‘The Platters’ are one of the most successful vocal groups of all time. Their 1959 performance on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ was a perfect rendition of their hit ‘Smoke Get in Your Eyes.’
The song starts off quiet and contemplative, with the lead singer Tony Williams standing in front of the other seated members. The four background voices never leave the seats behind him, but they add beautiful harmonies underneath the lead melody.
They are all dressed in tuxedos, and the one female member is wearing a gown. The background is not fancy in this black-and-white footage, and there are just a few trees and a couple of stage walls. However, the Platters captivate with this emotional tune.
“Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” is a show tune written by American composer Jerome Kern and lyricist Otto Harbach for the 1933 musical Roberta. The song had been around for a long time before the Platters scored a number 1 hit with their record in 1959.
The Platters happen to be one of the most successful vocal groups in history. The group had 40 charting singles on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1955 and 1967, including four number-one hits. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
Herb Reed is credited with naming and founding The Platters. Reed named the group after the ‘platter’ that would spin the vinyl records on a phonograph. Their unique name a vocal stylings set them apart from other groups of the same genre.
While the Platters have seen many line-up changes through the years, they kept turning out hit records. The Platters’ songs are some of the most beloved recordings of the 50s and 60s. This clip will transport you back to those glory years!
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