R&B pioneer King Coleman, singer on ‘(Do The) Mashed Potatoes,’ dies in Miami at age 78

R&B pioneer King Coleman dies in Miami; was 78

MIAMI — Carlton “King” Coleman, a pioneer in American rhythm and blues, has died from heart failure at a Miami hospice. He was 78.

Tony Coleman said his father passed away early Saturday morning.

The elder Coleman was known for providing the lead vocals on the 1959 hit “(Do The) Mashed Potatoes,” recorded with James Brown’s band. He also released numerous singles of his own during his singing career, including “The Boo Boo Song.”

Coleman worked many years as a radio disc jockey. He started at Tampa’s WTMP and eventually moved on to Miami’s WFEC. He finally ended up at Miami’s WMBM, where he was one of the city’s most popular DJs in the late 1950s.

Coleman returned to the airwaves in recent years with a nightly show on WMBM, now a gospel station.