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The Coasters were formed in Los Angeles, California by Carl Gardner in
1955. Their first hit record was "Down In Mexico" in 1956. At that time,
the band consisted of Carl Gardner, Billy Guy, Leon Hughes
and Bobby Nunn. In 1957 both Bobby Nunn and Leon Hughes were dismissed
from the group. In 1958 they were replaced by Will "Dub" Jones (now
deceased 2/2/2000) and Cornell Gunter (also deceased 1990).
Carl Gardner is the only surviving member that is still
performing under the name "The Coasters". Neither Billy Guy, Leon Hughes or the
estates of Cornell Gunter and Will "Dub" Jones has been given the right to use
the name "The Coasters" by Carl Gardner.
The Coasters have made over one hundred television appearances and many of
their songs have been used in movie soundtracks.
The current lineup of The Coasters is Carl Gardner (lead singer and
founder), Ronald Bright (bass), J.W. Lance. (baritone), Alvin
Morse (second tenor) and Thomas Palmer (musical director and
arranger).
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Show business has never a group quite like the coasters. They occupy a special
niche in the music world. Because of their style & approach, they are in a
class of their own. No wonder the coasters are labeled "the clown princes of
rock and roll." Nothing in the world is more difficult to achieve than a
long-term career in the record business by being funny. But the coasters have
had a long unbroken string of hits all containing humorous materials. In this respect, the coasters are
certainly unique. The coasters first hit "Down in Mexico" was released in the
spring of the year 1956. This sold approximately 500,000 copies. In 1957 they
hit the charts with a double-sided smash "young blood" the "a" side &
"searching" the "b" side. Each sold a million copies. This put the coasters on
the road to a long and successful career.
In
1958, the coasters hit the charts again with two blockbuster hits "Yakety Yak"
and "Charlie Brown." These stayed in the top ten for several weeks with "Yakety
Yak" in the number 1 position and "Charlie Brown" in the number 2 position. From
then on it was hit after hit with such songs as "Poison Ivy," "Along
Came Jones," "Little Egypt," "Zing With The Strings of My Heart," "Love Potion
No. 9," "Baby That's Rock & Roll," and many, many more. All of the Coasters
material was written and produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who also
wrote for Elvis Presley, The Drifters, The Dixie Cups, Peggy Lee, and Willie May
Thorton, just to name a few.
The original line-up of the coasters were the lead singer
and founder of the coasters Carl Gardner, Billy Guy (baritone), Bobby Nunn
(bass), & Leon Hughes (2nd tenor). This line-up stayed together until 1957
when lLon Hughes and Bobby Nunn left the group. Those two were then replaced by
the late Will Jones and the late Cornell Gunter. In 1961, Cornel Gunter left and
was replaced by Earl Speedo Carroll. Between 1961 and 1969. Jone and Guy left
the group to pursue personal careers. Ronald bright replaced Will Jones in 1968.
Over forty years and The Coasters are still going strong under the leadership
of Carl Gardner who still performs with the group & maintains the same style
and quality of  the fifties. He is also the exclusive owner of the federal trade
mark. Though often imitated the coasters can not be duplicated and continue to
do what they do best, " entertain."
In 1987, the coasters were the first group inducted into the "Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame" in Cleveland, Ohio. Later in 1996 they were "Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame" inductees in London, England. In 1994 the group received the Rhythm &
Blues Foundation Pioneer Award and in 1999 they were the vocal group hall of
fame inductees. In 1997, Carl Gardner was honored by the mayor of Port St.
Lucie, Florida, and was given the key to the city for his lifelong contribution
to the music industry. On February 26, 2000, the coasters were honored by
President Bill Clinton in celebration of their 45th anniversary in show
business. This was held at the Club Med resort in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Source:
TheCoasters.com
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