The Coasters
Variety, Special Celebrity & Attractions, Oldies, R&B, Classic R&B, Soul, Rock, Motown, Classic Rock, Pop, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s
THE MUSICAL SENSATION THAT SWEPT THE NATION
Show business has never seen a group quite like THE COASTERS® They occupy a special niche in the music field. Because of their style and approach, they are in a class of their own. No wonder THE COASTERS® are labeled “THE CLOWN PRINCES OF ROCK “N' 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 1956. Sold approximately 500,000 copies. In 1957 they hit the chart with a double-sided smash “YOUNG BLOOD” and 'SEARCHIN'. Each sold a million copies. This put THE COASTERS® on the road to a long career.
In 1958 THE COASTERS® again hit the chart with two blockbuster hits, “YAKETY YAK” and CHARLIE BROWN”.These stayed on the Billboard top ten list for several weeks with 'YAKETY YAK” in the No.1 position and 'CHARLIE BROWN” in the No.2 position. From then on it was hit after hit for “THE COASTERS”® with such hits as “POISON IVY”, “ALONG CAME JONES”, “LITTLE EGYPT”, “LOVE POTION #9”, “ZING WENT THE STRINGS OF MY HEART”, and “BABY THAT'S ROCK “N” ROLL just to name a few, which earned them several Gold Records. All of THE COASTERS® materials were written and produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who also wrote for many other artists. The partnership between THE COASTERS® and Leiber and Stoller was an instant success.
THE ORIGINAL COASTERS, the first vocal group that was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, was Carl Gardner, (deceased) Billy Guy, (deceased) Will Jones, (deceased) Cornell Gunter, (deceased).
THE COASTERS® now consists of four very talented singers. All came from musical backgrounds. These four individual along with Veta Gardner are carrying on the legacy of THE ORIGINAL COASTERS.
Over fifty years and THE COASTERS® are still going strong under the management of Veta Gardner, widow of Carl Gardner, the original lead singer and founder of THE COASTERS® who departed from us on June 12, 2011, who tries to maintain the same sound and quality of the “ORIGINAL COASTERS”. They have received many awards during their lifetime. Veta Gardner now owns the rights to THE COASTERS® name which is legally assigned to “The Original Coasters, Inc.” of which she is the President. THE COASTERS® was recently inducted into the Carolina Beach Music Hall Of Fame. A ceremony was held in November 2014, in South Carolina. This just added to their many other awards that they had received over the years.
AWARDS
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
- Vocal Group Hall Of Fame
- Rhythm & Blues Foundation
- Doo Wop Hall Of Fame
- Carolina Beach Music Hall Of Fame
- Now Dig This Magazine Hall Of Fame (England)
- Lifetime Achievement Award -Former Governor of Florida - (Lawton Chiles)
THE COASTERS® recently completed six months touring with the Broadway cast of “Smokey Joe's Cafe” (20th Anniversary) featuring THE COASTERS®, performing in over 40 states from June 2014 to January 2015.
