The Cooper Brothers
Encyclopedia
The Cooper Brothers are a 70s Canadian southern rock
band founded in Ottawa
, Ontario
, by brothers Brian Cooper and Dick Cooper
and their long-time friend Terry King. Starting in 1974, the band released several singles under the production guidance of Les Emmerson
(of the Canadian rock group Five Man Electrical Band
, best known for the popular 70’s anthem “Signs”). The group had some early regional success with the tracks “Finally (With You) ” and “Miss Lonelyhearts” under the Polydor label.
The band first gained international attention in the summer of 1978 when they signed with producer Gary Cape and then he signed the band to a long term major contract with Capricorn Records
(famous for producing several of the most popular southern-rock acts of the time including: The Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, Wet Willie and Elvin Bishop
). Over the next few years the Cooper Brothers released two albums produced by Cape under the Capricorn label, the self-titled, The Cooper Brothers and Pitfalls of the Ballroom. Both albums sold extremely well and the singles “The Dream Never Dies”, “Show Some Emotion” and “I’ll Know Her When I See Her”, all charted on The Billboard Hot 100.
Among their many critical accolades, the Cooper Brothers were voted Best New Group in 1978, Best MOR Group in 1979 and Best Overall Group in 1980 by Canadian Contemporary Music Programmers. In 1980, “The Dream Never Dies” also earned an A.S.C.A.P Award as one of the most performed songs on U.S radio. The song has subsequently been recorded by several other artists including Bill Anderson and Juice Newton
, and was also the title theme for a feature length documentary on Canada’s National Ski team.
At the height of their career the band toured extensively throughout North America, opening for such diverse artists as: The Doobie Brothers
, Black Oak Arkansas
, Joe Cocker
, Charlie Daniels
, Atlanta Rhythm Section
, McGuinn, Clark and Hillman and Seals and Crofts
. In addition, the band worked with some of the most prolific musicians of the day including Chuck Leavell
- the current keyboardist for The Rolling Stones
- who played on the Cooper Brothers’ track “Ridin High.”
Despite their success, the band faced a dramatic transformation in late 1980, when Capricorn Records folded. The band however, would once again go into the studio with Cape producing but now the band was joined by Les Emmerson of Five Man Electrical Band. One more album was produced Learning to Live with It but with little success this time. Les Emmerson now lending his experience and expertise, the Cooper Brothers produced one last album – Reach for the Sky. This last album went unreleased and the band members parted ways shortly after in 1983.
In October 2006, the Cooper Brothers would reunite to release a CD collection of their most popular tracks entitled: The Best of the Cooper Brothers under the EMI
/Pacemaker label and the band performed for the first time on stage in over twenty years.
This led to a number of sold-out live dates throughout Southern Ontario including a memorable Ottawa Bluesfest
concert with the band opening up for James Taylor
in front of a crowd of over 25,000 people. The experience sparked Richard Cooper's muse again and he began writing songs. Before long the brothers had enough material for a new album and approached respected musician/producer and old friend Colin Linden
. "When I heard the songs, I thought they sounded timeless. They were brimming with ideas. They weren't trivial and they were musically and lyrically so well thought out..." said Linden.
In September 2009 with Colin at the helm, the brothers went to Masterlink Studio in Nashville (Where Neil Young
recorded Desert Moon) to begin recording with an impressive line-up of session musicians including: Audley Freed
(Black Crowes, Jakob Dylan, Dixie Chicks) Dan Dugmore (Linda Rostadt, James Taylor) Kevin McKendree (Brian Seltzer, Lee Roy Parnell) Lynn Williams
(John Hiatt, Delbert McClinton) and Steve Mackey
(Trisha Yearwood)
"Nashville was so much fun," said Richard Cooper after the fall 2009 recording sessions. "Playing alongside musicians of that calibre was inspiring and Colin certainly managed to capture the vision I had for these songs... and then some."
After additional recording back in Ottawa and Toronto the CD was mixed in L.A. by John Whynot
who has produced such artists as Colin James, Bruce Cockburn and Lucinda Williams.
In February 2010 the new Cooper Brothers album entitled "IN FROM THE COLD" will be released, featuring 12 brand new songs. The new CD also features a number of guest artists including Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy
and - perhaps coming full circle - Capricorn alumni Delbert McClinton
and Chuck Leavell
.
