Sonny Turner (born September 24, 1939 in Fairmont, West
Virginia) is an American singer best known for replacing Tony Williams as lead
singer of The Platters.
Charles Arnold “Sonny” Turner was born on September 24,
1939 in Fairmount, West Virginia. Turner’s mother, Pearl, was a gospel singer
and his father Carl, was a boxer. In 1949, Turner moved to Cleveland, Ohio,
where he attended Case Woodland Elementary School and graduated from East
Technical High School.
Turner began his entertainment career in the mid-1950s by
performing with a local R&B group named the Metrotones, The group performed
at high school assemblies and local amateur vocal contests. They also opened up
for The Five Keys, The Moonglows, The Flamingos, and Buddy Johnson. The
Metrotones broke up when Andy Forester and James Fryerson were drafted into the
United States Army. Turner then performed as a solo artist and master of
ceremonies inside of local lounges and bars. He served as the opening act at
the Chatter Box in a musical show that featured Billie Holiday and Arthur
Pricesock.
While performing in a local club in Cleveland as the
opening act for Redd Foxx, Turner 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 in late 1959. Sonny at the young
age of 19, toured the world with “The Platters” bringing their music to people
of all nations.
Sonny brought The Platters back to the pop charts in the
1960’s with such hits as “I Love You 1000 Times”, “With This Ring” and “Washed
Ashore”; as well as re-recording major Platters hits like “Only You”, “The
Great Pretender” and “The Magic Touch.” You
can hear Sonny’s voice in various
movies such as “The Nutty Professor II” starring Eddie Murphy, “Hearts in
Atlantis” starring Anthony Hopkins, and “Prince of the City” starring Robert
DeNiro.
There is only one surviving member of The Platters still
alive today that can be heard on the hundreds of recordings and hit records
that made The Platters one of the most successful vocal groups of all time, and
that is Sonny Turner. Sonny remained with The Platters from late 1959 until
1970 when he left to pursue a solo career.
In 2005, Mr. Turner received The Lifetime Excellence in
Entertainment presented to him by consumer’s entertainment exchange and Doo Wop
Hall of Fame.
In 2009 at Wildwood New Jersey, Sonny Turner was inducted
to the Pacific Avenue of the Stars and in 2008 received The Gateway Classic
Lifetime Achievement Award. He received the Black Music Award in 2007. Also
Sonny has been inducted into the Beach Music Hall of Fame and Vocal Group Hall
of Fame. He is recognized by the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in his home town
Cleveland, Ohio. Sonny was instrumental in getting the truth in music laws
passed in the state of Nevada and North Dakota.
In 2013, Sonny’s home state, The State of West Virginia
and Senator A James Manchin, honored Sonny with a plaque, and enducted him into
the Hall of Fame.
Today Sonny resides in Las Vegas with his wife and
manager, Lois. Most of his performing time is spent in Las Vegas, Reno, and
Lake Tahoe. (Info edited from Wikipedia, the historymakers.com &
sonnyturner.com)
1 comment:
For “The Platters - The Musicor Years (2006)” go here:
http://www89.zippyshare.com/v/LcWZAKkD/file.html
1. With This Ring (2:42)
2. I Love You 1,000 Times (2:45)
3. I Cant Get Used To Sharing You (2:25)
4. Dont Hear, Speak, See No Evil (2:27)
5. Washed Ashore (On A Lonely Island In The Sea) (2:50)
6. Doesnt It Ring A Bell (2:06)
7. Devri (1:57)
8. Why Do You Wanna Make Me Blue (2:28)
9. Think Before You Walk Away (2:37)
10. So Many Years (2:50)
11. Alone In The Night (3:00)
12. How Beautiful Our Love Is (2:40)
13. Hard To Get A Thing Called Love (2:26)
14. Sweet, Sweet Lovin (1:54)
15. Going Back To Detroit (2:32)
16. Run While Its Dark (2:14)
17. Fear Of Losing You (2:39)
18. Not My Girl (2:33)
19. Get A Hold Of Yourself (2:43)
20. Shing-A-Ling-A-Loo (2:06)
21. Baby, Baby (2:06)
22. Love Must Go On (2:09)
23. Ill Be Home (2:55)
24. If I Had A Love (3:52)
25. What Name Shall I Give You My Love (2:39)
26. (Youve Got) The Magic Touch (2:42)
27. Sonata (2:26)
28. Why (3:15)
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