 This year marks the 35th 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 6Q'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 type of 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. Enter Cornell Gunter.
Cornell 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 lo take the original music and present it
m a way that gave each group a modern theatrical approach lo their presentation.
More important, he developed an approach to 1950's music that lent itself to
constant innovation.
And slowly but surely the 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
Coasters 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. In fact, by the early 1970's, all of the original
Coasters had formed their own individual groups of Coasters and were touring
extensively, both separately and on certain occasions, together. 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've 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 The Coasters' music through the eyes of
Salvador Dali. It's definitely not your mother's musk.
Its been ten years since Cornell passed away. Since that time, his sister
Shirley (who was an original member of The Platters and had been Cornell's
manager and the creative force behind the group) incorporated Cornell's genius
into the group's ongoing homage, to not only The Coasters' music, but to Cornell
himself.
It is under her tutelage and guidance that the group continues to entertain
today.
And today Cornell Gunter's genius still lives on in the way Cornell Gunter's
Coasters present themselves on stage.
Listen to
Cornell Gunter Coasters
Yakety Yak- Music Clip
|
