After leaving that group, in 1956 Gardner formed the Coasters with the Robins' bass singer Bobby Nunn, Leon Hughes and Billy Guy, at the behest of the songwriting/producing team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, and had a two-sided hit in 1957, "Youngblood" (on which Gardner sang lead) and "Searchin'".
Among his compositions is "Shattered Dreams", recorded by the Johnny Burnette Trio, and he co-wrote "Here Comes Henry" for Young Jessie (with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller), both sides of the Ernie Fields 1958 single "Annie's Rock"/"Strollin' After School"(Jamie 1102) and "Lou Be Doo" for Sanford Clark.
"Tricky Dicky", a 1962 song by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, recorded by Richie Barrett and The Searchers among others
However, in 1954 Jessie signed a solo contract with producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, and began recording as "Young Jessie".
Tom and Jerry | Mike Tyson | Jerry Lee Lewis | Jerry Lewis | Jerry Garcia | Mike Oldfield | Mike Harris | Mike Nattrass | Jerry Brown | Mike Leigh | Jerry Seinfeld | Jerry Pournelle | Jerry | Mike Watt | Jerry Springer | Jerry Reed | Mike Mignola | Mike Gordon | Mike | Jerry Jeff Walker | Mike Nichols | Jerry Bruckheimer | Fritz Leiber | Jerry Goldsmith | Mike Rutherford | Mike Wallace | Mike Stern | Mike Huckabee | Mike Ditka | Jerry Stiller |
Also performing over the years at the "Salute To The American Songwriter" concerts were songwriting legends such as Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, Barry Mann, Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, Richard Sherman, John Bettis, Diane Warren, and many others.