Southern rock
Southern rock is a subgenre of rock music, and genre of Americana. It developed in the Southern United States from rock and roll, country music, and blues, and is focused generally on electric guitar and vocals...
band founded in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, by brothers Brian Cooper and Dick Cooper
Dick Cooper
Dick Cooper is a musician and writer based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.A founding member of the popular 70s Canadian southern-rock band The Cooper Brothers, he toured extensively throughout North America and helped the band achieve several hits under the Capricorn Records label, including a number...
and their long-time friend Terry King. Starting in 1974, the band released several singles under the production guidance of Les Emmerson
Les Emmerson
Les Emmerson is the lead vocalist and guitarist for the band Five Man Electrical Band. He also recorded as a solo artist, charting in Canada with "Cry Your Eyes Out"....
(of the Canadian rock group Five Man Electrical Band
Five Man Electrical Band
The Five Man Electrical Band was a rock group from Canada's capital city of Ottawa, best known for their 1971 hit single "Signs"....
, best known for the popular 70’s anthem “Signs”). The group had some early regional success with the tracks “Finally (With You) ” and “Miss Lonelyhearts” under the Polydor label.
The band first gained international attention in the summer of 1978 when they signed with producer Gary Cape and then he signed the band to a long term major contract with Capricorn Records
Capricorn Records
Capricorn Records was an independent record label which was launched by Phil Walden, Alan Walden, and Frank Fenter in 1969 in Macon, Georgia.-First Incarnation:...
(famous for producing several of the most popular southern-rock acts of the time including: The Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, Wet Willie and Elvin Bishop
Elvin Bishop
Elvin Bishop is an American blues and rock and roll musician and guitarist.-Career:Bishop was born in Glendale, California, and grew up on a farm near Elliott, Iowa. His family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, when he was ten years old...
). Over the next few years the Cooper Brothers released two albums produced by Cape under the Capricorn label, the self-titled, The Cooper Brothers and Pitfalls of the Ballroom. Both albums sold extremely well and the singles “The Dream Never Dies”, “Show Some Emotion” and “I’ll Know Her When I See Her”, all charted on The Billboard Hot 100.
Among their many critical accolades, the Cooper Brothers were voted Best New Group in 1978, Best MOR Group in 1979 and Best Overall Group in 1980 by Canadian Contemporary Music Programmers. In 1980, “The Dream Never Dies” also earned an A.S.C.A.P Award as one of the most performed songs on U.S radio. The song has subsequently been recorded by several other artists including Bill Anderson and Juice Newton
Juice Newton
Judith Kay "Juice" Newton is an American Pop music and Country singer, songwriter and guitarist...
, and was also the title theme for a feature length documentary on Canada’s National Ski team.
At the height of their career the band toured extensively throughout North America, opening for such diverse artists as: The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band. The group has sold over 40 million units worldwide throughout their career. The Doobie Brothers were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.-Original incarnation:...
, Black Oak Arkansas
Black Oak Arkansas
Black Oak Arkansas is an American Southern rock band named after the band's hometown of Black Oak, Arkansas. The band reached the height of its fame in the 1970s with ten charting albums released in that decade...
, Joe Cocker
Joe Cocker
John Robert "Joe" Cocker, OBE is an English rock and blues musician, composer and actor, who came to popularity in the 1960s, and is most known for his gritty voice, his idiosyncratic arm movements while performing, and his cover versions of popular songs, particularly those of The Beatles...
, Charlie Daniels
Charlie Daniels
Charles Edward "Charlie" Daniels is an American musician known for his contributions to country and southern rock music. He is known primarily for his number one country hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia", and multiple other songs he has performed and written. Daniels has been active as a singer...
, Atlanta Rhythm Section
Atlanta Rhythm Section
The Atlanta Rhythm Section, sometimes abbreviated ARS, is an American southern rock band. In 1970 former members of the Candymen and the Classics IV joined together and became the session band for the newly opened Studio One in Doraville, Georgia....
, McGuinn, Clark and Hillman and Seals and Crofts
Seals and Crofts
Seals and Crofts is a band made up of Jim Seals and Dash Crofts . The soft rock duo was one of the most successful musical acts of the 1970s. They are best known for their hits "Summer Breeze" and "Diamond Girl"...
. In addition, the band worked with some of the most prolific musicians of the day including Chuck Leavell
Chuck Leavell
Chuck Leavell is an American pianist and keyboardist, who was a member of The Allman Brothers Band throughout the height of their popularity, a founding member of the jazz-rock combo Sea Level, a frequently-employed session musician, and later, the keyboardist for Eric Clapton and The Rolling...
