People we say goodbye to in 2022

They are R&B royalty, and now one of the last links to the heyday of The Platters has passed. The Las Vegas Review-Journal has reported the death of the group’s former lead singer, Sonny Turner, at age 83.

The Platters were among the top vocal groups of the 1950s, with a string of immense hits such as “Only You,” “The Great Pretender” and “My Prayer.” But the quartet’s fortunes seemed to be fading by 1960, when lead singer Tony Williams left the group for a solo career.

A national search for his replacement began, with over 100 applicants. Sonny Turner won over the group and was chosen as the new lead, and the choice turned out to be prescient. Turner, who had been the lead singer for the Metrotones, he hit the ground running with the group, delivering the empassioned lead vocals on a number of 1960s hits that extended the longevity of the legendary act, including “With This Ring” and “I Love You 1000 Times.”

By 1970, internal struggles in the group led Turner to leave, but he continued to perform both as a solo act and with his own version of The Platters for several decades after the split. For many, Turner became the last link to the hitmaking days of The Platters, and his passing will have us reflecting on the long and storied career of this legendary act. Rest in peace.

On Friday, Frazier died at a rehabilitation facility in Gallatin, Tennessee, according to the New York Times.

His death was confirmed to the outlet by his daughter, Melody Morris, who said that her father had suffered two strokes since August.

Back in 2018, Frazier spoke to journalist Tom Roland about songwriting and how there is a special element to the craft that can "make or break" a song.

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"I've noticed this all my life in writing songs, there's a thing called feel, and it's magic when you get ahold of it," he said, according to Billboard. "It can make or break a record. You can have a great song and all, but if it doesn't have that feel, it just doesn't do anything."

"'Elvira' had the feel. And The Oaks, what a tremendous cut. With Richard Sterban doing his thing on it and the horns just making it first-class … it had so much magic in it, it'd just raise the hair on your arms," he added.

In a statement after his death, Kyle Young, the CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, told Billboard: "Dallas Frazier is among the greatest country songwriters of all time."

"He was a man of kindness, generosity, and faith, who overcame a hardscrabble upbringing to offer smiling gifts to all of us," Young added. "He lived a beautiful life of a beautiful mind."

Bob Goalby, who won 11 PGA Tour titles, including the 1968 Masters, and was a pioneer in the formation of the PGA Tour Champions, has died at age 92 in Belleville, Illinois.

Goalby was born in Belleville, on March 14, 1929. At age 8, Goalby, the son of a coal miner, crossed the railroad tracks between his home and St. Clair Country Club a mere 50 yards away. He won the caddie championship at the age of 13 and became good enough to shoot par by the time he started his freshman year at Belleville West High.

Goalby was drafted into the Army in 1950 and he served until 1952. Afterwards, Goalby began playing professionally and was named PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 1958. He also played in the 1963 Ryder Cup Matches.

But it was the 1968 Masters that was his signature triumph. Goalby’s heroics down the stretch often have been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the tournament. It shouldn’t be forgotten that Goalby birdied Nos. 13 and 14, then made eagle at No. 15, drilling a 3-iron from 200 yards to 6 feet. He shot 66 and posted 11-under 277 at Augusta National.

Goalby later became a television commentator and analyst for NBC’s golf coverage for 14 years. He also played a pivotal role in the formation of the PGA Tour Champions.

“In the beginning, it was magic,” Goalby said of the senior circuit, in Deane Beman: Golf’s Driving Force. “For about 10 years we were just trying to keep up with the growth.”