Delighted to have seen both in what was then The Whitla Hall, Queen’s University, Belfast, March 1979. Slept on the street to stay up front to get tickets. Absolutely amazing! At that time, because of the unrest, no other music stars where coming. Brilliant😄
I've seen Elton in concert 31 times and when Ray was there it was always different. He was so theatrical and you just really got into him enjoying his craft. He was just amazing to watch and listen to and his solos were incredible. I saw only Elton and Ray together at the Tabernacle in Atlanta decades ago and such a small venue and it was just so different and everyone was so close. Just remarkable.
I’ve had the privilege of seeing Ray Cooper with Elton’s band just a few days ago - made me hunt down more vids with him in it; he is nothing short of AMAZING! I could totally tell he is really into the music, feeling it deep inside...and that’s what I believe makes part of a terrific and effortless musician!
Remember watching on TV way back when of Elton's tour of the old USSR. Ray Cooper was him. Can't remember Ray saying anything on the documentary. Hearing him talking to Dave Lawrence now he comes across in a positive way and a lovely soul. That said though, I just can't help but think of Ray sounding like Whispering Bob Harris with the volume knob whacked all the way up. Lovely stuff. Great conversation.
Ray Cooper is absolutely mesmerizing. I've seen him with Elton for the better part of 5 decades. He draws you in. He is not only an amazing percussionist, he is a quintessential entertainer. I love Elton's songs; I am amazed by Ray's stage presence.
Thanks for this lovely interview. I know Ray personally but didn't see him in a few years. Today is his birthday. Love you Ray, a wonderful man, a most talented musician, a film producer and a real gentleman.
OMG how calm this legend is.. Considering his enery and madness on the stage, I was shocked when I saw this :) Very cool guy in general, and sadly they did not gave him enough credit.. This man is a great musician.
I don't recall the year at all, but my sister and I went to see EJ in MI. The traffic was terrible, and we thought we had missed the concert being stuck in that awful lineup. EJ refused to start until everyone was there. When Cooper did his part, we were GOBSMACKED. Everyone was SCREAMING. He was SO awesome.
My wife and I used to joke about the crazy looking guy on percussion for Elton and all the others. Who is he? Why is he always there? Now, hearing him talk - I know. What a wonderful person.
There will never be a percussionist that's talented or as nuts as Ray Cooper. He's a one off and Elton is very lucky to have him for one more time on the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. He adds so much to the shows.
I saw Ray with Elton in 1974 in Atlanta as a young teenager. He was as fun to watch and listen to as Elton. More recently in DC in September. He hasn't missed a beat.
What a moment with giants, a true moment without gravity listening to the beautiful voice of Mr Ray Cooper. Such respect and love to everyone in the business. Ray looking up to everyone, despite working with the greatest. And that voice!
One man orchestra. He played the Yamaha CP80 grand at Elton's solo shows during the late 70's. I was in attendance in Chicago when the two performed, Ray is Elton's equal and then some musically.
Every Elton concert I attended where Ray Cooper was on percussion was a treat. One of the best was a concert at the Berkley Community Theater in 1979, A solo performance Elton on piano and Ray on percussion.
Mr. Ray Cooper is very instrumental in me loving percussion so much! Some of it is in my blood, my Grandmother taught me how to play the spoons as a small child and then drumming circles where I just love percussion of all kinds! Thank you Ray Cooper for your inspiration!
Ray Percussionist Cooper, I first noticed him when I heard him on the song from Funeral For A Friend and then on the radio on a tour in Russia with Elton back in 1979. . I didn't know anything about him. Check him out playing the percussion, on TH-cam with Elton in Russia.
ITS VERY CLEAR WHY THE SORELY MISSED GEORGE HARRISON WAS A FRIND OF RAY'S. TWO SIMILAR SOULS IN LIFES JOURNEY WHO HONOURED EACH OTHER AND LOVED EACH OTHER. A MAGNIFICENT INTERVIEW FROM A MAN WHO IS SO HUMBLE BUT SO TALENTED IN HIS FIELD. I THOROUGHLY NJOYED LISTENING TO HIM.
At 13:22 the interviewer says that we're lucky to have the video. Either there's video I've never seen from John's Thanksgiving 74 MSG with Elton, or he's confused and talking about the Concert for George which would suggest he wasn't listening to what Ray just said.