- the current keyboardist for The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
- who played on the Cooper Brothers’ track “Ridin High.”
Despite their success, the band faced a dramatic transformation in late 1980, when Capricorn Records folded. The band however, would once again go into the studio with Cape producing but now the band was joined by Les Emmerson of Five Man Electrical Band. One more album was produced Learning to Live with It but with little success this time. Les Emmerson now lending his experience and expertise, the Cooper Brothers produced one last album – Reach for the Sky. This last album went unreleased and the band members parted ways shortly after in 1983.
In October 2006, the Cooper Brothers would reunite to release a CD collection of their most popular tracks entitled: The Best of the Cooper Brothers under the EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
/Pacemaker label and the band performed for the first time on stage in over twenty years.
This led to a number of sold-out live dates throughout Southern Ontario including a memorable Ottawa Bluesfest
Ottawa Bluesfest
The Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest is an annual outdoor music festival that takes place each July in downtown Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. While ostensibly focused on blues, the festival has increasingly showcased mainstream pop and rock acts in recent years...
concert with the band opening up for James Taylor
James Taylor
James Vernon Taylor is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Taylor was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000....
in front of a crowd of over 25,000 people. The experience sparked Richard Cooper's muse again and he began writing songs. Before long the brothers had enough material for a new album and approached respected musician/producer and old friend Colin Linden
Colin Linden
Colin Linden is a Canadian musician, songwriter and record producer. He has worked with a wide variety of artists including Bruce Cockburn, Lucinda Williams, T-Bone Burnett, Colin James, Leon Redbone, Rita Chiarelli, Chris Thomas King and The Band.Linden is primarily a electric blues guitarist,...
. "When I heard the songs, I thought they sounded timeless. They were brimming with ideas. They weren't trivial and they were musically and lyrically so well thought out..." said Linden.
In September 2009 with Colin at the helm, the brothers went to Masterlink Studio in Nashville (Where Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
recorded Desert Moon) to begin recording with an impressive line-up of session musicians including: Audley Freed
Audley Freed
thumb|250px|Audley Freed playing with [[New Earth Mud]] on June 28, 2004 at [[Irving Plaza]], [[New York]]Audley Freed is a guitarist. He started his professional career on the Southeastern club and fraternity circuit. He then formed the band Cry of Love, which was signed to Columbia Records and...
(Black Crowes, Jakob Dylan, Dixie Chicks) Dan Dugmore (Linda Rostadt, James Taylor) Kevin McKendree (Brian Seltzer, Lee Roy Parnell) Lynn Williams
Lynn Williams
Lynn Kanuka-Williams is a Canadian athlete who competed mainly in the 3,000 metres. She was born in Regina, Saskatchewan....
(John Hiatt, Delbert McClinton) and Steve Mackey
Steve Mackey
Steve Mackey is a British musician and record producer best known for playing bass guitar in the band Pulp. He also played bass for Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker in the latter's solo career, and worked as a songwriter and producer with artists such as M.I.A...
(Trisha Yearwood)
"Nashville was so much fun," said Richard Cooper after the fall 2009 recording sessions. "Playing alongside musicians of that calibre was inspiring and Colin certainly managed to capture the vision I had for these songs... and then some."
After additional recording back in Ottawa and Toronto the CD was mixed in L.A. by John Whynot
John Whynot
John Whynot is a Canadian musician, producer, engineer, film score mixer and composer. Originally based in Toronto, since 1989 he has resided in Los Angeles....
who has produced such artists as Colin James, Bruce Cockburn and Lucinda Williams.
In February 2010 the new Cooper Brothers album entitled "IN FROM THE COLD" will be released, featuring 12 brand new songs. The new CD also features a number of guest artists including Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy
Jim Cuddy
Jim Cuddy is a Canadian singer-songwriter primarily associated with the band Blue Rodeo. He has also recorded three solo albums with the Jim Cuddy Band, which features musicians Bazil Donovan, Colin Cripps, Joel Anderson, Anne Lindsay and Gavin Brown...
and - perhaps coming full circle - Capricorn alumni Delbert McClinton
Delbert McClinton
Delbert McClinton is an American blues rock and electric blues singer-songwriter, guitarist, harmonica player, and pianist....
and Chuck Leavell
Chuck Leavell
Chuck Leavell is an American pianist and keyboardist, who was a member of The Allman Brothers Band throughout the height of their popularity, a founding member of the jazz-rock combo Sea Level, a frequently-employed session musician, and later, the keyboardist for Eric Clapton and The Rolling...
.