Names like Beyoncé and Monica top this year's R&B charts, but in 1955 the Platters held the No. 1 spot.
The musicians are considered to be one of the greatest doo-wop groups of all time. The group had four No. 1 songs and a slew of gold records. And the group members were rewarded for their importance and influence in the genre of R&B with a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
Now with only one original member left, the Platters will perform at 5 p.m. today at Central Parklet, located at the 200 block of South Fraser Street, as part of the Downtown State College Improvement District's Summer Concert Series. "We anticipate this will be the largest of the crowds," said Teresa Sparacino, executive director for the Downtown Improvement District.
The Summer Concert Series has been doing better than expected, Sparacino added.
"Beatlemania drew over 1,000 plus," Sparacino said. "And Jimmy Heath had 200 to 250 in the rain."
"The whole idea for [the Summer Concert Series] was to be a way for the Downtown Improvement District to say thank you to the community for supporting the District," State College Borough Council member Cathy Dauler said. "What's been nice about the concert is they've chosen bands that appeal to a wide audience," she said.
Pastime, an a cappella doo-wop group from Harrisburg, will take the stage first. After being well received during this year's Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, the group expects to warm up another enthusiastic State College crowd.
"We perform music that everyone can enjoy," said Ron Hoerner, tenor singer for Pastime.
Hoerner said the group prides itself on its street corner sound.
"When we were growing up you could hear [doo-wop] being sung at football games or in the bathrooms at school," Hoerner said. "You could always find someone singing a cappella."
And although he said it's something "you had to be there" for, perhaps that feeling will be rekindled tonight.
TEXT BOX:
Who: Pastime and The Platters
When: 5 p.m. today
Where: Central Parklet, 200 block of S. Fraser St
