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Herb A. Reed

Herb A. Reed

Family & friends are invited to attend a visitation on Saturday, June 16th, 2012 beginning at 10 a.m., at the Regent Theater, 7 Medford Street, Arlington Center, for Herb (Herbert A.) Reed, international entertainer & founder of Herb Reed’s Platters, who died on Monday, June 4th at Kaplan Family Hospice of Danvers, following a long period of declining health, at 83 years.  The Funeral Service will follow at the Regent Theater at 11 a.m., followed by interment at Puritan Lawn Memorial Cemetery, West Peabody.  He is the beloved father of: Herbert A. Reed, Jr. of Arizona, 2 Grandsons, Amir & Blair Reed also of Arizona.  He was the Brother of the late: Gracie Mamie Reed, Leon, Gene & Julius Reed & Caroline Viola Reed, & Rebecca Smith.  He is the son of the late: Carl & Juanita (Brown) Reed.  He is lovingly survived by his extended musical family: Billie Cox of Lynn, MA, Wayne Miller of Everett, Angela Allen of Randolph, Efrain “Frank” Pizarro of New York City, Frederick J. Balboni, Jr. & family of West Peabody, Michael Larson of Hyde Park, & Dan & Lori Norris of Salem, New Hampshire.  Herb also leaves a large extended biological family of nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, & cousins in Kansas City, Missouri.  In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to: Mass Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) at Angell, 350 So. Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130-9923.  Reed was a Kansas City, Mo., native who founded the Platters in Los Angeles in 1952.  Reed sang bass on the group’s four No. 1 hits, including “The Great Pretender,” “My Prayer,” “Twilight Time” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.”  Reed was the only member of the group to appear on all of their nearly 400 recordings.  He continued touring, performing up to 200 shows per year, until last year.  The Platters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

Services

Visiting Hours

Saturday, June 16th, 2012 from 10 – 11 a.m. in the Regent Theater, 7 Medford St., Arlington, MA.

Funeral Service

Saturday, June 16th, 2012 at 11 a.m. in the Regent Theater, 7 Medford St., Arlington, MA.

Interment

Puritan Lawn Memorial Cemetery, West Peabody.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to: Mass Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) at Angell, 350 So. Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130-9923.

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  1. GAIL HANNON
    Feb 23 2023

    I started listening to Herb Reed and the Platters in the 60’s. I have seen them many times over the years. We were close friends for many years. The shows they did were fantastic. All their music was very touching to the heart. At the end with Herb i saw him quite often our friendship was worth a million dollars, with him and Billy who was with him all the time at the end. I will never forget him. He was very special.. now in my 70’s I still think about him and how special he was still love listening to their music. No group will ever compare to them..

  2. Alexandrya Olges
    Oct 11 2021

    I miss you every day. Every moment of my childhood was blessed by your existence. I am deeply pained by your absence now. My kids wish they knew their great grandfather. And there is nothing and no one who could replace you in this. Gosh I look thru my photos, and flash thru every memory….there is simply no one in the entire universe who could ever mean as much to me, as you. I love you herb. Rest In Peace …. Wait for me please.

  3. Edward Auger
    Jul 10 2018

    Herb and the Platters came to our church in Weymouth for a concert. There were more people listening to Herb than there was that come to Mass. They sang for almost 3 hours. It was a great time and one that I will never forget

    RIP Mr. Reed

  4. Irene
    May 13 2017

    Herb is also survived but never mentioned by his personal assistant Gail Stewart of 25 years who took care of him both professionally and personally. RIP

  5. Steffen Fishah
    May 12 2017

    Hey Herb! Years have passed since your passing! The Music you and The Platters, the originals recorded, that the whole world knows! Has left one of the greatest impressions on the Music Industry, myself and so many others! You are truly The Shadow, and Dunkin Donuts has missed you too! Miss you too Baby!!!!

  6. brigidacroes
    Jun 2 2013

    It is a year that we still have Herb in our hearts.
    He came to our island Aruba for so many years and we have so many great memories of him and Iwould like to know or see pictures of his family son and grand children wespoke to him
    He was really afriend he is still alive in our hearts
    Now he is singing in heaven.

  7. Bob Geribo
    Jun 18 2012

    Herb,
    You were such a great showman.
    You were also a great business man and fought the good fight to keep waht is rightfuly yours “Herb Reed’s Platters.”
    You didn’t allow the imposters to highjack your group.
    Nicely done!
    I spoke with “Bowzer” of Sha Na Na at your wake and he is so deeply committed to continuing your fight on-behalf of all Doo Wop Entertainers.
    Herb,you will be sorely missed.
    Until we meet again…..God Bless You…. and “Rest in Eternal Peace.”

