Tyler Native, Coasters Founder, Dies

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORDIA – The original lead singer of the Coasters, and Tyler native Carl Gardner, has died. According to the group’s web site, “Carl had been ill with congestive heart failure and vascular dementia for some time.” Gardner, who was 83, died Sunday in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

He was born in Tyler in 1928. Gardner was trained in singing by an early teacher, a German classical pianist, who also trained his sister Carol. He later studied at Emmett Scott High School, where he linked up with Lasalle Gunter´s “territorial” band, singing and playing drums.

Gardner co-founded the Coasters in 1955. It’s his voice that leads such Coaster classics as “Yakety Yak,” “Poison Ivy” “Along Came Jones” and “Charlie Brown.” He was the last surviving member of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Coasters. They were also the first group to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The group continues to perform. Carl Gardner Jr. has been the lead singer since his father retired in 2005.