Adolph Jacobs, later known as Al Jacobs (April 15, 1939 – July 23, 2014), was an American

guitar player ''Guitar Player'' was an American magazine for guitarists, founded in 1967 in San Jose, California San Jose, officially the City of San José ( ; ), is a cultural, commercial, and political center within Silicon Valley and the San Francis ...

, best known as an original member of

The Coasters The Coasters are an American rhythm and blues/rock and roll vocal group who had a string of hits in the late 1950s. With hits including "Searchin'", "Young Blood (The Coasters song), Young Blood", "Charlie Brown (The Coasters song), Charlie Bro ...

Biography

Born Adolf Jacobs in Pineland, Sabine County, Texas, he played guitar with Vernon Green and

The Medallions The Medallions were an American doo-wop vocal group led by Vernon Green (1937–2000). History The group formed in Los Angeles, California, United States, in 1954, after Vernon Green was heard singing on the street by Walter "Dootsie" Will ...

in 1955. He also wrote one of their songs, "I Know", in 1955. He became a member of

late in 1955. He recorded a solo record in 1959 "Move Around Easy" b/w "Walkin' And Whistlin'" on Class Records. He worked with

Johnny "Guitar" Watson John Watson Jr. (February 3, 1935 – May 17, 1996), often known professionally as Johnny "Guitar" Watson, was an American musician. A flamboyant showman and electric guitarist in the style of T-Bone Walker, his recording career spanned 40 year ...

and

Larry Williams Lawrence Eugene Williams (May 10, 1935 – January 7, 1980) was an American rhythm and blues and rock and roll singer, songwriter, and pianist from New Orleans. He is best known for writing and recording some rock and roll classics from 1957 to ...

in the 1960s. In 1971, he recorded another solo record "Gettin' Down With The Game" b/w "Do It" on Romark Records. The record was produced by

Kent Harris Kent Levaughn Harris (October 15, 1930 – April 9, 2019) was an American songwriter and record producer, who is best known as the writer of novelty tunes such as " Shoppin' for Clothes" (a hit for The Coasters, featured on Broadway’s Musical ...

, the co-writer of one of The Coasters' hits, "

Shoppin' For Clothes "Shoppin' for Clothes" is a novelty R&B song in the talking blues style, recorded by American vocal group the Coasters in 1960. Originally credited to Elmo Glick, a songwriting pseudonym of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who also produced the tr ...

" from 1960. Again, he worked with Kent Harris in the 1970s, recording some jazz recordings. In 1972, he played guitar on

Little Richard Richard Wayne Penniman (December 5, 1932 – May 9, 2020), known professionally as Little Richard, was an American singer, pianist, and songwriter. He was an influential figure in popular music and culture for seven decades. Described as the "Ar ...

's album ''The Second Coming''. Jacobs has led his own band in California. His orchestra even backed the

Will "Dub" Jones Will J. "Dub" Jones (May 14, 1928 – January 16, 2000) was an American R&B singer. He was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, and died in Long Beach, California.

and

Billy Guy Billy Guy (June 20, 1936 – November 5, 2002) was an American singer, best known as a lead singer for the Coasters. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Biography Born Frank Phillips in Texas, Guy is best known as a memb ...

led Coasters groups a few times during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Adolph legally changed his name to Al Jacobs. In 2012 Jacobs obtained management and formed a new group called Al Jacobs' Coasters. He was managed by MJ Shelby at Aries of NoHo Promotions. On July 23, 2014, Al Jacobs died. His last public performance was on October 20, 2013, at the Doo Wopp Hall of Fame Concert, hosted by Harvey Robbins, at the North Shore Music Theater in Beverly, Massachusetts. He was inducted into the Doo Wop Hall of Fame and wanted his guitar given to Harvey Robbins upon his death.

Discography

Solo records

*"Move Around Easy" / "Walkin' And Whistlin'" (Class #253) (1959) *"Gettin' Down With The Game" / "Do It" (Romark #101) (1971) *Title Unknown (Kent Harris) (1970's) (jazz recordings)

Various group singles and recordings

*"A Little Taste" / "Thin Possum" (Raja #65001) (1963) (Elliot Shavers) (played guitar) *Little Richard: ''The Second Coming'' (Reprise #2017) (1972) (played guitar) *Don And Dewey: ''Jungle Hop'' (Specialty #7008) (1991) (played guitar) *''Billy Lamont Meets Chuck Edwards'' (Official #5678) (played guitar) *''The Coasters: The Complete Singles As & Bs 1954-62 (played guitar)''''The Coasters: The Complete Singles As & Bs 1954-62'', Acrobat Licensing LTD., ADDCCD3180, 2016, UK *''A Happy Noel'' (compilation CD) (includes "Twas The Night Before Christmas" by Adolph Jacobs)

References

External links

The Coasters Web SiteAriesofnoho.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jacobs, Adolph 1939 births 2014 deaths American rhythm and blues guitarists American male guitarists The Coasters members Class Records artists Guitarists from Texas 20th-century American guitarists 20th-century American male musicians