Rhythm and Blues Singer. He was a bass singer and founding member of the music ensemble "The Platters." Deriving from a reference made by a disc jockey who called records "platters," Reed put together the group's first lineup in 1953 and by the end of that year they secured a recording contract with the Federal label. "Only You" was recorded, however was not immediately successful and The Platters went onto support The Penguins on tours. In 1955, manager Buck Ram was able to broker a deal with Mercury Records and what followed was a more-than-decade period of commercial success, beginning with "Only You" (1955), "The Great Pretender" (1955, peaking at number one), "The Magic Touch" (1956), "My Prayer" (1956, reaching number one), "Twilight Time" (1958) and "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" (1958) both reaching number one status respectively. Reed remained as a performer as the group's lineup changed through the years and he holds the distinction for lending his vocal talents to all of their roughly 400 recordings. Along with the rest of The Platters, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. He died of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Rhythm and Blues Singer. He was a bass singer and founding member of the music ensemble "The Platters." Deriving from a reference made by a disc jockey who called records "platters," Reed put together the group's first lineup in 1953 and by the end of that year they secured a recording contract with the Federal label. "Only You" was recorded, however was not immediately successful and The Platters went onto support The Penguins on tours. In 1955, manager Buck Ram was able to broker a deal with Mercury Records and what followed was a more-than-decade period of commercial success, beginning with "Only You" (1955), "The Great Pretender" (1955, peaking at number one), "The Magic Touch" (1956), "My Prayer" (1956, reaching number one), "Twilight Time" (1958) and "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" (1958) both reaching number one status respectively. Reed remained as a performer as the group's lineup changed through the years and he holds the distinction for lending his vocal talents to all of their roughly 400 recordings. Along with the rest of The Platters, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. He died of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Bio by: C.S.
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