John Cooper (musician)
Encyclopedia
John Landrum Cooper professionally credited as John L. Cooper, is an American musician. He has been the lead singer and bassist
of the Grammy-nominated Christian rock
band Skillet
since 1996.
. The band released a four-song demo, titled Silence E.P., before disbanding. The track listing was "Alone", "Silence", "Wild Honey", and "Fading Love".
in 1996 with Ken Steorts. Both had met while touring for previous bands; John as vocalist for the Tennessee progressive rock band Seraph
and Ken Steorts guitarist for Urgent Cry. The bands disbanded soon after, so John and Ken's pastor encouraged them to form their own band as a side-project. Coming from different styles of rock music, they decided to name the experiment Skillet. Soon afterwards Trey McClurkin joined the band as a temporary drummer. Skillet was only together for a month when they received interest from major Christian record label ForeFront Records
and were signed soon afterwards. Ken Steorts left the band in 1999 and Trey McClurkin left the band in 2000 leaving John as the only founding member of the band and primary songwriter.
John was the co writer of the Decyfer Down
single "Best I Can."
He also sang on Tobymac
's album Tonight
on the title track.
Cooper is married to Korey Cooper
, the keyboardist, and guitar
ist for Skillet
. Both have tattooed wedding rings on their fingers, instead of the traditional jewelry bands. They have two children: Alexandria (born in 2002), and Xavier (born in 2005).
During a 2010 Creation Festival YLO Interview, John revealed that "early on, we decided we would never have kids on the road. We were not going to do it. And then God spoke to us later, just showing that God can change our minds, right? So then God starts speaking to me about kids, and I was like "Really? But we made a decision NOT to do it." and God's like "I don't care." So...that's how that happened! It was a big shock, because we were really against that, but then again we didn't know that Skillet
would be going this long. I didn't know that I'd be 35 and still doing this."
Cooper is a huge fan of Dr Pepper
, and can often be seen drinking it in numerous Skillet podcasts. This happens so often that former Skillet guitarist Ben Kasica
referred to him as a professional soda connoisseur in one podcast. He has also started to like Ted's Escondido in Oklahoma City and collects life-sized posters of Spider-Man
and Batman
.
In one podcast he made a comment that his pet peeves are bare feet and getting wet. He said that when he goes to the beach he wears his tennis shoes because he doesn't like having sand and dirt on his feet. He hates looking at people's feet and getting into pools. His nickname, often mentioned in Skillet podcasts, is "Doggy".
An interest of John's that is often talked about during touring is his love for 80's music. In 2008 he stated humorously, "Any band with spandex and really big hair was my band. Stryper
all the way!" He often expresses his liking for mullets and 80's power ballads, saying "every good metal band has to have a power ballad". These interests are a common joke on tour between the fans and band members.
He says he is a peanut and yells it at random times. He plays a Traben Phoenix Bass. John has stated that his height is about 5 ft 11 and his shoe size is a 9. His favorite color is purple.
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
of the Grammy-nominated Christian rock
Christian rock
Christian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
band Skillet
Skillet (band)
Skillet is an American Christian rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1996. The band currently consists of husband and wife John and Korey Cooper , along with Jen Ledger and lead guitarist Seth Morrison. The band has released eight albums, two receiving Grammy nominations: Collide and Comatose...
since 1996.
Seraph
Cooper was briefly in experimental rock group SeraphSeraph (band)
Seraph was a Christian rock band from the early 90's based in Memphis, Tennessee. The band was first formed around 1989, and played several shows around the Midsouth area. They were the opening act for several big name Christian rock bands of the era, like Guardian and Mortal. In 1994, they were...
. The band released a four-song demo, titled Silence E.P., before disbanding. The track listing was "Alone", "Silence", "Wild Honey", and "Fading Love".
Skillet
John formed SkilletSkillet (band)
Skillet is an American Christian rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1996. The band currently consists of husband and wife John and Korey Cooper , along with Jen Ledger and lead guitarist Seth Morrison. The band has released eight albums, two receiving Grammy nominations: Collide and Comatose...
in 1996 with Ken Steorts. Both had met while touring for previous bands; John as vocalist for the Tennessee progressive rock band Seraph
Seraph (band)
Seraph was a Christian rock band from the early 90's based in Memphis, Tennessee. The band was first formed around 1989, and played several shows around the Midsouth area. They were the opening act for several big name Christian rock bands of the era, like Guardian and Mortal. In 1994, they were...
and Ken Steorts guitarist for Urgent Cry. The bands disbanded soon after, so John and Ken's pastor encouraged them to form their own band as a side-project. Coming from different styles of rock music, they decided to name the experiment Skillet. Soon afterwards Trey McClurkin joined the band as a temporary drummer. Skillet was only together for a month when they received interest from major Christian record label ForeFront Records
ForeFront Records
ForeFront Records is a Christian Music record label founded in 1987 by Dan R. Brock, Eddie DeGarmo, Dana Key, and Ron W. Griffin. It was purchased by EMI in 1996 from current owners Dan R. Brock and Eddie DeGarmo and is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group.In 1998, ForeFront released a 2-CD...
and were signed soon afterwards. Ken Steorts left the band in 1999 and Trey McClurkin left the band in 2000 leaving John as the only founding member of the band and primary songwriter.
