With classics such as "The Great Pretender," "Only You," and their rendition of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes," the Platters were one of the pre-eminent doo-wop groups of the early rock-&-roll era. Under the guidance of manager and producer Buck Ram, the Platters churned out hit after hit, with a unique sound marked by lead singer Tony Williams's powerful vocals and the feminine touch of singer Zola Taylor. The Platters were instrumental in bridging the gap between more traditional vocal-group stylings and the popular R&B grooves of the early 1950s.