Ray Cooper joins Gary and Guy for Rockonteurs
Rockonteurs with Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt
Rhino UK
4.8 • 1.2K Ratings
🗓️ 1 March 2026
⏱️ 65 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
This week on the Rockonteurs podcast, we are joined by the legendary percussionist Ray Cooper. Ray has performed with so many of our favourite artists over the years but is forever synonymous as being part of Elton John's band since 1972.
In a fascinating conversation with Guy and Gary, Ray talks about a life with Elton and recording classic albums like 'Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy', a masterpiece that recently turned 50.
You can but the 50th anniversary edition of that album here: https://eltonjohn.lnk.to/CF50
Instagram @rockonteurs @guyprattofficial @garyjkemp @raycooperofficial @eltonjohn @gimmesugarproductions
Listen to the podcast and watch some of our latest episodes on our Rockonteurs YouTube channel.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rockonteurs
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rockonteurs
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therockonteurs
Produced for WMG UK by Ben Jones at Gimme Sugar Productions
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | If you like listening to Rockonteurs, then we would love you to subscribe to us permanently. |
| 0:05.2 | So hit subscribe wherever you get your podcasts from. |
| 0:08.8 | Hello, Gary. Hello Guy. So we're face to face. We are face to face. You haven't aged a bit. |
| 0:14.2 | Oh, thank you since. Yeah, I mean, you look better with your Zoom filter, I guess. |
| 0:18.9 | Well, I didn't realize you actually had the rabbit ears in real life. Right. So today's guest, I'm very excited about it. We're very, very excited. This is someone we wanted to talk to for ages. Yes, of course. And he's... And as well as someone we know as well, which is always special. And I mean, you know, working, work with Elton John, Rolling Stones. I mean, who isn't there that he has? |
| 0:39.5 | Not that many people call it. |
| 0:40.5 | David Essex. |
| 0:41.6 | David Essex. |
| 0:42.5 | Absolutely iconic. |
| 0:43.4 | A massive contribution to the British film industry as well. |
| 0:46.1 | Absolutely. |
| 0:46.8 | Should we get him on? |
| 0:47.7 | Welcome to the Rock Conteus. |
| 0:50.8 | Okay, guys, I'm ready. |
| 0:52.5 | You know this thing about the 10,000 hours of experience? |
| 0:55.6 | When we recorded Arnold Lane, we've done about 50 hours. |
| 0:58.8 | I love the fact he's dancing to it naked, like it's so hedonistic. |
| 1:02.4 | What you're doing, my opinion, is basically an oral history of rock and roll. |
| 1:06.4 | I'm in a band now. |
| 1:07.9 | It's called Roxy Music. |
| 1:09.1 | He started playing that as his main guitar. |
| 1:10.8 | So it was his main guitar, so I just said you can |
... |
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