The Platters Very Merry Christmas

The Platters were founded in 1952-53 by Herb Reed, who remained the only member to perform with the group continuously through his death in 2012. They were among the first Black vocal groups to achieve global fame, and Reed was involved from the very start—he named the group, contributed to its recordings, and maintained its continuity over decades.

The group’s early development included performances with original members such as Alex Hodge, Joe Jefferson, and Cornell Gunter. They were joined by other artists over the years (including Tony Williams, Zola Taylor, Paul Robi, and David Lynch), and saw their first major break when Buck Ram, who became their manager and producer, helped them with the song “Only You (and You Alone).” That song, along with others like “The Great Pretender,” “Twilight Time,” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” helped cement their status on international music charts. 

The Platters faced significant challenges, including racism and legal issues. For example, in 1959 some members were arrested under Ohio’s segregation laws; though they were later acquitted, the incident led to personal changes in the group’s lineup and a relocation to Europe. Later, as Reed managed the group under his own enterprise (supported by Frederick J. Balboni Jr.), many impostor groups claiming the name “The Platters” emerged. After years of legal battles, Herb Reed was confirmed as having the sole legal right to the name.

Today The Platters continue to have cultural relevance. Their music is still licensed for film, television, ads, and other media, and classics like “Twilight Time” appear in modern shows such as WandaVision. Their songs remain popularly streamed (Spotify streams exceed three million per month), and the group is managed by Herb Reed Enterprises under the stewardship of Frederick J. Balboni Jr.