Emperors and Elephants
| Randy Cooper | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Randy Cooper |
| Born | c. 1967 |
| Genres | Heavy metal, hard rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Electric guitar, acoustic guitar |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Associated acts | Texas Hippie Coalition, Emperors and Elephants, Shotgun Rebellion,Scattered Hamlet |
| Notable instruments | |
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Dean Guitars EMG 81/85 guitar pickups |
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Randy "The Arsonist" Cooper (born c. 1967) is the former guitarist for American rock band Emperors and Elephants as well as American red dirt metal band Texas Hippie Coalition. Cooper also acted as a session guitarist on American southern rock band Shotgun Rebellion's debut album Train of Pain in addition to performing on a limited number of dates with the band.
Cooper moved to Denison, Texas when he was 16 years of age. Having met Pantera shortly thereafter, and opening for them as part of Texas Hippie Coalition, he became attracted to Dean Guitars, and played the same Vintage 82 DEAN from 1989 until at least 2009. In 1991, an automobile accident in Oklahoma City turned the guitarist into a quadriplegic, confining him to a wheelchair and forcing him to regain his stride. After regaining motion in his right arm and both legs, Cooper spent additional time in rehab, recovering only one finger on his left hand. This contributes to the musician's unique style of playing.
In mid-2012, Cooper tore a tendon in his right arm, which required extensive rehabilitation. With a pair of cysts under his arm that encircled the tendons, he could only play guitar for a few minutes at a time, which rendered him unable to tour later that year.
Following Cooper's departure from Texas Hippie Coalition, the veteran guitarist joined rock band Emperors and Elephants. Additionally, Cooper performed a select number of tour dates with southern rock band Shotgun Rebellion while assisting the ensemble with their debut studio album. Randy Cooper's work also includes a guest appearance on Hell Rider Recording Artist, Scattered Hamlet's debut full length, Skeleton Dixie, where he played lead guitar on "Falling Off the Wagon.". He's also been known to make unannounced guest appearances with the band to play that song live.
In October 2015, it was announced that Emperors and Elephants would begin the new year by starting work on a new album with producer Scott Wilson. Two months later, Cooper and the band announced that they had decided to part ways.
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Wikipedia