The Coasters thanked Rep. Elaine Makas, D-Lewiston, and Rep. Stan Gerzofsky, D-Brunswick, for their “truth in music advertising” bill. In back from the left are Joe Lance Williams, Alvin Morse and Thomas Palmer; front, Carl Gardner Jr., Gerzofsky, Makas and Ronald Bright.

Coasters thank Makas for ‘truth in music’ bill

BRUNSWICK – Rep. Elaine Makas, D-Lewiston, joined Rep. Stan Gerzofsky, D-Brunswick, at the Coasters concert in Brunswick on July 25 at the invitation of the members of the band and their families.

The band members asked the representatives to attend in order to thank them for passing LD 686, An Act to Ensure Truth in Music Advertising.

The law prohibits musical groups from advertising or performing under false or misleading representation of another musical group. The bill requires that a band contain at least one authentic member of the band if they are performing under a band’s name.

There is an effort to pass such legislation throughout the United States. Maine is among the first 10 states to do so and several more are considering passage of the law.

“I was a newcomer to the campaign to stop this kind of consumer fraud. I read about it and got angry – angry because someone was misusing the names and demeaning the contributions of groups such as the Platters, the Coasters and the Drifters, who meant so much to me in the ’50s and ’60s,” said Makas, the lead sponsor of the legislation.

“For all the wonderful memories they gave me, I felt I owed them this – to do what I could as a legislator to protect their legacy. To now be able to see ‘the real deal,’ the superstars of my youth, perform live after we successfully passed the bill is just a thrill and an honor.”

The Coasters first hit the charts in 1956 with the song “Down in Mexico.” In 1958, their smash hits “Yakety Yak” and “Charlie Brown” remained No. 1 and 2 on the charts for several weeks.

Led by Carl Gardner Jr., the son of founding member Carl Gardner, the Coasters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

“We are so thankful to Elaine and her colleagues in the Maine Legislature,” said Veta Gardner, widow of Carl Gardner Sr. “You all should be proud that Maine joined this rapidly growing movement to prevent unscrupulous promoters from peddling a counterfeit product to unsuspecting organizations and individuals.”