Tony Williams (singer)
Encyclopedia
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
.
His sister, R&B
singer Linda Hayes
, was instrumental in Williams becoming a member of the Platters. On the Mercury
record label
45rpm
release of the Platters' song
, "My Prayer", Williams was listed as 'Tony Wilson'. He was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
as a member of the Platters in 1990 and the Hit Parade Hall of Fame in 2009.
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...
from 1953 to 1960. Williams was born in Elizabeth
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, and died in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
of emphysema
Emphysema
Emphysema is a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs that primarily causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the tissues necessary to support the physical shape and function of the lungs are destroyed. It is included in a group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary...
.
His sister, R&B
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
singer Linda Hayes
Linda Hayes (singer)
Linda Hayes is an American jazz, and R&B singer.Sister of The Platters' lead singer, Tony Williams, in the early 1950s she recorded two singles backed by the Red Callender Sextet, with Callender on , Maxwell Davis , Floyd Turnham , Chico Hamilton and Monroe Tucker...
, was instrumental in Williams becoming a member of the Platters. On the Mercury
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
45rpm
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
release of the Platters' song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
, "My Prayer", Williams was listed as 'Tony Wilson'. He was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
as a member of the Platters in 1990 and the Hit Parade Hall of Fame in 2009.
Solo discography
- Magic Touch of Tony - Philips PHS-600-051 - 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