Herb Reed Of The Platters Dead At 83

Herb Reed of the 1950's group the Platters is dead at the age of 83. Two of the Platters' recordings, "The Great Pretender" and "Only You (And You Alone)" are in the Grammy Hall of Fame, which honors recordings of lasting significance.

Reed's manager said the singer died in Boston on Monday after a period of declining health that included chronic heart disease. Reed had lived in the Boston area for many years, most recently Arlington, Massachusetts.

The Platters, the most popular black singing group of their time, were formed as harmonizing street singers in Los Angeles in 1953 by Reed - who is credited with coming up with the group's name - and four others.

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