Ray Cooper : Percussionist

 

The world's greatest tambourine player in rock music, Ray Cooper was born in Hertfordshire, England in 1947.

Ray Cooper has worked on and off through the years with Elton John. That means that he's not one of the guys who's been with him " all the way ", even though has he offered the most memorable and remembered impressions in Elton's concerts.

But why is it that your connect Ray with brilliant work on stage? Maybe because of the words drama, charisma and madness come to mind when you see the legendary concert from Russia, 1979. It was a concert where Elton was accompanied by Ray only. You wouldn't call this an " ordinary " nice and easy " solo concert ". It was a concert full of intense rock'n' roll even thought there's no guitar or bass, you don't miss anything. Those two people on stage are a whole band.

People are surprised what this man can do with " simple " instruments, but his personality shines through. Because of his wild eyes, granny glasses and black clothes he'd been given nicknames like " The graveyard digger "

When he takes his audience in his hands, in his own manic way with his drums, tambourines and other rhythm instruments, you know that he is a very special musician.

Since R. C's musical start in the early 1960'ies, has he worked with many famous artists: Eric Clapton, The Who, The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Paul McCartney for example. Some of his earlier work included the band " Blue Mink " and Carly Simon. Later he worked on the Rolling Stones record " It's Only Rock'n'Roll " ( 1974 )