Who Is Ry Cooder? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on March 15, 1947, Ry Cooder is an acclaimed American musician known for his work as a guitarist, singer, composer, and producer. With a career spanning over five decades, he has made significant contributions to the music world, embracing genres such as blues, rock, and world music. As of 2025, Ry Cooder is 78 years old. His journey has been marked by notable collaborations and significant contributions to film soundtracks, showcasing his musical versatility and deep-rooted passion for music.
| Occupation | Blues Singer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 15, 1947 |
| Age | 78 Years |
| Birth Place | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Ry Cooder's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As a musician, Ry Cooder's physical presence complements his artistry. He stands at approximately 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) tall and weighs around 165 pounds (75 kg). His slender frame and laid-back style reflect the free-spirited essence of his music. While specific body measurements are not extensively documented, his unique look is often characterized by a relaxed, bohemian aesthetic.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Throughout his lifetime, Ry Cooder has been relatively private about his personal life. As of 2025, he is married to Susan Cooder, with whom he has a happy family life. The couple has welcomed children together, and Ry has often expressed gratitude for the support of his family in his musical endeavors. While he remains focused on his career, his bond with his family reflects a strong foundation that has influenced his music and creativity.
Net Worth and Salary
With an extensive career and numerous successful albums, Ry Cooder has amassed a considerable fortune. As of 2025, his estimated net worth is around $10 million. His income derives from various sources, including album sales, live performances, and collaborations with other artists. Cooder's contributions to film soundtracks, such as "Paris, Texas" and "The Long Riders," have also significantly boosted his earnings.
Career, Business and Investments
Ry Cooder's career began in the late 1960s, and he quickly gained recognition for his slide guitar skills and unique sound. Over the years, he has released numerous albums, including the iconic "Buena Vista Social Club," which not only showcased Cuban music but also rejuvenated interest in the genre worldwide. In addition to music, Cooder has engaged in various business ventures, including producing records and collaborating with international musicians.
He has invested in several projects that align with his values, often focusing on music that promotes cultural exchange and social awareness. His passion for global music has led him to explore and incorporate diverse musical influences into his work.
Cooder was ranked at No. 8 on Rolling Stone magazine's 2003 list of "The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time", while a 2010 list by Gibson Guitar Corporation placed him at No. 32. In 2011, he published a collection of short stories called Los Angeles Stories.
Social Network
Ry Cooder maintains a low profile on social media compared to many contemporary artists. However, fans can keep up with his latest projects and insights through his official pages and music platforms. Following him on streaming services allows listeners to experience his discography and updates firsthand, making it easy to follow his musical journey.
Throughout the 1970s, Cooder released a series of Warner Bros. Records albums that showcased his guitar work, initially on the Reprise Records label, before being reassigned to the main Warners label along with many of Reprise's artists when the company retired the imprint.
Cooder explored bygone musical genres and found old-time recordings which he then personalized and updated. Thus, on his breakthrough album, Into the Purple Valley, he chose unusual instrumentations and arrangements of blues, gospel, calypso, and country songs (giving a tempo change to the cowboy ballad "Billy the Kid").
The album opened with the song "How Can You Keep on Moving (Unless You Migrate Too)" by Agnes "Sis" Cunningham about the Okies who were not welcomed when they migrated west to escape the Dust Bowl in the 1930s – to which Cooder gave a rousing-yet-satirical march accompaniment.
In 1970 he collaborated with Ron Nagle and performed on his Bad Rice album released on Warner Brothers.
His later 1970s albums (with the exception of Jazz, which explored ragtime/vaudeville) do not fall under a single genre description, but his self-titled first album could be described as blues; Into the Purple Valley, Boomer's Story, and Paradise and Lunch as folk and blues; Chicken Skin Music and Showtime as a mix of Tex-Mex and Hawaiian; Bop Till
You Drop as 1950s R&B; and Borderline and Get Rhythm as rock-based.
His 1979 album Bop Till You Drop was the first popular music album released that was recorded digitally, using the early 3M digital mastering recorder. It yielded his biggest hit, an R&B cover version of Elvis Presley's 1960s recording "Little Sister".
Education
Cooder’s education in music began at a young age, influenced by the rich musical landscape of California. He honed his skills and artistic expression through self-teaching and collaborations with other musicians. While he did not pursue formal music education, his experiences and practical knowledge have shaped him into one of the most influential guitarists in the industry.
He was raised in Santa Monica, California, and graduated from Santa Monica High School in 1964. During the 1960s he briefly attended Reed College in Portland, Oregon. He began playing the guitar when he was three years old.
