1955
ONLY YOU * THE PLATTERS * MERCURY * G
Like many other groups from the early 1950s the story of The Platters is a complex one that is compounded because of the groups immense popularity. The group was developed around the voice of lead singer Tony Williams, by Buck Ram (great name) an ex musical arranger for big bands like: Basie, Ellington, Dorsy, Calloway and Miller, who had a degree in law and had also studded music at university. The group, a quartet, already existed before Buck Ram decided to work with them, and on them, in 1953, after a couple of changes in the line up, Ram secured them a deal with Federal records, the group at this time consisted of Tony Williams, David Lynch, Alex Hodge and Herb Reed. At the first session with Federal the group cut several sides one of which was the now legendary Only You. Syd Nathan of Federal records didn't like the song and refused to issue it, it wasn't till the group signed with Mercury and re-recorded the song that it was eventually released, even that was touch and go as Buck Ram had to play piano on the session to get it onto wax. The record was released in November 1955, six months latter it hit the No.1 R&B and No. 5 Pop charts, and the rest is history. It was originally issued Mercury 70633 backed with Bark, Battle and Ball; to cash in Syd Nathen also rushed his long forgotten recording out on Federal 12244.
Only You was originally released in the Us on the pink labeled Mercury #70633X45, in June 1955, backed with the Rocking Bark Battle and Ball. It was soon switched to a black label pressing, It was first issued in the UK August 1956 as a 78 RPM only, on Mercury MT 117, on the B side of The Great Pretender. The first release at 45 RPM came in October on the Mercury EP The Fabulous Platters, it wasn't until 1962 that it was released as a single play 45 RPM, on Ember JBS 701. The first Mercury release as a 45 single came in 1972, again as a B side! (see below). After which it was released no less than four time in the 1970s, on Contempo Raries, Pye International, Mercury (again), and Psycho.
ONLY YOU (AND YOU ALONE) * THE PLATTERS * MERCURY 6052 213 * UK
See also: The Great Pretender