Mr. Reed is the only member of the Platters to record on all of the nearly 400 recordings of the Platters; covering three major configurations of the group. There can be no doubt about the popularity of Mr. Reed and the Platters given the fact that since the change over to Compact Disc technology in the mid 1980’s, over 1100 CD’s featuring the Platters having appeared in the market place with something close to 60% being bootlegs.
Though other members of the original group have left the group over the years; Mr.Reed has managed, performed, and toured as the Platters or Herb Reed and The Platters continuously since he founded the group and coined its name in 1953.
In the 1960's, Paul Robi, one of the group's early members, broke off from the Platters and later claimed to have assigned to his wife, Martha Robi, whatever rights he had to that name. Martha Robi, who never performed with the Platters, then assembled a new group that performed and toured as The Platters, though none of its members were part of the original ensemble. The Ninth Circuit's ruling against Robi and in favor of Mr.Reed creates a precedent that may impact controversies between other original rock & roll performers and "copy cat" groups that use original group names but include no Original members.
Herb Reed founded and named The Platters in 1953, and has been performing ever since. Herb Reed and the Platters is the only group which includes an Original member. | 
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Herb Reed, the founder and naming member of the legendary Platters, expressed his profound sadness today on the passing of fellow original Platter Zola Taylor.“I am saddened by the death of Ms. Taylor whom I have known for a great many years. She was a significant part of the Platters legend. I will always remember her as a true performer and inspiration and will be forever grateful for her contribution to the music industry as an African American woman and a truly talented vocal artist. We travelled the world spreading the joy of song now I leave you with these words that are very familiar to you: When the twilight is gone and no songbirds are singing. When the twilight is gone you come into my heart. And here in my heart you will stay while I pray.”—Herb Reed
Reed is now the only original member of The Platters alive and still performing around the world today.
For further information, please contact Fred Balboni at 978-535-5079 or via cell: 617-610-3661.
Fred Balboni for Herb Reed.
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