Elt and Ray should of made a record of just piano and percussion. No other band members...spare and austere produced by Gus Dusgeon, T-bone Burnett, or Dan Lanois even...someone sympathetic to the cause. Maybe those Buckmaster strings on one...just a dream
anyone interested in how this would work should check out the concert featuring just these two at the Greek Theatre LA circa1991 eg Take Me to the Pilot, on TH-cam which is incomparable
Yes Mr. Cooper has been used extensively in the rock genre, especially with English artists. Great stage presence, very flashy at times and seems to be a genuinely nice guy. As far as his playing is concerned, there are plenty of Salsa and Afro-Cuban percussionists with tons more chops. Lenny Castro for example, a much more well rounded player.
![Elton John Aquarius 1971 [Rare Documentary]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/VDY2w-8S2Ng/mqdefault.jpg)
There’s a reason he’s collaborated with every musical giant on the planet...not only is he a great percussionist...but a genuinely nice man...
Delighted to have seen both in what was then The Whitla Hall, Queen’s University, Belfast, March 1979. Slept on the street to stay up front to get tickets. Absolutely amazing! At that time, because of the unrest, no other music stars where coming. Brilliant😄
I've seen Elton in concert 31 times and when Ray was there it was always different. He was so theatrical and you just really got into him enjoying his craft. He was just amazing to watch and listen to and his solos were incredible. I saw only Elton and Ray together at the Tabernacle in Atlanta decades ago and such a small venue and it was just so different and everyone was so close. Just remarkable.
Wow 31 times ❤
Ray Cooper is as much a Legend as Sir Elton is. Much Respect for this genuine Man.
Elton's concerts were always different when Ray was there.
Hard to see that wild, crazy, hugely talented percussionist in the calm, poised, gentle, intelligent man in this interview. You have to love him.
I’ve had the privilege of seeing Ray Cooper with Elton’s band just a few days ago - made me hunt down more vids with him in it; he is nothing short of AMAZING! I could totally tell he is really into the music, feeling it deep inside...and that’s what I believe makes part of a terrific and effortless musician!
Remember watching on TV way back when of Elton's tour of the old USSR. Ray Cooper was him. Can't remember Ray saying anything on the documentary. Hearing him talking to Dave Lawrence now he comes across in a positive way and a lovely soul.
That said though, I just can't help but think of Ray sounding like Whispering Bob Harris with the volume knob whacked all the way up. Lovely stuff. Great conversation.
There should be more stuff on Ray Cooper on TH-cam! He´s such a very interesting character!
And so soft spoken.
I love that guy.
Ray Cooper is absolutely mesmerizing. I've seen him with Elton for the better part of 5 decades. He draws you in. He is not only an amazing percussionist, he is a quintessential entertainer. I love Elton's songs; I am amazed by Ray's stage presence.
Great interview! Nice to see a reporterwhi knows his stuff and lets Ray talk
Is he still alive?
I don't remember many musicians from my childhood/teen years but Ray Cooper was an amazing guy- character and so much rhythm. A man to aspire too.
What a great interview. Good questions, but most importantly, letting ray speak. Many thanks
Thanks for this lovely interview. I know Ray personally but didn't see him in a few years. Today is his birthday.
Love you Ray, a wonderful man, a most talented musician, a film producer and a real gentleman.
OMG how calm this legend is.. Considering his enery and madness on the stage, I was shocked when I saw this :) Very cool guy in general, and sadly they did not gave him enough credit.. This man is a great musician.
He gets plenty of credit... He's the most sorry after percussionist in Rock.
@@johnscialfa7391 Yeah agreed... Maybe i expressed myself a bit wrong.. He got plenty of credit but, he definitely deserved A LOT more. Cheers
I love the comments on this video. Ray is a force of nature; nobody is quite like him!
I don't recall the year at all, but my sister and I went to see EJ in MI. The traffic was terrible, and we thought we had missed the concert being stuck in that awful lineup. EJ refused to start until everyone was there. When Cooper did his part, we were GOBSMACKED. Everyone was SCREAMING. He was SO awesome.
This man understates everything he does, he is beyond humble and Ray adds so much to everything he is involved with.
Great conversation! Thanks for sharing the interview with this legend of a musician 😊
Absolutely fascinating interview......one of the best I've heard/seen....
Thank you Steve. Stay safe.
Thank you for this video of the interview!!! I so love Ray Cooper and am always looking for new videos featuring Ray.
Ray is 73 now and still has the same amount of energy he had over 40 yrs ago.
My wife and I used to joke about the crazy looking guy on percussion for Elton and all the others. Who is he? Why is he always there? Now, hearing him talk - I know. What a wonderful person.
I went to one of the concerts where it was just Elton and Ray. It was outstanding. I loved it!!!! That boy is a nut and makes the show so enjoyable.
He's still the crazy guy on percussion today.
