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The Beginning of Cornell Gunter’s Coasters
Teddy Harper, Cornell & Charlie Duncan
Charlie Duncan, Cornell & Edwin
Cornell Gunter’s Coasters after Cornell’s Death
Charlie Duncan, Edwin & Lionel Pope
The Original Cornell Gunter’s
Coasters Today
Ron Stevenson,
Charlie Duncan, Lionel ”Z” Pope "
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The
Original Cornell Gunter Coasters
This
year marks the 45th anniversary of the formation of
Cornell Gunter's Coasters out of the ashes of the
surprising breakup of the original Coaster group
several months earlier. Few people recall anymore
the historical significance of Cornell Gunter's
decision at the time to "fly in the face of the
wind." After all, he thought he could form a new
group that would overcome the sudden lack of public
interest in The Coasters' music, and 1950's music in
general. And he thought he could do so by relying,
in part at least, on Coasters' music. Cornell
believed that there was a new and unique way to
present 1950's music and clearly a new approach was
needed because the early 60's brought about a
stunning and sudden change in American musical
tastes. The Beatles and psychedelic music were right
around the corner and almost overnight The Coasters,
along with all of the other purveyors of the oldies
group sound (The Drifters, The Shirelles, The
Platters, to name a few), went from living as stars
in the spotlight to being unable to get a new record
played on the radio. Looking back, given the current
popularity of their music, it is hard to believe
that this immensely popular art form could have
fallen into disfavor so rapidly, joining such other
fads as disco, calypso, big band and swing; all of
which disappeared from the American music scene.
Like aging football players or silent movie stars,
the 1950's group members all seemed headed for their
new lives out of the limelight.
Cornell Gunter
believed that The Coasters could be reborn.
In fact he believed that all of the groups from that
era could be reborn, and thrive as live performing
groups, and ultimately he led the way to what was
soon to become known as "The Rock Revival." All that
was needed was to take the original music and
present it in a way that gave each group a modern
theatrical approach to their presentation. More
important, he developed an approach to 1950's music
that lent itself to constant innovation. And slowly
but surely fans returned. So unique was Cornell's
approach to The Coasters' music and 1950's music in
general that within a year Cornell Gunter's Casters
were headlining in Las Vegas for six months out of
the year. Soon The Drifters, The Platters and other
1950's groups following Cornell's lead, were
reconstituted as live performing groups, all with
their own unique style. By 1969, came the first
oldies stations and oldies shows, that still
fascinate the country's musical taste today. All
because of this "crazy idea" of Cornell Gunter. Over
the years, Cornell Gunter's Coasters has continually
built up a new market for their approach to 1950's
music. If you're seen the show, you will know what
we mean when we say,
"You Are in for a Surprise"
Today
they are as much a comedy act as a singing group.
It's been seventeen years since Cornell passed away.
Since that time, Charlie Duncan (who was an original
member and the creative force behind the group
keeping the music alive) incorporated Cornell's
genius into the group's ongoing homage, to not only
The Coasters' music, but to Cornell himself. It is
under his tutelage and guidance that the group
continues to entertain today with Lionel Z who
replaced Cornell after his untimely death. And today
Cornell Gunter's genius still lives on in the way
Cornell Gunter's Coasters present
themselves on stage.
Unforgettable Sound & Excitement
This amazing show
is High-Energy and filled with
Hit after Hit that everyone recognizes and
sings along with!
Charlie Brown, Searchin’, Poison Ivy, Smokey Joe’s
Café, Yakety Yak
and many more
Carrying on their
tradition of vocal excellence and precision
choreography along with their trademark humor and
audience participation and incorporating it into
today's entertainment. With a rock solid
foundation of musical experience and
accomplishments, Cornell Gunter's Coasters combines
the unique, unmatched Coasters sound of yesterday
with their amazing
vocal abilities, songwriting and record production
of today. sentimental favorites, fast tempo golden
oldies and some bold new arrangements the performers
keep the fans applauding.They are often referred as:
"One of the BEST Vocal Acts in the world today"
By the end of the
evening the crowd is dancing in the aisles!
newest releases
"What Happens in Vegas...Gets
EMAILED Home"
"Baby This Time"
Catch these talented performers live on stage as
they present dozens of the most popular hits of the
50's and 60's and much much more ! |
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