The Platters serve us up some pure musical bliss

They were the band who gave us the earliest hint of what would come with rock ’n’ roll, and today, The Platters are still spreading the word.

It was in 1954 that the Los Angeles vocal group first got together, and in the years since their hits like Only You and The Great Pretender have become standards.

The line-up has changed many times, of course, but it was only in 2010 that they finally won the legal battle to be the only band of this name, rather than many other not-so-great pretenders.

Now, The Platters are preparing to set out on another UK tour, and today’s band are determined to let yet another new generation hear their stunning songs, and keep this music alive.

“We also have our first album out in half a century,” says Valerie Victoria, who is handling the much-loved female vocals on their classic songs.

“We’re very excited about the recording, and it’s a great adventure.

“It brings you right in a full circle, round to the modern day, and it was done live in front of a studio audience.

“Last year, we opened for the Temptations and Four Tops in the UK, and it was wonderful.

“Leeds was awesome, and we got a great reception there, at the O2 UK fans are wonderful, and the audience in Glasgow just went nuts!”

For younger music fans, what is the definitive sound of The Platters?

“Herb Reed was the bass singer, founder and naming manager, and The Platters were the group who opened up the doors for the Motown acts the first black group to have international fame,” explains Valerie.

“People heard Only You by mistake, when Alan Freed played it at a time when it was all white music, but their success just jumped out.

“Today, there are lots of studio tricks, but we have always rehearsed constantly and performed all the time.

“Before we were in the group, we all spent our time in other bands, learning to do this.

“So we are carrying on the name. Herb was a stickler for harmonies, so we do the songs just as people remembered them, to carry on the memories.

“He was a purist not to be messed with!

“When we go out there nowadays, it’s in Herb’s memory, and we are doing the hits and keeping this music alive, along with a lot of other popular harmony songs and some new material.

“The theme is to educate people about The Platters, and show that it is still relevant today.

“And there is a British element as well as American.

“Great things come from great competition! Our music spans the globe, and this music has a strong British influence, the fashion, the style, the way they pronounced their words.

“We didn’t ever have a psychedelic thing, though.

“We always dressed well, danced and moved together, and it always had a polished edge.”

For full tour dates and ticket sales, go to www.songkick.com/artists/29446-platters.

The album, Back To Basics With The Platters LIVE!, Is out now.