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Thursday April 17, 2003
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Platters, Coasters and Drifters at the Sahara
By Jerry Flattum
The Platters, Cornell Gunter's Coasters and Beary Hobb's Drifters come together on one
stage to provide a wonderful and unforgettable evening in the Sahara's Congo Room. The
talented members of each of the three groups in the show immediately dispel any negative
notions about lacking original members. It's true that various configurations of the three
groups have performed around the world and controversy over the trademarked names has
followed behind. But for all three groups, what you see and hear is what you get. You
won't be disappointed.
Derek David has been with The Platters for 32 years. The female of the
group, Kristy Brooks, used to be with Buck Ram, producer, manager, songwriter and mentor
of the original Platters. The current lineup has been together for 8 years and includes
Joe Coleman and Joe Cross.
The Platters started out on the Federal label in the early 50's but it wasn't until Buck
Ram signed them to the Mercury label the group began their hit-filled career. The original
members were Herb Reed, David Lynch, Tony Williams, Alex Hodge and the only female member,
Zola Taylor. Through the years, the Platters have experienced several personnel changes.
Platters hits include: "Only You," "The Great Pretender," "My
Prayer," "Twilight Time" and "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes." Buck Ram
wrote most of the Platters hits, with "Only You" being recorded by numerous
other artists before and after the Platters, and the song that catapulted the Platters to
superstardom. Ram died in 1991.
The Coasters started in 1947 under the name, The Robins. The Robins
signed with Spark Records in the early 50's and released such tunes as "Riot in Cell
Block #9" and "Smokey Joe's Cafe." Famed songwriters, Jerry Leiber and Mike
Stoller, who penned most of the Coasters hits, ran the Spark label. In 1955 the
songwriting team and the Robins signed with Atco, an Atlantic Records label. Original
members Bobby Nunn and Carl Gardner left LA for NY, and along with Leon Hughes and Billy
Guy, formed the Coasters. Cornell Gunter and Will "Dub" Jones eventually
replaced Hughes and Nunn.
The songwriting team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller represent one of the most prolific
songwriting duo's in pop music history. In addition to the Coasters, the team penned such
hits as "Hound Dog," "Kansas City," "Jailhouse Rock," and a
number of Drifter's tunes as well, including "On Broadway."
Coasters hits included: "Yakety Yak," "Charlie Brown," "Poison
Ivy," "Searchin'," "Young Blood" and others. Later, in the early
60's, they had hits with "Wake Me, Shake Me," and "Wait a Minute."
Legendary sax player King Curtis joined the group from time to time. The Rolling Stones
recorded two of the Coasters tunes, "Poison Ivy" and "Down Home Girl."
The Coasters are known for their somewhat humorous songs and performances and Sahara
audiences will laugh as well as sing and stomp their feet.
In 1987 Cornell Gunter and the Coasters were one of the first vocal groups to be inducted
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Gunter was also associated with the original
Platters. Sadly, Cornell Gunter was murdered in Las Vegas on Feb. 26, 1990, shot twice in
the head while sitting in his car. The killer was never caught.
The Coaster's line-up at the Sahara changes at times and includes Steve Smith, Cliff
Dawson, Donald Pinkney, Dennis Anderson and Early Clover. Pinkney is the cousin of original Drifter's member, Bill
Pinkney, and Early Clover is Cornell Gunter's cousin.
Personnel changes in The Drifters have been even more tumultuous through
the years. Names include Ben E. King, Clyde McPhatter, Bill Fredericks, William Anderson,
Dave Baldwin, James Clark, Tom Evans, James Johnson, Eugene Pearson, Johnny Moore,
Elsbeary Hobbs, Clyde Brown, Bill Pinkney, Johnny Terry, Andrew Thrasher, Gerhart
Thrasher, Johnny Williams, David Baughn, Willie Ferbee, Doc Green, Bobby Hendricks,
Charlie Hughes, Rudy Lewis, Charlie Thomas, Butch Leak, Butch Mann, Jimmy Millender, and
Gant Kitchings.
