SHIPPENSBURG, PA (May 7, 2012) - The H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center at Shippensburg University presents CORNELL GUNTER'S COASTERS, BOBBY HENDRICKS DRIFTERS & THE PLATTERS, Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 8 p.m. Reserved tickets are $39, $34, $29 & $25 and are on sale now. A group discount is available for groups of 20 or more. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Luhrs Center Box Office at 717.477.SHOW (7469) or online at luhrscenter.com.

Three of the most renowned groups from the fifties will provide a spectacular evening of familiar hits and memories when they gather to perform on the same stage for one performance in Shippensburg.

Cornell Gunter's Coasters:

Like aging football players or silent movie stars, the popular 1950's groups all seemed headed for their new lives following the 50's limelight. Enter Cornell Gunter. Cornell believed that The Coasters could be reborn. In fact, he believed that all of the groups from that era could be reborn, and thrive as live performing groups and ultimately he led the way to what was soon to become known as "the rock revival." All that was needed was to take the original music and present it in a way that gave each group a modern theatrical approach to their presentation. More important, he developed an approach to 1950's music that lent itself to constant innovation.

And slowly but surely, the fans returned to hear the familiar hits such as "Charlie Brown," "Yakety-Yak," and "Young Blood,". So unique was Cornell's approach to The Coasters' music and 1950's music in general, that within a year, Cornell Gunter's Coasters were headlining in Las Vegas for six months out of the year. Soon, The Drifters, The Platters and other 1950's groups following Cornell's lead, were reconstituted as live performing groups, all with their own unique style. By 1969, came the first oldies stations and oldies shows that still fascinate the country's musical taste today. And by the early 1970's, all of the original Coasters had formed their own individual groups of Coasters and were touring extensively, both separately and on certain occasions, together.

Over the years, Cornell Gunter's Coasters has continually built up a new market for their approach to 1950's music. If you've seen the live show, you know that Cornell Gunter's Coasters have a surprise in store for the audience. Today, they are as much of a comedy act as a singing group. It's The Coasters' music through the eyes of Salvador Dali. It's definitely not your mother's music.

Bobby Hendricks Drifters:

Bobby Hendricks began with "The Drifters" in 1957 singing his original hit "Drip Drop." The group today gives the songs of the past style and class with their famous patented choreography and blends a tasteful

mixture of their million dollar sellers with contemporary standards, many in a medley format. Bobby Hendricks Drifters' performance today provides the same style, charisma and history as found with some of the original singers such as Clyde McPhatter, Bill Pinkney, Johnny Moore, Bobby Hendricks and others.

From their first recordings of "Money Honey," that gave the group their first overnight success, to "Such a Night," and their calypso-influenced song, "Honey Love," Bobby Hendricks Drifters continue to reach the success their songs made on the R & B charts long ago.

The Platters:

The Platters first formed during the dawn of the Rock & Roll era, in the early part of the 1950's . At the outset, the group included five teenagers, Tony Williams (their legendary first lead singer), along with Zola Taylor, Herb Reed, Paul Robi and David Lynch. Under the direction of their famed manager, Buck Ram, and continuing to this day under the direction of his company, Five Platters, Inc., some of the greatest singers in rock & roll history have passed through this group.

The list of hits turned out by the original Platters includes 10 songs that qualified for Billboard's list of the 500 greatest Rock & Roll hits of all time, including three in the top 50. They have had 21 top 10 records, nine million selling singles, five platinum albums and five #1 songs. Their total record sales exceed 200 million, making them one of the top 25 selling artists of all time.

It has been nearly 30 years since the last original member left The Platters and still the group remains one of the most popular in Rock & Roll history, continuing their popularity by becoming one of the most sought after performing groups in the country. Over the years, the greatest of care has been taken to assure that each new member of The Platters carries on the tradition and maintains the skills that were associated with the original group.

For additional information about this performance or other performances within the 2011-2012 Luhrs Center series, call the Luhrs Center Box Office at 717.477.SHOW (7469) or visit the Luhrs Center website at luhrscenter.com.

About the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center at Shippensburg University

The mission of the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center at Shippensburg University is to support and enhance the University's role in academic and cultural enrichment for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Luhrs Center's 1,500-seat state-of-the-art Grove Theatre is where programs to educate, enlighten and entertain are presented. Benefits of the Center to the region include expanding opportunities to participate in a wide range of cultural programming including full-scale Broadway companies, musical groups, symphonies, dance troupes and internationally known speakers. In addition, it adds options for professional training programs, youth programs and senior citizen programs; attracts regional and national business conferences, professional meetings and planning sessions; and additional visitors to the area which will result in a positive impact on the local and regional economy.