Died On This Date (February 26, 1990) Cornell Gunter / The Platters

Cornelius Gunter
November 14, 1936 – February 26, 1990

Cornell Gunter was a founding member of the Platters, one of R&B/rock ‘n roll’s most successful vocal groups.  He was ALSO a member of another popular group, the Coasters.  With the Platters, which he helped form in 1953, Gunter sang lead on such hits as “You Send Me,” and “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.”  He left the group in 1960.  With the Coasters, he sang on “Yakety Yak,” “Charlie Brown,” and “Poison Ivy.”  Gunter made several solo recordings throughout his career as well.  Cornell Gunter was in the process of launching a comeback in Las Vegas when he was gunned down by an unknown assailant on February 26, 2009.  The crime was never solved.