Carl Gardner (lead singer for classic '50s outfit the Coasters, "Yakety Yak," "Charlie Brown") died yesterday (June 12) at the Port St. Lucie Hospice Home in Florida after suffering congestive heart failure and vascular dementia. He was 83 years old.
The singer's wife, Veta, confirmed the news on the group's website, while his son, Carl Gardner Jr., did the same on the outfit's Facebook page.
"Sharing my most deepest feelings of the love that my father and I shared -- especially when we were on stage together," Gardner Jr. posted.
Gardner Sr. (far left in the photo above) formed the troupe back in 1955. He was the only member to take part in every incarnation of the Coasters over the last 50 years. Since 2006, he acted as the troupe's vocal coach.
Early on, they scored a number of hits, including "Poison Ivy," "Yakety Yak," "Charlie Brown," "Young Blood" and "Searchin'," making them one of the more memorable acts during the first wave of rock'n'roll. All together, they sold over 15 million records and notched over a dozen gold singles.
In 1987, the Coasters were the first band to be entered into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It's assumed that his son, who joined the band in 1998 and has sung lead since 2006, will keep the Coasters going in tribute to his father.
The singer's wife, Veta, confirmed the news on the group's website, while his son, Carl Gardner Jr., did the same on the outfit's Facebook page.
"Sharing my most deepest feelings of the love that my father and I shared -- especially when we were on stage together," Gardner Jr. posted.
Gardner Sr. (far left in the photo above) formed the troupe back in 1955. He was the only member to take part in every incarnation of the Coasters over the last 50 years. Since 2006, he acted as the troupe's vocal coach.
Early on, they scored a number of hits, including "Poison Ivy," "Yakety Yak," "Charlie Brown," "Young Blood" and "Searchin'," making them one of the more memorable acts during the first wave of rock'n'roll. All together, they sold over 15 million records and notched over a dozen gold singles.
In 1987, the Coasters were the first band to be entered into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It's assumed that his son, who joined the band in 1998 and has sung lead since 2006, will keep the Coasters going in tribute to his father.
