Climax Blues Band Lead Singer Colin Cooper Dies at 68 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 07-09-2008, 04:27 AM

Link

Tributes have poured in for a popular musician described as a "shining light" of the blues scene.

Colin Cooper, founding member of the Climax Blues Band, died on Thursday at his home in Stafford after battling against cancer.

In a career which spanned almost five decades, the 68-year-old vocalist and saxophonist performed at major concerts and festivals around the world, including Glastonbury and a 25-date German tour with the Godfather of British Blues, John Mayall.

Band members have said Mr Cooper's death is a great loss not only to those who knew him, but to the world of music.

Lead guitarist Lester Hunt, aged 68, who lives in Rode Heath, said: "Colin was a great musician and a unique vocalist.

"His sound was instantly recognisable to people around the world, both live and on recordings.

"His knowledge, passion and pure feel for the blues was deep and from the heart.

"He was also a good mate for more than 20 years. I remember many hours in the band bus spent agreeing and disagreeing about every subject from sport to politics, and, of course, music.

"As the song goes, 'he loved the life he lived and he lived the life he loved'.

"It has always been a privilege for me to work with Colin and the band.

"He will be missed by many people in many ways."

Mr Cooper was an original member of the band when it was set up in 1968, known back then as the Climax Chicago Blues Band.

The band has released eighteen albums and has had Top 40 hits in 1976 in the UK with Couldn't Get It Right, and in 1981 in the United States with I Love You.

The two songs were also big American hits - Couldn't Get It Right reached number three on the Hot 100 in 1977, and I Love You reached number 12 in 1981. Couldn't Get It Right was later covered by the Fun Lovin' Criminals on their album Mimosa.

George Glover, aged 60, who plays keyboard in the band, said Mr Cooper lived for music.

Mr Glover, who lives in Oakhill, said: "The amount of well wishes and messages of condolence we have received so far has just been incredible.

"Colin was just a great person. A true character and that is why he was loved by so many people.

"We've got a festival coming up in Germany, which we weren't going to perform at, but Colin would have wanted us to make sure the name of the band keeps going so we have decided to go and play.

"He will be very dearly missed by a lot of people."

Mr Cooper's funeral will be held at St Mary's Church, in Stafford, on Monday, July 14.

Zoneboy · 07-09-2008, 04:31 AM

Couldn't Get it Right

I Love You

BarneyFife · 07-09-2008, 10:08 AM

I really hate that, i liked this band since they first came out with "Couldn't Get It Right" in 77. REST IN PEACE COLIN!

catlover79 · 07-09-2008, 11:30 AM

James · 07-09-2008, 12:33 PM

"Couldn't Get It Right" and "I Love You" are the only songs I know that they did, yet they are both very good ones! Rest in peace, Colin!

Yooch · 07-09-2008, 05:14 PM

Couldn't get it Right, one of the great songs--RIP Colin Cooper

AB · 07-09-2008, 05:34 PM

Such sad news.

Lee · 07-12-2008, 05:10 AM

Rest In Peace

Ireneparalegal · 07-12-2008, 12:42 PM

Those songs bring back so much memories of my teen years.

07-09-2008, 04:27 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,408	Climax Blues Band Lead Singer Colin Cooper Dies at 68 Link Tributes have poured in for a popular musician described as a "shining light" of the blues scene. Colin Cooper, founding member of the Climax Blues Band, died on Thursday at his home in Stafford after battling against cancer. In a career which spanned almost five decades, the 68-year-old vocalist and saxophonist performed at major concerts and festivals around the world, including Glastonbury and a 25-date German tour with the Godfather of British Blues, John Mayall. Band members have said Mr Cooper's death is a great loss not only to those who knew him, but to the world of music. Lead guitarist Lester Hunt, aged 68, who lives in Rode Heath, said: "Colin was a great musician and a unique vocalist. "His sound was instantly recognisable to people around the world, both live and on recordings. "His knowledge, passion and pure feel for the blues was deep and from the heart. "He was also a good mate for more than 20 years. I remember many hours in the band bus spent agreeing and disagreeing about every subject from sport to politics, and, of course, music. "As the song goes, 'he loved the life he lived and he lived the life he loved'. "It has always been a privilege for me to work with Colin and the band. "He will be missed by many people in many ways." Mr Cooper was an original member of the band when it was set up in 1968, known back then as the Climax Chicago Blues Band. The band has released eighteen albums and has had Top 40 hits in 1976 in the UK with Couldn't Get It Right, and in 1981 in the United States with I Love You. The two songs were also big American hits - Couldn't Get It Right reached number three on the Hot 100 in 1977, and I Love You reached number 12 in 1981. Couldn't Get It Right was later covered by the Fun Lovin' Criminals on their album Mimosa. George Glover, aged 60, who plays keyboard in the band, said Mr Cooper lived for music. Mr Glover, who lives in Oakhill, said: "The amount of well wishes and messages of condolence we have received so far has just been incredible. "Colin was just a great person. A true character and that is why he was loved by so many people. "We've got a festival coming up in Germany, which we weren't going to perform at, but Colin would have wanted us to make sure the name of the band keeps going so we have decided to go and play. "He will be very dearly missed by a lot of people." Mr Cooper's funeral will be held at St Mary's Church, in Stafford, on Monday, July 14.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

07-09-2008, 10:08 AM	#3
BarneyFife Retired Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 02, 2008 Posts: 8,460	I really hate that, i liked this band since they first came out with "Couldn't Get It Right" in 77. REST IN PEACE COLIN!
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07-09-2008, 11:30 AM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

07-09-2008, 05:14 PM	#6
Yooch Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2006 Location: California Posts: 3,180	Couldn't get it Right, one of the great songs--RIP Colin Cooper
	__________________ "The true meaning of America, you ask? It's in a Texas rodeo, in a policeman's badge, in the sound of laughing children, in a political rally, in a newspaper...In all these things and many more, you'll find freedom. And freedom is what America means to the world. And to me." --Audie Leon Murphy June 20, 1924-- May 28, 1971

07-09-2008, 04:31 AM	#2
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,408	Couldn't Get it Right I Love You

07-09-2008, 12:33 PM	#5
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	"Couldn't Get It Right" and "I Love You" are the only songs I know that they did, yet they are both very good ones! Rest in peace, Colin!

07-09-2008, 05:34 PM	#7
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,428	Such sad news.

07-12-2008, 05:10 AM	#8
Lee veteran member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 23, 2001 Location: Pulaski, Tennessee Posts: 4,768	Rest In Peace

07-12-2008, 12:42 PM	#9
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Those songs bring back so much memories of my teen years.