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

guitar player ''Guitar Player'' is an American popular magazine for guitarists, founded in 1967 in San Jose, California. It contains articles, interviews, reviews and lessons of an eclectic collection of artists, genres and products. It has been in print si ...

, 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. Beginning with "Searchin'" and " Young Blood" in 1957, their most memorable songs were written by the songwriting and producing ...

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" William ...

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 Class Records was an American record label established in Los Angeles, California in 1951 by songwriter and record producer Leon René. Leon René and his brother Otis had previously established and run the independent rhythm and blues labels E ...

. He worked with

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

and

Larry Williams Larry Williams (born Lawrence Eugene Williams, a.k.a. Lawrence Edward Williams; May 10, 1935 – January 7, 1980) was an American rhythm and blues and rock and roll singer, songwriter, producer, and pianist from New Orleans, Louisiana. Williams ...

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, credited to Harris, Leiber and S ...

, the co-writer of one of The Coasters' hits, " Shoppin' For Clothes" 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 musician, singer, and songwriter. He was an influential figure in popular music and culture for seven decades. Described as the " ...

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