FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 27, 2002
CONTACT: Leland Stein, Regent Theatre, 781-643-4488, lstein@regenttheatre.com

ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME MEMBERS HERB REED & THE PLATTERS TO PERFORM AT ARLINGTON’S REGENT THEATRE SATURDAY, SEPT. 14 AT 8PM


The legendary Herb Reed and The Platters, one of popular music’s most enduring and beloved acts, will be performing at Arlington’s historic Regent Theatre on Saturday, September 14 at 8pm. A longtime resident of Arlington, Reed will be appearing on stage for the first time in his hometown.

Now in their 50th year, The Platters are famous throughout the world with over 400 recorded songs and 80 million records sold including such all-time hits as “Only You,” “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes,” “The Great Pretender,” “Twilight Time,” and “The Magic Touch,” to name just a few. In the 1950s, Reed’s warm, distinctive vocals propelled these songs to the top of the charts and to bona fide classic status in the decades since.

Herb Reed and The Platters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998. Throughout their career, The Platters have performed on countless TV variety shows and in over 25 films including Rock Around The Clock and The Girl Can’t Help It.

Many copycat acts have co-opted the group’s name over the years creating much confusion with fans and the media. But in 1997 after a lengthy legal battle in Federal Court, Reed, the only original surviving member of the group, was granted the exclusive right to “The Platters” trademark, and to perform in public under The Platters name.

Herb Reed and The Platters will be performing at Arlington’s historic Regent Theatre for one show only on Saturday, September 14 at 8pm. Nearly a century old, The Regent Theatre, in the heart of Arlington, was purchased last year by real estate developer and musician Gary Adelson who has begun an extensive renovation and restoration, including the recent installation of a brand-new sound system and new seating. Many other changes are planned including the complete unveiling and preservation of the gold-leafed proscenium. The 500-seat centrally located theatre offers plenty of free parking across the street and is accessible on the MBTA (buses #77, #79, #350, #80, #87). In the fall of 2002, the theatre will feature a diverse program of concerts, art and classic films, community-based events, and a variety of children and family performance. The Herb Reed and The Platters show will be the first of many concerts at the Regent in the coming months. Among those scheduled to appear at the theatre September through November are sax legend Big Jay McNeely, Chris Smither, Guy Clark, Beatle Juice, Dan Bern, Vance Gilbert, and Deborah Henson-Conant. The Regent Theatre is wheelchair accessible and is located at 7 Medford Street in the center of Arlington, just a few short miles from Cambridge and Boston. For tickets and information, call (781) 646-4TIX (4849), or visit the website at http://www.regenttheatre.com/.