Herb Reed

Common card · No. 450001

Herbert Reed (August 7, 1928 – June 4, 2012) was an American musician, vocalist, and founding/naming member of The Platters, known for songs such as "Only You (and You Alone)" and "The Great Pretender". Reed was the last surviving original member of the group, which he co-founded with Joe Jefferson, Alex Hodge, and Cornell Gunter (who later founded The Coasters). Reed is credited with creating The Platters' name. Reed thought of the group's name after noticing that DJs in the 1950s called their records "platters". Reed was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 as a member of the Platters. Reed was raised in poverty in Kansas City, Missouri and moved to Los Angeles when he was fifteen years old. He moved to the Boston area during the 1970s after the success of The Platters. He was the only member of The Platters who sang on all of the approximately 400 songs recorded by the group. His background bass vocals can be heard on The Platters' biggest hits, including "Smoke Gets...

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