Did Elvis Presley record with The Platters?
Written by admin on May 26, 2011 – 10:14 pm - |
Intriguing evidence has come to light suggesting that Elvis Presley recorded with the legendary vocal group The Platters.
At a recent shareholders’ meeting of ValCom, Inc, it was stated that the company’s extensive audio and video library contains “13 master recordings of Elvis Presley with The Platters.” The presentation was given by representatives from DOS Broadcast and Appraisal Services, who have independently appraised ValCom’s libraries. |
So, what are the 13 songs? The audio library document prepared by DOS Broadcast and Appraisal Services cites that the following titles feature “The Platters with Elvis Presley”:
- Little Things Mean A Lot
- Love Me Tender
- Volare
- The Twist
- Don’t Be Cruel
- Anniversary
- The Great Pretender
- Tammy
- Song From Moulin Rouge
- Rock Around The Clock
- Exodus
- Mack The Knife
- Theme From Summer Place.
In each case the source is listed as Buck Ram Studio and the “Type Record” is listed as “Studio Tape.” Buck Ram was The Platters’ mentor and principal songwriter, responsible for titles such as “The Great Pretender” and “Only You.”
Keen eyed readers might notice that the tracks in the list are the same titles as included on The Platters’ mid-’60s album “The 10th Anniversary Album.” Does this mean that Elvis appeared on that album? Senior appraiser from DOS Broadcast and Appraisal Services, Dale O. Smith, told Classic Pop Icons:
| “DOS has reviewed the Tapes in possession of Valcom and can confirm from both Physical Evidence such as the engineers name and notes that what was represented in the appraisal is in fact true. Elvis was an unnamed background singer on the 10th Anniversary Album. There is also quite a bit of anecdotal and verbal historical evidence from those involved that has been a well-kept secret for almost 35 years.” |
| “I can also tell you that the tape was listened to this week and when the tracks were separated it was very clearly Elvis’ voice as a background vocal.” |
Elvis’ career has been scrutinised so closely that many will find it difficult to believe that this could have been missed for so long, but the appraisal has certainly been made in good faith. We do know that Elvis was an admirer of vocal groups in general and The Platters specifically, even including their hit “Only You” in his early stage repertoire. Could it be that Elvis joined in the session but chose not to be credited at the time in order to avoid contractual issues with the record companies?
The “10th Anniversay Album” is quite an obscure title and long out of print. You can bet that the songs will be heard again if Elvis is indeed on the recordings.
Tags: Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley and The Platters, The Platters
Posted in Elvis |
2 Comments to “Did Elvis Presley record with The Platters?”
May 27th, 2011 at 9:24 am
First this LP is not so rare, I bought a copy in excellent condition for 50 cents just 2 months ago.
Secondly, having been an Elvis fan for 50+ years, I do not hear anything Elvis on this LP.
Once again Elvis’ name is mis-used to gain publicity.
December 4th, 2013 at 3:42 am
I remember the first time I heard Only You done by Travis Tritt. I heard Elvis singing it in my head. I won a trivia contest on the radio station with his name of one of 5 who recorded it. I know he did it. I’ve been looking high and low thru websites for yrs looking for it.