Rhythm & Blues/Doo-Wop Musician. A native of Itasca, Texas, he was born Frank Phillips. He was a member of the popular musical group, The Coasters. A baritone, he sang on the groups 1958 hit, "Searchin." The group, originally called The Robins, originated in Los Angeles, California, before becoming the Coasters. The group began recording in 1949, but became more professional in 1953 when they joined the writing team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The group, who were known for their on-stage antics, were considered clowns more than recording artists. The band, which recorded for such labels as Rhino, Hollywood, Atlantic, Deluxe, Atco, and Direct Source, consisted of several members besides Guy: Bobby Nunn, Leon Hughes, Cornell Gunter, Will J.'Dub' Jones, Obie Jessie, Earl 'Speedo' Carroll, and, at times, the great King Curtis. The band's many notable recordings included "Yakety Yak," "Charlie Brown," "Wake Me, Shake Me," "Down In Mexico," "Poison Ivy," "Along Came Jones," "Sweet Georgia Brown," "Shoppin' For Clothes," and "Little Egypt," were together until they disbanded in 1972. After the group broke up, different members tried to resurrect the group with other Coaster-type groups, but they were nothing like the originals. The group has also had a few hardships: King Curtis was murdered in 1971, Bobby Nunn died in 1986, Cornell Gunter was murdered in 1990, Billy Guy died penniless in 2002, and Will J. 'Dub' Jones passed away in 2000, at the age of 71. The Coasters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, the first vocal group to be given that honor. Known for his raunchy humor, Guy released a comedy album after the breakup of The Coasters in 1972. He later became careless with his money and died penniless in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2002 at the age of 66. A fundraiser had to be held to help pay for his funeral and burial costs.
Rhythm & Blues/Doo-Wop Musician. A native of Itasca, Texas, he was born Frank Phillips. He was a member of the popular musical group, The Coasters. A baritone, he sang on the groups 1958 hit, "Searchin." The group, originally called The Robins, originated in Los Angeles, California, before becoming the Coasters. The group began recording in 1949, but became more professional in 1953 when they joined the writing team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The group, who were known for their on-stage antics, were considered clowns more than recording artists. The band, which recorded for such labels as Rhino, Hollywood, Atlantic, Deluxe, Atco, and Direct Source, consisted of several members besides Guy: Bobby Nunn, Leon Hughes, Cornell Gunter, Will J.'Dub' Jones, Obie Jessie, Earl 'Speedo' Carroll, and, at times, the great King Curtis. The band's many notable recordings included "Yakety Yak," "Charlie Brown," "Wake Me, Shake Me," "Down In Mexico," "Poison Ivy," "Along Came Jones," "Sweet Georgia Brown," "Shoppin' For Clothes," and "Little Egypt," were together until they disbanded in 1972. After the group broke up, different members tried to resurrect the group with other Coaster-type groups, but they were nothing like the originals. The group has also had a few hardships: King Curtis was murdered in 1971, Bobby Nunn died in 1986, Cornell Gunter was murdered in 1990, Billy Guy died penniless in 2002, and Will J. 'Dub' Jones passed away in 2000, at the age of 71. The Coasters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, the first vocal group to be given that honor. Known for his raunchy humor, Guy released a comedy album after the breakup of The Coasters in 1972. He later became careless with his money and died penniless in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2002 at the age of 66. A fundraiser had to be held to help pay for his funeral and burial costs.
Bio by: The Silent Forgotten
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In God's Care
THE COASTERS
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES
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