Tony Williams (singer)

Samuel E. "Tony" Williams (April 5, 1928 – August 14, 1992)^[1] was the lead singer of the Platters^[2] from 1953 to 1960.^[3] Williams was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and died in New York of emphysema.^[3] He had an older sister, Linda Hayes.

The Platters were discovered and managed by Buck Ram.^[2] On the Mercury record label 45rpm release of the Platters' song, "My Prayer," Williams was listed as Tony Wilson.^{[citation needed]} In a dispute over money, Williams left the Platters to pursue a solo career, and continued to work with Ram.^[4]

Williams was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Platters in 1990. Tony performed with his own version of the Platters, known as the International Platters, featuring his wife Helen Williams. Musical Director William Gulino worked with Tony Williams and the Platters off and on from 1978 to 1992.

Solo discography[edit]

Magic Touch of Tony – Philips PHM-200-051 (mono)/Philips PHS-600-051 (stereo) – 1962
A Girl Is a Girl Is A Girl – Mercury SR-60138 – 1969 (previously Mercury MG 20454 – 1961)
Tony Williams Sings His Greatest Hits – Gold Dust Records Dust 934 (Italy) – 1994
The Voice of The Platters – Vintage Music −2014

Sources[edit]

^ Eagle, Bob; LeBlanc, Eric S. (2013). Blues – A Regional Experience. Santa Barbara: Praeger Publishers. p. 265. ISBN 978-0313344237.
^ ^a ^b Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 5 - Hail, Hail, Rock 'n' Roll: The rock revolution gets underway. [Part 1]" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.
^ ^a ^b Published: August 16, 1992 (1992-08-16). "Tony Williams, 64; Platters' Lead Singer – New York Times". Nytimes.com. Retrieved 2014-01-11.
^ Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 14 – Big Rock Candy Mountain: Rock 'n' roll in the late fifties. [Part 4]" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.

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[bare-1] Eagle, Bob; LeBlanc, Eric S. (2013). Blues – A Regional Experience. Santa Barbara: Praeger Publishers. p. 265. ISBN 978-0313344237.

[pc5-2] Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 5 - Hail, Hail, Rock 'n' Roll: The rock revolution gets underway. [Part 1]" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.

[nytobit-3] Published: August 16, 1992 (1992-08-16). "Tony Williams, 64; Platters' Lead Singer – New York Times". Nytimes.com. Retrieved 2014-01-11.

[pc14-4] Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 14 – Big Rock Candy Mountain: Rock 'n' roll in the late fifties. [Part 4]" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.

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v t e The Platters
Wayne Miller Valerie Victoria Frank Pizarro Cheo Bourne Cornell Gunter Barbara Randolph Herb Reed Zola Taylor Sonny Turner Tony Williams
Singles	"Only You (And You Alone)" "The Great Pretender" "(You've Got) The Magic Touch" "My Prayer" "You'll Never Never Know" "Twilight Time" "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" "Enchanted" "Harbor Lights" "Ebb Tide" "Red Sails in the Sunset" "If I Didn't Care" "I'll Never Smile Again" "It's Magic"

v t e Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – Class of 1990
Performers	Hank Ballard Bobby Darin The Four Seasons Tom DeVito, Bob Gaudio, Nick Massi, Frankie Valli Four Tops Renaldo Benson, Abdul "Duke" Fakir, Lawrence Payton, Levi Stubbs The Kinks Mick Avory, Dave Davies, Ray Davies, Pete Quaife The Platters David Lynch, Herb Reed, Paul Robi, Zola Taylor, Tony Williams Simon & Garfunkel Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon The Who Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, Keith Moon, Pete Townshend
Early influences	Louis Armstrong Charlie Christian Ma Rainey
Non-performers (Ahmet Ertegun Award)	Gerry Goffin and Carole King Holland–Dozier–Holland

Tony Williams (singer)

Solo discography[edit]

Sources[edit]

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