THE PLATTERS - PRINTED PHOTOGRAPH SIGNED IN INK CO-SIGNED BY: THE PLATTERS (MONROE POWELL), THE PLATTERS (RAY MANSON), THE PLATTERS (MARCIA RAQUEL ROBINSON), THE PLATTERS (SHERMAN RAY), THE PLATTERS (DONNY RAY EVINS) - HFSID 199707

THE PLATTERS: DONNY RAY EVINS, SHERMAN RAY, MONROE POWELL, RAY MANSON and MARCIA RAQUEL ROBINSON
Signed b/w photo of the Platters, with Donny Ray Evans, Sherman Ray, Monroe Powell and Ray Manson in white tuxes and Marcia Robinson in a white evening dress
Printed photograph signed in ink: "Donny Ray Evins", "Sherman Ray", "Monroe Powell" and "Ray Manson" in black ink and "Marcia/Raquel" in blue ink. B/w, 9¾x7¾ overall, 9¼x6½ image, one surface. Photo from Personality Productions in Las Vegas, Nevada. Captioned: "The Platters ®". There are an estimated 125 sanctioned versions of "the original Platters" on the oldies show circuit. This is a signed photograph of one of those groups. The Platters formed in Los Angeles, California in 1953, with original members Tony Williams (lead singer), Herb Reed (bass), David Lynch (tenor), Alex Hodge and Zola Taylor. There wasn't much to differentiate them from other rhythm and blues groups until Samuel "Buck" Ram took over management of the group. Ram - who also worked with the Penguins, of Earth Angel fame - restructured the group and turned the Platters into a hit machine and one of the most romantic doo wop acts going. They released numerous Top 20 hits on the Billboard Pop Singles charts and five chart toppers: Only You (1955), My Prayer (1956), The Great Pretender (1958), Twilight Time (1958) and Smoke Gets in your Eyes (1959). The Platters continue to tour under numerous personnel changes. DONNY RAY EVINS was a member of the group The Platters for two years where he served as their bass singer and Master of Ceremony. After that he began a career impersonating Nat King Cole in the show "Legends in Concert" in Las Vegas. Evins later performed on cruise ships and in his own show "Unforgettable". SHERMAN RAY was a member of the group from 1984-1987. MONROE POWELL was one of the longest running members of The Platters. He went on to form his own band which he also called The Platters, but after a legal battle with the owner of the estate, Jean Bennett, it was agreed that he would rename the group The Platters featuring Monroe Powell. His show ran at the Sahara casino for 15 years. RAY MANSON played for The Platters from 1985 to 1988. MARCIA RAQUEL ROBINSON is a dancer, singer and performer. She had parts in “Jubilee” and “Hallelujah Hollywood” as well as being a singer in the group The Platters from 1984 to 1987. She now works as a teaching artist for The Smith Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lightly creased and bowed. Otherwise, fine condition.