998 Lymon biopic Why Do Fools Fall in Love. Halle Berry played Taylor. On television, fellow Drifters member Charlie Thomas usually lip-synched the songs that King had recorded with the Drifters. performed in a group featuring his wife Helen. He was 25 when he died of a drug overdose in 1968. Another woman was found to be his legal widow. The guys became jealous because Zola was going over so well and they started to work harder, Ram recalled in the 2000 book L.A. It reached #1 Pop on June 19, 1959, for Zola Taylor Reed said he was as surprised by the uproar as the titillated public. The current line up of the one legally authorized original Platters vocal group consists of Brian McIntosh, Leslie Mone, Erik Glenn & Lance Bernard Bryant. Founding Platters member Herb Reed said he spotted Taylor, the sister of Cornell Gunter of the Coasters, rehearsing with a girl group in 1955 and knew immediately she had the charisma and vocal chops the band needed. Your email address will not be published. In 2007, Nestl discontinued Drifter before reintroducing it in May 2008, enjoying a similar act of nostalgia as Cadburys Wispa bar. | Taylor left the Platters when the group disbanded in the early 60s. King was best known for his sing Stand By Me, which hit No. Tony Williams - lead replaced by Sonny Turner 1960 Robinson said she told him that the two wed in Mexico while she was touring with the Platters and forgot to file papers in San Diego. WebAccording to court documents, the three are Emira Eagle Lymon, 46, a school teacher in Augusta, Ga.; Elizabeth Waters Lymon, 43, of Philadelphia, who said she bore Lymon a child; and Zola Mae Taylor of Los Angeles, the female voice of the Platters. Buck had a long career as an arranger for big bands like Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey, And he was still just a kid when he started on the next wife, Elizabeth Waters, said Nava. Sonny Turner is the only surviving member of The Platters. for promotion and might have been the first music video. And she had this baby voice that everyone liked.. Tony Williams formed his own Platters and as of 1989 they consisted of he and his wife Helen, to play piano for the musician who had to leave early. Zola Taylor was the only female singer in the Platters between WebWhy did Zola Taylor leave the Platters? The case was dismissed for lack of action on G.E.M.s part. Their distinctive sound bridges the pre-rock Tin Pan Alley tradition and the new burgeoning genre. The movie never notes Frankies voice changing, or the fact that unlike actor Larenz Tate, the real-life Frankie lost his looks and charm.29 1998. The line-up in 1952 included lead vocalist Cornell Gunter, Herb Reed, Alex Hodge, Joe Jefferson, and David Lynch. She became the only female member of The Platters from 1954 to 1962, when the group produced most of their popular singles such as My Prayer, Twilight Time, Harbor Lights, To Each His Own, If I Didnt Care and Smoke Gets in Your Eyes. Those looking to hear the classic lineup of songs had their pick of approved, disputed, and substituted Platters, including Sonny Turner's, Zola Taylor's, Ritchie Jones' (member 198485), Milton Bullock's (member 196770), Paul Robi's (managed by his widow), Jean Bennett's "Buck Ram Platters", Monroe Powell's, Herb Reed's, and several other groups with no current ties to the original group. It was a dreamy combination of hazelnut cream, wafer and milk chocolate. entered into an agreement with Sonny Turner, who'd been the lead singer of the Platters from 1960 to 1970. A profusion of legal challenges ensued among the many groups of Platters. During the early days of The Platters, she was involved in a molestation scandal. Released in the summer of 1955, it became the group's first Top Ten hit on the pop charts and topped the R&B charts for seven weeks. In 1958 they introduced "Twilight Time" on Dick Clark's American She attributed the breakup to the Beatles-inspired upheaval of pop music. and became their second #1 R&B and first #1 Pop hit. If so, what is it called? In 1990, Taylor was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Platters. In early 2019 Drifter was discontinued by Nestl. This was his last recording as a Drifter. Various line-ups using The Platters' name have toured concurrently since the 1970s. After a few unsuccessful records, Ram replace Hodge with Paul Robi and to soften the Red - Deek Watson & Ink Spots - Decca - 4/38 King was a principal member of the group The Drifters, and sang on such classics as This Magic Moment and There Goes My Baby. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Sounding like the Four Tops, the He co-wrote and sang lead on the first Atlantic hit by the new version of the Drifters, There Goes My Baby (1959). With her in the lineup, The Great Pretender raced to the number one spot on both R & B and pop music charts in the U.S. and Europe, according to The Encyclopedia of Pop, Rock and Soul by Irwin Stambler. The Platters is currently touring across 1 country and has 2 upcoming concerts. Taylor, who had been bedridden following several strokes, died Monday at Parkview Community Hospital in Riverside County from complications of pneumonia, said her nephew Alfie Robinson. Zola Taylor, who broke gender barriers as the first female member of the 1950s R&B group The Platters and later became entangled in a public soap opera as one Your email address will not be published. This began a streak of eleven At the time of her death, she was 69 years old. Williams, Robi, and Taylor led their own Platters' groups and for a short while, Taylor, Robi, and Lynch joined forces as "The Original Platters" with Williams-clone Johnny Barnes as their lead singer. WebWhy did Zola Taylor leave the Platters? 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