John Cooper Information
John Landrum Cooper (born 1975; professionally credited as John L. Cooper) is an American musician.
He is the lead singer and bassist of the multiple Grammy-nominated Christian rock band Skillet.
Music career
John Cooper was born in Nashville, Tennessee. Cooper was one of the founding members of Skillet in 1996. His wife, Korey Cooper, joined in 1999 as a piano player, guitarist, and backing vocalist. He is the only member of the band to appear on all seven of their albums. Skillet played the Hollywood Stage on the first night of Rock the Universe 2008. The festival has been given much support by both the fans and the bands who play it, and Cooper has said that it is his favorite show to play each year.
Although he doesn't play keyboard for the band now, John was Skillet's original keyboardist. When he started the band, he played electric guitar, keyboards, and sang lead vocals. John is classically trained on piano, and was also in marching band in high school and college playing trombone. Before starting Skillet, he spent 5 years playing in the band Seraph. During Skillet concerts, in between songs, he frequently tells stories about his mother, who he says was a very devoted Christian, evangelizing people in the grocery store and such. He speaks about the events affectionately although he also admits some embarrassment at the time. She was their church pianist, and taught John how to play. His relationship with his father was a rough one growing up though, which has been the basis for the Skillet songs "Open Wounds" and "The Older I Get." Cooper has said at concerts when giving an intro to "The Older I Get" how God helped he and his father repair their relationship.
Other Compilations
John provided vocals for !Hero: The Rock Opera. According to a review, Cooper did not tour with the rock opera (he only provided vocals for a couple songs on the soundtrack), so in his place was "Fusebox's lead vocalist Billy Buchanan who did splendidly in the role".
Personal life
Cooper is married to Korey Cooper, the keyboardist/guitarist for Skillet. They have two children: Alexandria (born in 2002), and Xavier (born in 2005).
Cooper is a fan of Dr. Pepper, and can often be seen drinking it in numerous Skillet podcasts. This happens so often that Skillet guitarist Ben Kasica refers to him as a soda connoisseur in one podcast.
Birthday: April 7, 1975
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Family: Korey (wife), Alexandria (daughter - 10/23/02), Xavier (son - 2/27/05)
Pat (older brother), Seth (younger brother)
Previous jobs before Skillet: Janitor at a church
Education: 3 years at University of Memphis
Sports / Activities in High School: Basketball, student gov't, marching band
Hobbies: Sewing, Shopping, Collecting Toys & Arcade Games
Favorite things to do on days off: Movies, Shopping
Guilty pleasure: Prince
Favorite food: Fajitas, lasagna
Favorite color: Purple
Why did you give your life to Jesus: "My parents are Christians, so I grew up believing in God. I became a Christian when I was 5. I did not understand everything about God obviously, but I knew that it meant that my life was given to God. Even as a kid there was nothing else to live for. I always wanted to live for God but I did not always know how. My mom died from cancer during my freshmen year of high school. She was always the person that I looked up to because she was so in love with God. I didn't always live for God, and I had major compromise in my life. My life changed when I was 18 at a worship service. I had grown up in a very traditional church and setting. I went to this spirit-filled church (or whatever you call it!) and God changed my life. It was the first time that I had ever worshipped God. I was filled with the power and presence of God that day. That is also when the fire of God came in my life and started burning things away that weren't about Him. I met a man that started teaching me about God. I knew that I wanted to live for God, but I had so many areas to grow in. After about 2 years I finally had my life turned around and was living consistently for God. I have a passion to show people that there is more to a relationship with God than going to church on Sundays."
Something God has taught you recently: "Most of the Christians that I know that are really living "in the world" are also compromised. I believe that God wants to give us power and release power in His people. This year I prayed that God would give me power in my life to see people healed and demons cast out and people to get saved from it. Jesus saw this every day, and we barely ever see it. I felt that God was saying to me, "to really see Me move in power in people's lives, you have to be in the world! But if you've not been trained in the Word and prepared to know Him radically, then you are not going to make it." This year I want to be in the world and be a radical voice for Jesus in my generation. "
Who's had the biggest influence on your life: "One of my pastors named Rick Miller"
What is your favorite thing about doing what you do: "Seeing people cry when they give their life to God at a show"
Gear:
Trace Elliot head & speakers
Traben Bass Guitars
GMP Bass Guitars
GHS Strings
Mesa V-twin Pre-Amp
Crybaby Wah
Electro-Harmonix Bass Micro Synth
DOD Grunge Pedal
Credit goes to Wikipedia for most text, and www.theSkilletSizzle.com for lower bio.
