K O O P E R
THE MAN...THE MYTH...THE LEGEND
THE LOST INTERVIEWS
EPISODE SIX
with Ray Shasho
THE MAN THAT DISCOVERED
LYNYRD SKYNYRD
SINGER, SONGWRITER, MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST
PRODUCER, MANAGER, SESSION PLAYER
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TO LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW
In the 1970s, he was a successful manager and producer, recording Lynyrd Skynyrd’s first three albums. He has had a successful solo career, writing music for film soundtracks, and has lectured in musical composition. Al Kooper was selected for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023. Kooper’s early life began in Brooklyn, New York City, where he was born into a Jewish family. He grew up in Hollis Hills, Queens, New York. His musical journey started as a 14-year-old guitarist in the Royal Teens, best known for their 1958 novelty song “Short Shorts.” Later, he teamed up with songwriters Bob Brass and Irwin Levine to write and record demos for Sea-Lark Music Publishing, resulting in hits like “This Diamond Ring” and “I Must Be Seeing Things.” His association with Bob Dylan led to performances playing the Hammond organ on “Like a Rolling Stone” and collaborations with guitarist Mike Bloomfield. Kooper also joined the Blues Project as their keyboardist in 1965.
Although he left the band before their gig at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, he played a solo set during the event. Kooper discovered Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1972 after watching several of their appearances at a frequented club in Atlanta. Al moved to Atlanta and signed the band to his new record label ‘Sounds of the South.’ (He would eventually sell the label to MCA Records). Al Kooper produced and performed on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s first (3) albums… (‘Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd, Second Helping, and Nuthin’Fancy). Also, on the singles “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Free Bird,” and “Saturday Night Special.” Al Kooper produced The Tubes, David Essex, Nils Lofgren, Rick Nelson, Ray Charles, The Staple Singers, Bob Dylan, and Lynyrd Skynyrd … to name just a few. He also played and arranged three tracks on George Harrison’s ‘Somewhere in England’ album and performed with the remaining Beatles … George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr, on Harrison’s Hit single “All Those Years Ago” (U.S. #2 Billboard Hot 100 Hit in 1981).
Kooper has also written and composed on countless albums and scores for television and motion pictures. Al Kooper’s musical contributions have left a lasting impact, and his diverse career spans multiple genres and roles in the music industry. Whether playing keyboards, producing albums, or composing music, Kooper’s legacy continues to resonate with music enthusiasts worldwide.
MEMOIRS OF A
ROCK 'N'ROLL
SURVIVOR
by Al Kooper (Author)
One of the funniest rock memoirs ever, Al Kooper's legendary Backstage Passes is available again! Al's quirky life, from would-be teenage rocker, to crashing Bob Dylan's recording session and playing the organ on Highway 61, to forming Blood, Sweat, and Tears and masterminding the Super Sessions, it's all here...plus, in this updated version, Al rides with us all the way back to the end of the 20th century. There has never been a more wickedly humorous and honest book by a man who has made such rock history.
THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES
BOOK TRAILER
BOOK REVIEW
-By Literary Titan (5) STARS
The Rock Star Chronicles by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show.
The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan.
Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives.
The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music. The second noteworthy thing is the use of high-definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.
I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.
https://literarytitan.com/2020/05/03/literary-titan-book-awards-may-2020/
Gold Award Winner
