The Platters
Reed was raised in poverty in Kansas City, Missouri and moved to Los Angeles when he was fifteen years old. He moved to the Boston area during the 1970s after the success of The Platters. He was the only member of The Platters who sang on all of the approximately 400 songs recorded by the group. His background vocals can be heard on The Platters' biggest hits, including "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes", "The Great Pretender", "Twilight Time", and "My Prayer". He is the lead vocalist on "Sixteen Tons", "Singin' in the Rain", "In a Little Spanish Town", "Sleepy Time Gal", "Darktown Strutters' Ball", "Blues in the Night", and "On the Top of My Mind".