Ry Cooder Biography

Fast Facts

• Between 1988 and 2003, he won six Grammy Awards, two for Best World Music Album
• One of his early ventures as a professional musician was playing with Taj Mahal and Ed Cassidy in the Rising Sons
• Quote: "The old-time social music is what comes through me--and I've absorbed so much of it that when I did start writing my own songs it did come out in that way․"
• Known for his slide guitar work, his solo work has encompassed folk, blues, Tex-Mex, soul, gospel, rock and more
• Has collaborated with traditional musicians from many countries, one such collaboration resulting in the worldwide hit album "Buena Vista Social Club․"
• Live in San Francisco, released in 2013, was his first live record in over 35 years
• Published a collection of short stories about post World War II Los Angeles through City Lights publishing house called "Los Angeles Stories․"