Celebrate The Platters

Norris Vines hails from Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA. At the age of 17, he led a Norfolk-based group in which he sang, wrote songs and produced in studio. The group was called "Church Street Five". Many of their songs attracted recording companies who, as was the custom in that era, utilized various "name" lead singers including Gary U.S. Bond "Quarter to Three" and Jimmy Soul "If You Want to be Happy for the Rest of Your Life" , among others. Norris made significant contribution to the legacy we have today in R&B, which were handed down from the golden age. In the 60's, after Sonny Turner left the group, they hired Norris into the group. Norris joined and toured with the world famous "Platters" following their lengthy string of hits. Norris moved to Angus, Ontario, Canada when he was still with "The Platters". For a time he commuted to Los Angeles. It was a long commute, "from Los Angeles to Los Angus." Like many commuters, Norris decided the trip was not worth the effort and that working closer to home is more enjoyable. He soon quit the group for artistic reasons. The Platters name was owned by one man who paid the performers a salary. "We were stuck every night singing the same songs, even though these songs were recorded in '53. I wasn't there in '53. Every time they'd get a new record, it was the same songs with new group doing it." By the time Norris joined the group, there had been two changes in the original group. That experience led to Norris to establishing his "Power Play Show" that toured Atlantic City, Las Vegas and Canada for many years. He also performed throughout Europe, the Philippines, Japan and several Cruise Lines. Once the show begins, Norris puts his heart and soul into giving the audience a show they will never forget. Norris" felt that since the last founding member, Herb Reed passed away; it was time to "Celebrate The Platters" and keeps the legacy of "The Platters" music going.