Shefik presents Invocation: The Journey Continues

Sonny Turner: The Important Thing Is to Be Identified for One's Ability

Episode Summary

Identity - Sonny Turner is best known for replacing Tony Williams as lead singer of The Platters. The group had 40 charting singles on the Billboard Hot 100, including four no. 1 hits, and were, for a period of time, the most successful vocal group in the world. (Producer: Shefik)

Episode Notes

Identity - Sonny Turner is best known for replacing Tony Williams as lead singer of The Platters. The group had 40 charting singles on the Billboard Hot 100, including four no. 1 hits, and were, for a period of time, the most successful vocal group in the world. (Producer: Shefik)

Episode Transcription

Sonny Turner here, leader signer of The Platters. Talkin' about time of identity. You know, I joined The Platters and they accepted me. The moreover the important thing is to be identified for one's ability on one's own. Long story short, when I was accepted by The Platters, demographics, The Platters' fans, after stepping into the shoes of Tony Williams, was a great lead singer, one of the great lead singers of all time. When I was accepted, after working with The Platters, appearing with The Platters, performing, and being accepted by The Platters' audience and that one of the dreams come true for any performer. Be accepted, have its own identity, you know, I was singing the songs that Tony recorded and I thought that was wonderful. But even more wonderful for me as to record my first hit record with The Platters, I Love You 1,000 Times. With this rain followed, a song called "Washed Ashore," it's some beach music. And four other albums. Identity, it was all me, all Sonny Turner. And that's what I really feel that has been the blessing and the gift to me is to be accepted from my own, for my own identity with one of the world's greatest singing groups, The Platters. And I feel great about it up 'til this day. I am still having the respect of people recognizing me for my accomplishment and for my identity.