Q&A with Veda Gardner of Coasters PORT ST. LUCIE (WUSF) - The last original member of the Drifters -- Bill Pinkney -- died yesterday, just hours before he was scheduled to perform at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort. The group's hits include Under the Boardwalk and Up on the Roof.

The Drifters are said to have been one of the most cloned groups in the nation. It is not unusual to find dozens of groups calling themselves the Drifters performing all across the nation. Other groups who seem to inspire so-called imposter bands are the Platters and the Coasters.

Among the new laws now in effect Florida this past week is one aimed at imposter bands! It's now against the law to misrepresent a band in such a way.

Carl Gardner is the last surviving original member of the Coasters. A recent stroke left him unable to speak clearly -- but he is standing by now with his wife and manager Veda Gardner from their home in Port St. Lucie.
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