Billy Richards' Coasters

For the balance of the 50’s the Coasters remained among the most important influences on popular music. Two of the most notable recordings that continued this trend were the 1958 number-one-ranked hit, “Yakety Yak” and the 1959 success, “Charlie Brown”. Among the other hits the Coasters made were “Poison Ivy” (Number One in 1959), “Idol with the Golden Head”, “Along Came Jones”, “I’m a Hog for You”, “What About Us”, “Run Red Run” and “That is Rock and Roll ”. The last of these is often cited as the recording that best defines rock music, at least of the 1950’s variety. The group also achieved good sales with many of its albums, though its main appeal was always to single buyers.

Billy Richards is a multi-talented entertainer, having sung, recorded and toured his entire adult life. He got his start in high school as a prominent member of the glee club and church choir. At the early age of 17, he sang with his uncle’s famed rock and roll group, the Robins. In 1962, he joined forces with the original bass singer of the Coasters, Bobby Nunn. They performed side by side in a Coasters group for over 24 years until Bobby Nunn’s untimely death in 1986.

Billy Richards’ Coasters have made numerous TV appearances over a wide span of time; from the early years on “Dick Clark’s American Bandstand” to present day’s “America’s Funniest People”. The group has also been featured on several national TV commercials. Hide