There will never be a percussionist that's talented or as nuts as Ray Cooper. He's a one off and Elton is very lucky to have him for one more time on the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. He adds so much to the shows.
I saw Ray get out of a Mercedes van going to play a E J concert around 4 years ago…
Great interview ! And Ray Cooper, what a gentleman.
I saw Ray with Elton in 1974 in Atlanta as a young teenager. He was as fun to watch and listen to as Elton. More recently in DC in September. He hasn't missed a beat.
Ray Cooper and Jack Ashford (Motown). Huge personal influences of mine. Thank you for this.
Percussionists extraordinaire indeed
i wish these guys got paid more and more recognition very calm and talented man
What a moment with giants, a true moment without gravity listening to the beautiful voice of Mr Ray Cooper. Such respect and love to everyone in the business. Ray looking up to everyone, despite working with the greatest. And that voice!
One man orchestra. He played the Yamaha CP80 grand at Elton's solo shows during the late 70's. I was in attendance in Chicago when the two performed, Ray is Elton's equal and then some musically.
Couldn't agree more. Was a huge honor to do that one. Stay safe.
Just had the pleasure of seeing Ray’s incredible talent with Elton John ….what a wonderful human being.
Every Elton concert I attended where Ray Cooper was on percussion was a treat. One of the best was a concert at the Berkley Community Theater in 1979, A solo performance Elton on piano and Ray on percussion.
I heard about that , will search on utube
Mr. Ray Cooper is very instrumental in me loving percussion so much! Some of it is in my blood, my Grandmother taught me how to play the spoons as a small child and then drumming circles where I just love percussion of all kinds! Thank you Ray Cooper for your inspiration!
Ray Percussionist Cooper, I first noticed him when I heard him on the song from Funeral For A Friend and then on the radio on a tour in Russia with Elton back in 1979. . I didn't know anything about him. Check him out playing the percussion, on TH-cam with Elton in Russia.
a major part of rock you never hear about Ray Cooper
This guy is an absolute legend!
Ray was the percussionist of Rick Wakeman's first solo album (Six Wives of Henry VIII, 1973).
Fascinating interview, love it!
What a lovely man. I just saw him with Elton John in San Antonio. What a consumate performer and gentleman.
what a class act . love your work and what you bring to music.
Elton John did all that nice background music at the Ray Cooper concerts.
ITS VERY CLEAR WHY THE SORELY MISSED GEORGE HARRISON WAS A FRIND OF RAY'S. TWO SIMILAR SOULS IN LIFES JOURNEY WHO HONOURED EACH OTHER AND LOVED EACH OTHER. A MAGNIFICENT INTERVIEW FROM A MAN WHO IS SO HUMBLE BUT SO TALENTED IN HIS FIELD. I THOROUGHLY NJOYED LISTENING TO HIM.
What a lovley mild mannered and cool man I absolutly loved his parts in Eric Claptons 24 nights he is brilliant!
i got to see ray play with eric clapton. one of my great memories
Gran músico. Gran talento de este arte y un Ser muy cálido.
Grande Ray Cooper.
Also, check out, Mr. Ray Cooper, with other greats, Dire Straits frontman, Sting, And other geniuses, playing "Money for Nothing"
Ray Cooper is a kind hearted person
Fenomenal! Toca aun?
Sigue tocando!
WAY-O!!!
At 13:22 the interviewer says that we're lucky to have the video. Either there's video I've never seen from John's Thanksgiving 74 MSG with Elton, or he's confused and talking about the Concert for George which would suggest he wasn't listening to what Ray just said.
I know you probably don't recall ever commenting here,but still:He is referring to this video right here.
nickweems24 thanks Nick. Exactly.
❤️❤️
Elt and Ray should of made a record of just piano and percussion. No other band members...spare and austere produced by Gus Dusgeon, T-bone Burnett, or Dan Lanois even...someone sympathetic to the cause. Maybe those Buckmaster strings on one...just a dream
anyone interested in how this would work should check out the concert featuring just these two at the Greek Theatre LA circa1991
eg Take Me to the Pilot, on TH-cam
which is incomparable
Yes Mr. Cooper has been used extensively in the rock genre, especially with English artists. Great stage presence, very flashy at times and seems to be a genuinely nice guy. As far as his playing is concerned, there are plenty of Salsa and Afro-Cuban percussionists with tons more chops. Lenny Castro for example, a much more well rounded player.
Oh that's nice.
If it was 1975 then I think he's thinking of going to Barbados
Wow ray Cooper join like pink floyd the who Eric clapton roger waters Paul mccartney George harrison including Ringo Starr even elton john
WOW!! she speaks