Obviously, it would take an astute discographer and musicologist to fully trace the roots
and multiple personnel changes of the Drifters. Suffice to say, the current line-up picks
up where everyone else leaves off. Current member line-up also changes from time to time
(befitting the name, Drifters) and includes Jerome Jackson, Joseph Cross, Lewis Lyman,
Kareem Ahmad, and Andre Reina. Lewis Lyman is the brother of Frankie Lyman, from Frankie
Lyman and the Teenagers fame.
Drifter's hits include: "Up on the Roof," "There Goes My Baby,"
"On Broadway," "Saturday Night at the Movies," "Save the Last
Dance for Me," "Under the Boardwalk," and more.
The very tight and energetically driven Dave Backer and the Casino Bandits support all
three groups. Band members are David Backer on bass, Ted Stevens on guitar, Stu Sacco on
drums and Jerry Wein on keyboards.
There is much audience participation during the show, with shouts, cheers and plenty of
sing-a-long. The simple choreographed dance routines of all three groups remind audiences
of the roots of today's current boy and girl groups, albeit a bit more controlled and
stylized. Most importantly, the harmonies are impeccable, with solo passages often
inspired. Dress is classy, with each group wearing the same color outfit. Kristy Brooks,
of the Platters, looks particularly radiant, as her gospel-tinged voice fills the air with
an almost religious fervor.
For a special treat, visit the Sahara's New Interactive Museum and relive 50 years of
Sahara history at www.saharavegas.com.
Sahara Hotel and Casino
Congo Room
2535 Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV. 89109
702-737-2111
Showtime: 8pm, nightly
Tickets: $37.75 (includes tax and service charges; price subject to change)
Tickets available at the Sahara box office (702) 737-2515
Review:
Fans strike solid gold at lively oldies show
By Jennifer Prosser
VEGAS.COM
When Cornell Gunter's Coasters take the stage, get out of the way. This steamroller of good shtick - and song - leads you down its path of oldies with such energy, such vigor, you'll be up playing along in no time.
Teaming up with the Platters and Beary Hobb's Drifters, these groups offer a blast from the past that will jolt you out of your seat.
The Coasters are so positive, so upbeat, you can't help but have a good time. It doesn't matter if you don't know the words, or remember the songs - the band will make you part of its show.
Cornell Gunter, an original member of the Coasters, was referred to as the group's comic genius. He certainly left his mark on the present group, as singers Steve Smith, Cliff Dawson, Donald Pinkney and Early Clover (the late Gunter's cousin) ham it up onstage to "Searchin,'" in which Clover makes his way through the audience kissing the ladies, and "Love Potion #9," to name a few.
Clover's smooth pipes are in perfect harmony with his band mates', and his voice is strong and clear. They're at their best in an a cappella number sung towards the end of their act.
Next, the Platters roll out their sweet ballads. "Twilight Time," "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and "Only You" are the perfect contrast to the hyperactive quartet before them. Lead vocalist Derek David shines in belting out these hits, backed up by Curtis Bridgeforth, Arnold Parker and Kristy Brooks (who has ties to the original band). The Platters allow the audience to be caught up in the tender melodies in an understated performance.
The show's line-up is spectacular and does a great job of dividing up the different energies. In closing with Beary Hobb's Drifters, it takes another lively look at the classics - "This Magic Moment," "There Goes My Baby" and "Under the Boardwalk" among them. Ahmad Kareem, whose antics and voice are reminiscent of Little Richard, supplies lead vocals. Although Kareem stands out here, all voices (Lewis M. Lymon, Alonzo Smalls, Joseph Cross) are stellar.
A free-for-all involving all three bands will bring you to your feet at the show's close. The timeless music of Cornell Gunter's Coasters, the Platters and Beary Hobb's Drifters should be enjoyed by all generations - they're much more talented than many of today's music "stars."
NOTE:
The Platters, Coasters and Drifters above are not the original groups!
Claus Röhnisch, editor of The Coasters Web Site.
Back to the true!
The Coasters Web Site
