Eddie Platt
Encyclopedia
Eddie Platt was an American saxophonist
.
Platakis born in Cleveland, Ohio
. He was raised in Rossford, Ohio
. He began playing in a band there at age 16 and used the stage name
Platt starting in high school
(including at his graduation
). He played gigs in Rossford and Cleveland until World War II
, when he served in the Army
and Air Force. After the war he played in strip club
s with the Johnny Pecon Band.
In 1957, he began playing the Hotel Manager in Cleveland, a gig he would keep until 1967. While there, he recorded his first single for Epic Records
, "Rock 'Em" b/w "Chinese Lullaby". His next single was a cover
of The Champs
' song "Tequila
", which climbed to #20 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
in 1958. He also covered The Pets' hit "Chua-Hua-Hua", which in the 1990s was featured on the soundtrack to The Iron Giant
.
Following the success of "Tequila", Platt appeared on Perry Como
and Dick Clark's television shows, performing live where most acts lip synched. He remained in Cleveland to play shows but backed national acts when they toured there, including Pat Boone
, Elvis Presley
, Bobby Darin
, The Everly Brothers
, and The Brothers Four
. He self-released a vinyl LP, Dance One, selling about 3,500 copies. The tune "Festival" from the album is the theme song of the Ohio All Nations Festival.
Platt died in Akron, Ohio, on October 3, 2010.
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
.
Platakis born in Cleveland, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. He was raised in Rossford, Ohio
Rossford, Ohio
Rossford is a city in Wood County, Ohio, United States, along the Maumee River. The population was 6,406 at the 2000 census. The town includes the intersection of Interstate 75 and the Ohio Turnpike.- History :...
. He began playing in a band there at age 16 and used the stage name
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Platt starting in high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
(including at his graduation
Graduation
Graduation is the action of receiving or conferring an academic degree or the ceremony that is sometimes associated, where students become Graduates. Before the graduation, candidates are referred to as Graduands. The date of graduation is often called degree day. The graduation itself is also...
). He played gigs in Rossford and Cleveland until World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, when he served in the Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and Air Force. After the war he played in strip club
Strip club
A strip club is an adult entertainment venue in which striptease or other erotic or exotic dance is regularly performed. Strip clubs typically adopt a nightclub or bar style, but can also adopt a theatre or cabaret-style....
s with the Johnny Pecon Band.
In 1957, he began playing the Hotel Manager in Cleveland, a gig he would keep until 1967. While there, he recorded his first single for Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
, "Rock 'Em" b/w "Chinese Lullaby". His next single was a cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of The Champs
The Champs
The Champs were an American rock and roll band, most famous for their Latin-tinged instrumental "Tequila". Formed by studio executives at Gene Autry's Challenge Records to record a B-Side for the Dave Burgess single, the intended throwaway track became more famous than its A-Side, "Train to...
' song "Tequila
Tequila (song)
"Tequila" is a 1958 Latin-flavored rock and roll song recorded by the group, the Champs. The title of the song constitutes the entirety of the lyrics, and is spoken a total of three times during the course of the song. "Tequila" became a #1 hit on both the pop and R&B charts at the time of its...
", which climbed to #20 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in 1958. He also covered The Pets' hit "Chua-Hua-Hua", which in the 1990s was featured on the soundtrack to The Iron Giant
The Iron Giant
The Iron Giant is a 1999 animated film produced by Warner Bros. Animation, based on the 1968 novel The Iron Man by Ted Hughes. Brad Bird directed the film, which stars a voice cast of Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick, Jr., Vin Diesel, Eli Marienthal, Christopher McDonald and John Mahoney...
.
Following the success of "Tequila", Platt appeared on Perry Como
Perry Como
Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como was an American singer and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with them in 1943. "Mr...
and Dick Clark's television shows, performing live where most acts lip synched. He remained in Cleveland to play shows but backed national acts when they toured there, including Pat Boone
Pat Boone
Charles Eugene "Pat" Boone is an American singer, actor and writer who has been a successful pop singer in the United States during the 1950s and early 1960s. He covered black artists' songs and sold more copies than his black counterparts...
, Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
, Bobby Darin
Bobby Darin
Bobby Darin , born Walden Robert Cassotto, was an American singer, actor and musician.Darin performed in a range of music genres, including pop, rock, jazz, folk and country...
, The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers are country-influenced rock and roll performers, known for steel-string guitar playing and close harmony singing...
, and The Brothers Four
The Brothers Four
The Brothers Four are an American folk singing group, founded in 1957 in Seattle, Washington, known for their 1960 hit song "Greenfields".-History:...
. He self-released a vinyl LP, Dance One, selling about 3,500 copies. The tune "Festival" from the album is the theme song of the Ohio All Nations Festival.
Platt died in Akron, Ohio, on October 3, 2010.