Show business has never seen 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 wonderThe Coasters are labeled "The Clown Princes of Rock and Roll." 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" & "Charlie Brown." These stayed in the top ten for several weeks with "Yakety Yak" in the number 1 position & "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 Thats Rock'nRoll," & many, many more. All of The Coasters materials were written & produced by Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, who also wrote for Elvis Presley, The Drifters, The Dixie Cups, Peggy Lee, & Willie May Thorton, just to name a few.
The original line-up ofThe Coasters were the lead singer & founder of The Coasters, Carl Gardner, Billy Guy (baritone), Bobby Nunn (bass), & Leon Hughes (2nd tenor). This line-up stayed together until 1957 when Leon Hughes & 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 & was replaced by Earl Speedo Carroll. Between 1961 & 1969. Jone & Guy left the group to pursue personal careers. Ronald Bright replaced Will Jones in 1968.

Over forty years & The Coasters are still going strong under the leadership of Carl Gardner who still performs with the group & maintains the same style & 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 & 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, & 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.

Original ‘Coasters’ founder and lead singer CARL GARDNER has an intriguing, yet sorrorful story to tell, and he’ll do just that, when he enters The RadioActivE Gold Artist Spotlight with Dave Justice on January 11. The triumphs and the tragedies of one of Rock N’ Roll’s most spectacular groups, ‘The Coasters’,
a special Holiday feature presentation on the January 11th edition
of RadioActivE Gold with Dave Justice.

The Dells started their career in Harvey, Illinois, in 1953. Their first hit, "Oh What A Night" sold over one million records and became an immediate R&B hit. By 1967, --- under the musical production team of Miller and Stepney --- the Dells charted a string of R&B Billboard hits, including number one R&B hits: "Stay in My Corner," and "Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation," certified million seller, in 1973. The Dells have charted forty-four R&B hits that sailed to the top of the charts. These hits transformed the Dells as an opening act from a Chicago suburb to major concert headliners around the world.
In 1991, producer/director/writer Robert Townsend released the commercial and critically acclaimed hit film, "The Five Heartbeats." The movie, based on the lives and careers of the Dells, produced another R&B Billboard hit: "A Heart Is A House for Love." For 50 years, the Dells continue to set the standard for top-to-bottom male harmony.

The Dells immense contributions to the music industry and their popularity among R&B fans worldwide over the past 50 years have garnered them many prestigious awards, among them: The NAACP Image Award, the Soul of America Music Award, and inductees into the Rhythm and Blues Foundation's Pioneer Hall of Fame Award.

In honor of ‘The Dells’ 50th year in the music business, Dave Justice will present a special DELLS ANTHOLOGY on the January 18th edition of RadioActivE Gold. Special guest for this feature presentation will be ‘Dells’ bass singer Chuck Barksdale, who will start at the beginning, 1952; and will tell the complete story on how five young men from Illinois became the most beloved R & B group of all time-The Dells.