Tony Williams of the Platters "Only You" Live - 1989

Once the golden voice of the original Platters, Samuel "Tony" Williams (1928-1992) suffered from emphysema, chronic alcoholism, and the effects of a stroke in his later years. Despite being in poor health, he continued to travel and perform until shortly before his death. Little film footage of Tony in his final years exists and unfortunately the performances are in stark contrast to the stirring recordings he made 30 years earlier. This performance of the group's first national hit, "Only You (and You Alone)", was shot by a fan at a Seaside Heights, New Jersey club appearance in late August of 1989 and is better than most. Of the vocal lineup here: Tony, his wife, Helen (1918-2005), her son, Nathaniel "Ricky" Shadd, and bass Bob Rivers are now deceased. Second tenor Ted E. Fame (Teddy Williams-no relation) is the lone survivor. This video is presented for historical purposes only.