Other compilations
John provided vocals for !Hero: The Rock Opera. According to a review, Cooper did not tour with the rock opera, he only provided vocals for the Rabbi Kai on the soundtrack.John was the co writer of the Decyfer Down
Decyfer Down
Decyfer Down is a Rock band formed in 1999 and based in Morehead City, North Carolina. Up until 2002–the year that Chris Clonts joined the band–they went by the moniker Allysonhymn . Following Clonts' arrival they switched to the current name, Decyfer Down...
single "Best I Can."
He also sang on Tobymac
TobyMac
Toby McKeehan , better known by his stage name TobyMac , is a Christian recording artist, music producer, hip-hop/pop artist, singer-songwriter, and author....
's album Tonight
Tonight (TobyMac album)
Tonight is the fourth solo album from the Christian pop–hip hop artist TobyMac. It is the follow-up album to his 2007 release Portable Sounds, and was released on February 9, 2010. The Deluxe Version of the album will contain a DVD containing interviews with Toby about the songs on the record, the...
on the title track.
Personal life
John Cooper has stated on numerous occasions that he was born and raised in a very religious family and atmosphere. "You couldn't wear black, you couldn't listen to anything with drums, anything with guitars, you couldn't have long hair, you couldn't do this and you couldn't do that. Everything was so lifeless. I know I'd read the Bible and be like...'This isn't what the Bible says. I like the idea of living for Jesus, but I hate the idea of living for you.' Ya know?" (Creation Festival 2010, YLO Interview)Cooper is married to Korey Cooper
Korey Cooper
Korey Cooper is the keyboardist, guitarist, and backing vocalist for the Christian Rock band Skillet. Her husband, John Cooper, is the lead singer and bassist of the band, as well as one of the founding members...
, the keyboardist, and guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
ist for Skillet
Skillet (band)
Skillet is an American Christian rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1996. The band currently consists of husband and wife John and Korey Cooper , along with Jen Ledger and lead guitarist Seth Morrison. The band has released eight albums, two receiving Grammy nominations: Collide and Comatose...
. Both have tattooed wedding rings on their fingers, instead of the traditional jewelry bands. They have two children: Alexandria (born in 2002), and Xavier (born in 2005).
During a 2010 Creation Festival YLO Interview, John revealed that "early on, we decided we would never have kids on the road. We were not going to do it. And then God spoke to us later, just showing that God can change our minds, right? So then God starts speaking to me about kids, and I was like "Really? But we made a decision NOT to do it." and God's like "I don't care." So...that's how that happened! It was a big shock, because we were really against that, but then again we didn't know that Skillet
Skillet (band)
Skillet is an American Christian rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1996. The band currently consists of husband and wife John and Korey Cooper , along with Jen Ledger and lead guitarist Seth Morrison. The band has released eight albums, two receiving Grammy nominations: Collide and Comatose...
would be going this long. I didn't know that I'd be 35 and still doing this."
Cooper is a huge fan of Dr Pepper
Dr Pepper
Dr Pepper is a soft drink, marketed as having a unique flavor. The drink was created in the 1880s by Charles Alderton of Waco, Texas and first served around 1885. Dr Pepper was first nationally marketed in the United States in 1904 and is now also sold in Europe, Asia, Canada, Mexico, Australia ...
, and can often be seen drinking it in numerous Skillet podcasts. This happens so often that former Skillet guitarist Ben Kasica
Ben Kasica
Benjamin Judah Kasica is the former lead guitarist for the Christian rock band Skillet. He joined the band in 2001 at the age of sixteen, and recorded the albums Collide, Comatose and Awake with them...
referred to him as a professional soda connoisseur in one podcast. He has also started to like Ted's Escondido in Oklahoma City and collects life-sized posters of Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
and Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
.
In one podcast he made a comment that his pet peeves are bare feet and getting wet. He said that when he goes to the beach he wears his tennis shoes because he doesn't like having sand and dirt on his feet. He hates looking at people's feet and getting into pools. His nickname, often mentioned in Skillet podcasts, is "Doggy".
An interest of John's that is often talked about during touring is his love for 80's music. In 2008 he stated humorously, "Any band with spandex and really big hair was my band. Stryper
Stryper
Stryper is a Christian glam metal band from Orange County, California. The group's lineup consists of Michael Sweet , Oz Fox , Tim Gaines , and Robert Sweet...
all the way!" He often expresses his liking for mullets and 80's power ballads, saying "every good metal band has to have a power ballad". These interests are a common joke on tour between the fans and band members.
He says he is a peanut and yells it at random times. He plays a Traben Phoenix Bass. John has stated that his height is about 5 ft 11 and his shoe size is a 9. His favorite color is purple.