October 20, 2009

Tony Williams: Do You Know Who He Is?

Filed under: Uncategorized — Jim @ 7:14 pm

Tony Williams has been banging around in my cruller all day.

Tony Williams, a Jersey Guy by birth, was the lead singer in the Platters in the fifties and sixties, and, quite simply, it is difficult to find a more gorilla stompin’ voice. He could sing the shit out of a song. Here is one of my faves.

Ready for another?

Here he is singing “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.” Unfortunately, the video cuts off, by milliseconds, the last note in the song, but you get the idea. Tony Williams had some chops. Snoop Dog and Kanye just don’t pack that kind of farookin’ gear.

If you’re still with me, take a listen to Tony Williams singing “Harbor Lights.”

They just don’t make ’em like Tony Williams any more.

8 Comments »

  1. I know all the words to some of their songs…I was about 13 years old and The Platters were on top of the charts. Back seat music?

    You might like this, I do: http://www.spirit76wines.com/r/products/chocovine-chocolate-wine-2004

    Comment by Vicki in GA — October 20, 2009 @ 9:24 pm

  2. Yah. Singers and bands actually had talent in those days. I’m of the age where “The Platters” helped set my taste in music. Them, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Nat Cole, and countless rock and doo-wop groups. Anything after the british invasion pretty much left me cold.

    But then, I’m also partial to music from 1750-1850.

    Thanks for reminding me

    Charlie

    Comment by Charlie — October 20, 2009 @ 9:27 pm

  3. Those vocals will make your socks run up and down your ankles. OOO Lawd!

    Comment by Bill — October 20, 2009 @ 10:45 pm

  4. The Platter`s emanating from the dashboard radio made teenage sexual awakening even better!

    Comment by dudley1 — October 21, 2009 @ 9:15 am

  5. I just downloaded “Harbor Lights” to my i-Pod last week. Always one of my favorites.

    Comment by gregor — October 21, 2009 @ 4:36 pm

  6. I was lucky enough to see what was left of the Coaster,The Drifters and the Platters last year. They just played Myrtle Beach again last week and I missed it. The groups only have one or two original members but the rest are relatives of the original group. It was like an antique convention, oxygen served at the door.

    Comment by james old guy — October 21, 2009 @ 5:27 pm

  7. Fabulous stuff, that.

    My introduction to the Platters was “My Prayer,” and you can’t get a whole lot more dramatic than that.

    “And here in my heart you will stay … while I pray.”

    Comment by CGHill — October 21, 2009 @ 9:52 pm

  8. Jimbo,

    Off topic but music related.
    Tommy Emmanual will be performing in Troy, N.Y, on Feb. 20th, at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. Tickets are very affordable and it is a great accoustical venue.

    Thought you might be interested, and I couldn’t get through to your email.

    We have 2nd row seats! Woot!

    Comment by jw — October 22, 2009 @ 10:28 am

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