There’s only two weeks left until the Tyrone Area High School will host yet another world famous member of the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame with the appearance of Cornell Gunter’s Coasters as the headliners of the sixth annual Tyrone-Snyder Township Public Library fundraiser.
When Cornell Gunter’s Coaster’s take the stage, get out of the way! This steamroller of good schtick-and-song leads you down its path of oldies with such energy, such vigor, you’ll be up playing along in no time.
The Coasters are so positive, so upbeat, you can’t help but to have a good time. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know the words, or remember the songs – the band will make you a part of its show.
The Cornell Gunter Coasters are the supreme comedians of rock-and-roll. What’s more, their impact has deepened with time. Their songs, their parodies and the tunes that became million selling records are revived in this new generation of music.
Named for their West Coast origin, they were originally known as “The Robins”. Their first record, “Down in Mexico” was recorded in the spring of 1956, and propelled The Cornell Gunter’s Coasters into fame.
“Down in Mexico” was followed with the double-sided million seller smash hit “Searching” on the “A” side and “Young Blood” on the “B” side. In 1958 they recorded two more big hits, “Yakety Yak” and “Charlie Brown” and from then on, it was the sweet smell of success for The Coasters.
For many years, The Coasters traveled overseas to Germany, Australia, London and the Caribbean Islands. In the USA, they performed in Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, Westbury Music Fair, The Apollo Theater and countless nightclubs throughout the country.
The Coasters were the very first vocal group to be inducted into the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame on January 21, 1987.
The hit songs of The Coasters include such favorites as Poison Ivy, Baby That Is Rock and Roll, Charlie Brown, Along Came Jones, Yakety Yak, Hog for You Baby, Little Egypt, Searching, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Young Blood and Love Potion No. 9.
The Coasters will join the list of many stars that have helped make these annual library concerts such a tremendous evening of entertainment for the entire area. The Coasters will join such star-studded performers as Jimmy Beaumont and The Skyliners, The Marcels, The Vogues, The Platters and Charlie Thomas’ The Drifters in helping to raise funds to pay the mortgage for the new library.
“When I sit back and look at that type of star-studded lineup I am even just totally amazed we have been able to deliver that type of lineup here in Tyrone,” said concert organizer and chairman Chuck Banas.
These annual concerts have been the biggest and most successful fundraiser that the library has during the year. All of the revenues that are generated from these concerts are used to pay the mortgage on the new library in downtown Tyrone.
“Without the concert series and the great support from our corporate sponsors and the people who love this type of music I am very sure that this beautiful recreational and educational facility in Tyrone would have joined the list of activities under the heading of gone,” added Banas. “I have been told by so many people over the past six years that this is a great way to support the library and at the same time get a tremendous evening of entertainment. The other really good thing is that so many people have told us that they have grown to look forward to the annual concerts,” said Banas.
The annual concert series to date has been able to generate over $46,000 towards payment of the mortgage on the library.
“This year’s concert should be a milestone for the library. When we came up with the idea of raising funds, a total of $100,000 had been targeted. This show should put us up over the $50,000 mark when we are all said and done,” concluded Banas.
Tickets are still available at several downtown ticket outlets: Bressler’s Food Mart and Sports, Kopp Drug and the Tyrone-Snyder Township Public Library. Tickets may also be ordered over the telephone by calling a special ticket order number at 682-1017. If ordering tickets through the mail, please allow five days for the tickets to be sent to you. The concert is set for Saturday night, April 21 at the Tyrone Area High School Auditorium. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the show will start promptly at 7 p.m. There will also be a section of the high school parking lot that will be marked off for handicapped parking the night of the show.
Immediately following the concert this year will be a meet and greet session in the lobby of the auditorium.
“Bring your cameras for pictures with the performers after the show. Our concert show programs this year will also have a page set aside for you to get autographs of your favorites. Some of the performers this year will be bringing in some merchandise for purchase if you are inclined to do so after the show. So if you are interested you can come to the show prepared,” offered Banas.
Next week, The Daily Herald will be highlighting some of the extras that the library will have available for all of those in attendance that evening.
