Platters Founder Herb Reed Dies At 83

BOSTON -- Herb Reed, the last surviving original member of the 1950s vocal group the Platters, has died. The group's hits like "Only You" propelled them to stardom.

His manager says Reed died Monday in a Boston area hospice after a period of declining health. He was 83.

Reed was a Kansas City, Mo., native who founded the Platters in Los Angeles in 1953. Reed sang bass on the group's four No. 1 hits, including "The Great Pretender," "My Prayer," "Twilight Time" and "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes."

Reed was the only member of the group to appear on all of their nearly 400 recordings. He continued touring, performing up to 200 shows per year, until last year.

The Platters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.