Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: The Coasters Quiz

Answer: Los Angeles

The band began as a doo-wop singing group originally named The Robins in Los Angeles, CA in 1949. The Robins were signed to Spark Records and released the song "Smokey Joe's Cafe". The Coasters were born when several members of The Robins left the group and relocated to New York, thus leading to the band name, leaving one coast and heading towards another.

Answer: King Curtis

King Curtis, born Curtis Ousley, was an extremely talented musician who played with a number of artists including The Coasters and Aretha Franklin's backing band, The Kingpins. Curtis had a solo number one R&B hit titled "Soul Twist"

Answer: Charlie Brown

This song featured the classic catch phrase as sung by Will "Dub" Jones. Jones was once a member of The Cadets, and The Jacks, who released "Stranded in the Jungle" in 1956. The Cadets and The Jacks were both the same band, performing under different names depending on which record company was promoting the appearance.

Answer: "The Great Pretender" as recorded by The Platters

Songs from The Coasters written by Leiber and Stoller include "Poison Ivy", "Searchin'" and "Little Egypt". In fact, if you were to listen to a greatest hits compilation from The Coasters, it's probable that the majority of the songs were written by the Leiber and Stoller duo.

Answer: The Tramp is Funky

"The Tramp is Funky" was a hilarious, yet under produced, comedy album featuring some of the most X-rated jokes ever recorded. The album was released on the Snake Eye recod label.

Answer: Pete Seeger and Lee Hays

Pete Seeger is known as one of the greatest American folk songwriters of all time. Seeger has lent his songwriting talents to songs about politics, the environment and civil rights since the late 1930's. Seeger has been bestowed with nearly every musical honor offered to a singer/songwriter. Truly an American musical institution.

Answer: Phantom of the Ritz

"Phantom of the Ritz" was a comedy/horror film inspired by "The Phantom of the Opera". The film was directed by Allen Plone, of "Night Fright" fame.

Answer: Down in Mexico

"Down in Mexico" was released in 1956 while the band was still located in Los Angleles. At the time, the band consisted of Carl Gardner, Billy Guy, Leon Hughes and Bobby Nunn. In 1957, both Hughes and Nunn were replaced with Will "Dub" Jones and Cornell Gunter, and the band moved to New York. Sadly, both Gunter and Jones have passed away, Gunter in 1990 and Jones in 2000.

Answer: 1

Only "Yakety Yak" reached number one on the US Pop Charts. The band had a few more number ones on the US R&B Charts including: "Searchin'", "Young Blood" and "Poison Ivy".

Answer: Stand By Me

"Stand By Me" is the story of four boys who go on a quest to find a dead body that one of the boys claims to have seen. This nostalgic movie was produced by Rob Reiner and starred River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell and Wil Wheaton. Richard Dreyfuss, Kiefer Sutherland and John Cusack also share acting credits in this film.