Country Artist Carl Gardner

In 1956, Carl Gardner formed the Coasters with bass singer Bobby Nunn, Leon Hughes and Billy Guy, at the behest of the songwriting/producing team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, and had a two-sided hit in 1957, “Young Blood” and “Searchin'”. With new members Cornel Gunter and Will “Dub” Jones, the Coasters went on to produce several enduring classics of 1950s Rock and Roll music including “Yakety Yak”, “Charlie Brown”, and “Poison Ivy”.

Together with the other members of the Coasters – Cornell Gunter, Billy Guy and Will “Dub” Jones – Gardner was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

Gardner’s son, Carl Jr., officially joined the Coasters in late 2005, after Gardner semi-retired, although Carl Jr. had been touring with them since at least 1998. His father officially made him a member to carry on his group as the lead singer.