    Bob Geribo

  8. Denise Kane
    Jun 15 2012

    My family and I were very sad to hear of Herb’s passing. Being a child of the 50’s and teen of the 60″s, I grew up enjoying the music of Herb Reed and the Platters. So I was very excited to have been introduced to him at a nursing facility that my father is in. For the past two years my husband and I became friends with Herb and talked and laughed over many things while enjoying the outdoor patio. I was especially honored and thrilled when Herb sang our song to us , Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley, He ended by saying he was two octives to HIGH. Boy, it sure sounded good to us. At 82, he was still amazing, in so many ways. We love and miss you HERB and here’s a kiss from me. I know the Angels in Heaven are smiling since you joined their chorus. REST IN PEACE.

  9. LESLIE CROSBY
    Jun 15 2012

    R.I.P. HERB REED YOUR SPIRIT WILL LIVE ON FOREVER YOU WILL TRULY BE MISSED ALL OVER THE WORLD YOUR MUSIC WILL LIVE ON FOREVER ALL OVER THE WORLD I FEEL YOU WAS LIKE AN UNCLE TO ME YOU ARE GOING HOME TO THE LORD R.I.P. HERB REED

  10. Sam Loretta
    Jun 15 2012

    R.I.P. Herb. Now you can sing with your friends in Rock & Roll Heaven

  11. Skip Flippin
    Jun 14 2012

    I have been a fan of The Platters and Mr. Herb Reed for decades. I have seen them on many different occasions. I want to send my condolences and prayers to Mr. Reed’s family & friends. He has joined all of his original bandmates and is now performing on Heavenly Bandstand. R,I,P. Mr. Reed and Thank You for the music.

  12. susan matz
    Jun 14 2012

    I grew up listening to the platters beautiful music. I never got tired of hearing it. About 2 or 3 years ago I had the pleasure of seeing herb and the platters at the south shore music circus. The music was just as good as ever. It happened to take place on his birthday and he was presented a cake as the audience sang happy birthday. I will always be grateful for the wonderful musical gift herb and his singing partners gave to me over so many years.

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To all our families, friends, and residents of Revere, East Boston, and surrounding communities of the North Shore,

We would like to announce that after 37 years of caring for thousands of families at our 773 Broadway location, on January 31st, 2023 we will be officially RELOCATING, to our new location at 262 Beach St., Revere.
On September 30th, 2022, we proudly purchased the Vazza “Beechwood” Funeral Home – DiPietro and Vazza, Inc. A name that has served families for 102 years. We feel blessed that with all of the interest, the Vazza Family chose us to carry on their century old business and family name. We will become Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals. We will continue to honor the Vazza name and continue our commitment the same way that we always have. We also look forward to having both Louis Vazza and Jessica Vazza Ferragamo alongside of us, as we come together as one.
Our reputation has always been our biggest asset. For many years people always wanted us to have a larger facility, now our facility is the largest funeral home in the area. We will be making many beautiful upgrades to allow our families to have the most elegant facility to honor their loved one.
Although this announcement is bittersweet, as we say goodbye to our home, we are forever grateful for all of you for placing your constant faith and trust in us to care for your loved one. We will continue to do what we are best known for.
Thank you for your friendship and continued support.
God bless you all.
Faithfully,

Your friends at Vertuccio Smith and Vazza.

To all our families, friends, and residents of Revere, East Boston, and surrounding communities of the North Shore,

We would like to announce that after 37 years of caring for thousands of families at our 773 Broadway location, on January 31st, 2023 we will be officially RELOCATING, to our new location at 262 Beach St., Revere.

On September 30th, 2022, we proudly purchased the Vazza “Beechwood” Funeral Home – DiPietro and Vazza, Inc. A name that has served families for 102 years. We feel blessed that with all of the interest, the Vazza Family chose us to carry on their century old business and family name. We will become Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals. We will continue to honor the Vazza name and continue our commitment the same way that we always have. We also look forward to having both Louis Vazza and Jessica Vazza Ferragamo alongside of us, as we come together as one.

Our reputation has always been our biggest asset. For many years people always wanted us to have a larger facility, now our facility is the largest funeral home in the area. We will be making many beautiful upgrades to allow our families to have the most elegant facility to honor their loved one.

Although this announcement is bittersweet, as we say goodbye to our home, we are forever grateful for all of you for placing your constant faith and trust in us to care for your loved one. We will continue to do what we are best known for.

Thank you for your friendship and continued support.

God bless you all.

Faithfully,

Your friends at Vertuccio Smith and Vazza.