Sonny Turner
Encyclopedia
Sonny Turner is an American singer best known for replacing Tony Williams
as lead singer of The Platters
.
Prior to his work with The Platters, Turner was the lead singer of a local vocal group called "The Metrotones". While performing in a local club in Cleveland as the opening act for Redd Foxx
, Sonny was approached by local DJ Bill Crane and asked if he would be interested in auditioning for "The Platters", as their lead singer as Tony Williams
was soon to be leaving the group. Turner was chosen out of 100 hopeful auditioners to replace Williams as the new lead singer of The Platters in late 1959. Turner, whose friend and mentor was Jackie Wilson
, breathed new life into The Platters with three hit singles; I Love You 1000 Times in 1966, With This Ring in 1967 and Washed Ashore in 1968. He also recorded many of The Platters hits of the 1950s and it is Turner's vocals that are heard on the soundtracks for films such as The Nutty Professor 2 and Hearts in Atlantis
.
The Platters: A Biography from enotes.com
History of Rock: The Platters
Tony Williams (singer)
Tony Williams was the lead singer of the Platters from 1953 to 1960. Williams was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and died in New York of emphysema....
as lead singer of The Platters
The Platters
The Platters were a vocal group of the early rock and roll era. Their distinctive sound was a bridge between the pre-rock Tin Pan Alley tradition and the burgeoning new genre...
.
Prior to his work with The Platters, Turner was the lead singer of a local vocal group called "The Metrotones". While performing in a local club in Cleveland as the opening act for Redd Foxx
Redd Foxx
John Elroy Sanford , better known by his stage name Redd Foxx, was an American comedian and actor, best known for his starring role on the sitcom Sanford and Son.-Early life:...
, Sonny was approached by local DJ Bill Crane and asked if he would be interested in auditioning for "The Platters", as their lead singer as Tony Williams
Tony Williams (singer)
Tony Williams was the lead singer of the Platters from 1953 to 1960. Williams was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and died in New York of emphysema....
was soon to be leaving the group. Turner was chosen out of 100 hopeful auditioners to replace Williams as the new lead singer of The Platters in late 1959. Turner, whose friend and mentor was Jackie Wilson
Jackie Wilson
Jack Leroy "Jackie" Wilson, Jr. was an American singer and performer. Known as "Mr. Excitement", Wilson was important in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. He was known as a master showman, and as one of the most dynamic singers and performers in R&B and rock history...
, breathed new life into The Platters with three hit singles; I Love You 1000 Times in 1966, With This Ring in 1967 and Washed Ashore in 1968. He also recorded many of The Platters hits of the 1950s and it is Turner's vocals that are heard on the soundtracks for films such as The Nutty Professor 2 and Hearts in Atlantis
Hearts in Atlantis
Hearts in Atlantis is a collection of two novellas and three short stories by Stephen King, all connected to one another by recurring characters and taking place in roughly chronological order....
.