ORANGE — Tony Funches, former lead vocalist for the 1950s group The Platters, has been performing for people across the world, from Sweden to Japan, for more than 25 years. Today, he plans to bring his musical talents to the Orange Council on Aging starting at 3:30 p.m. for local residents.
Funches, a Dorchester native, joined The Platters when he was 23, after founder Herb Reed traveled from Los Angeles to New England. Funches is known as the longest standing lead singer of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group, spending more than 12 years with it, and performed hits like “Only You,” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.”
He still travels around singing all the golden hits, but said he can sing just about everything.
“Anything that I can get my hands on that will make them smile and they can relate to (I perform),” said Funches.
Though he’s traveled quite a bit throughout his career, Funches still lives in the greater Boston area. He’s performed at venues such as Foxwoods Resort Casino and Boston’s Symphony Hall.
He said he looks forward to entertaining and bringing his voice to Orange for the first time this weekend.