The Buck Ram Platters

      In 1954 Tony Williams brought three other young singers, Alex Hodge the group's founder (bottom right), David Lynch and Herb Reed, to meet songwriter/talent manager, Buck Ram.  They called the group The Platters.  Ram signed them, added a girl, Zola Taylor, and soon replaced Hodge with Paul Robi.   The rest is music history.

    Tony, David, Paul, Herb and Zola would stay together for six years.  They recorded the bulk of the hits and have become known as the "originals."  Sonny Turner replaced Tony in 1960.  Monroe Powell replaced Sonny in 1970.    

     Jean Bennett was sitting beside Ram when Tony Williams auditioned.  She continues to manage the group and is owner of The Five Platters.