(Gibson) Carl Gardner, the original lead singer with The Coasters, has died. He passed in Port St. Lucie, Florida on Sunday June 12. He was 83 and had been suffering from congestive heart failure and vascular dementia.One of the great vocal groups of the '50s, The Coasters were one of the first black groups to crossover to mainstream chart success. It was Gardner's voice on their best-known songs like "Yakety Yak," "Poison Ivy" and "Searchin."
Gardner retired in 1985 with his son Carl, Jr. taking over as the lead singer of The Coasters. more on this story
