People are always wondering what's it's like to be in the shoes of a legendary performer and if you are anything like me, you want to ask them what is takes to maintain and develop a long and successful music career.
By Chris Battiston
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I was so excited to run into Herb Reed on a Caribbean cruise vaction this spring. Having been familar with The Platters since I was a kid growing up playing "My Girl" on the piano, I wanted to start asking him a million questions about what it's like to be famous and the benefits and downfalls of trying to succeed in the music industry. By the time, I mentioned that I was an inspiring Canadian artist from Vancouver Island and wanted his opinion on the way I was promoting The Perish his attention was caught on how eager I seemed for advice.
Herb Reed is really down to earth and I think he really likes all the attention of being a celebrity. At one point in our conversation sitting on the steps people politely waved and talked to him briefly about how they enjoyed the show and asked where it would be next. It was pretty exciting to sit with him and let him toy with his fans for awhile.
I watched as Reed posed for a few pictures and saw the incredible amount of respect that people presented as they talked to him as if not to ask the wrong questions that might upset him. An older man in his 60's stopped to comment on how much he remembered the earlier days of The Platters on all of his dates dancing and getting close with the ladies. The two men chuckled for a moment and shook hands.
Other
fans stopped and Reed was in the spotlight again making friends
and discussing the old days and what concert venues were still
around and what they remembered of the earlier shows. Reed seemed
to be buzzing with joy to hear the fans responses.
As I looked at the clock, we all realized that we were talking for over two hours. It was a great night and I thanked Reed for his time and he welcomed me to come and sit with the crew at an autograph session the next day. That night as I repeated the advice gave me over and over in my head.
"You can have a successful single that takes you to the top but don't think that you don't have to have another job to pay the bills because it takes nothing but hard work and money."
The next evening at 8 pm, I looked for the table and I found Reed sitting having a beer and I thanked him again for talking with me as he introduced me to the The Platters. One member comically mentioned to Reed that he still got all the ladies. I laughed inside pretending not to hear !
The Platters are one of the world's classiest performances, and after all these successful years they all deserve recognition for the work they've done to make it happen.
From top: Christine, Rita and Kathryn Battiston with Herb Reed 2002
Christine
Battiston is an emerging talented new performer from Sooke,
Vancouver Island. She is currently working on the promotion of
her band The Perish and is reaching for success as Canada's
hottest new artists. The Perish delivers an exciting and new
style to the stage with well written compositions, multi-instrument
switching and attitude. Watch for news on when the next
appearance is.
For comment or information contact theperish2001@yahoo.ca
Copyright by C.Batiston/June 9 2002
Photos by R.Battiston /Voyger of the Sea Cruise 2002