Ry Cooder
Ryland "Ry" Peter Cooder is an American prominent guitarist, singer and composer. He is known for his slide guitar work, his interest in blues-rock, roots music from his native North America, and for his collaborations with traditional musicians from many countries.
Cooder's solo work has been an eclectic mix, taking in dust bowl folk, blues, Tex-Mex, soul, gospel, rock, and much else. He has collaborated with many important musicians, including The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Earl Hines, Little Feat, Captain Beefheart, The Chieftains, John Lee Hooker, Pops, Mavis Staples, Gabby Pahinui, Flaco Jiménez, Ibrahim Ferrer (Buena Vista Social Club), Freddy Fender and Ali Farka Touré. He formed the Little Village supergroup with Nick Lowe, John Hiatt, and Jim Keltner.
Cooder was ranked 8th on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time." A 2010 ranking by Gibson placed him at #32.
Acting
TV
Saturday Night Live
as Self - Musical Guest
1975
Movie
Buena Vista Social Club
as Self
1999
Movie
The Long Riders
as Wedding Band Guitar Player (uncredited)
1980
TV
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
as Self
1962
Movie
Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice
as Self
2019
TV
Austin City Limits
as Self
1975
Movie
The People Speak
as Self
2009
Movie
John Lee Hooker: Come and See About Me
as Self
2004
Movie
Wim Wenders, Desperado
as Self (archive footage)
2020
Movie
The Great Music Experience | Nara City, Japan 1994
as Self
1994
Movie
Ry Cooder & The Moula Banda Rhythm Aces: Let's Have a Ball
as Himself
1988
Movie
Ry Cooder & David Lindley: Live at the Fillmore Auditorium
as guitar, vocals
1994
Movie
Motion and Emotion: The Films of Wim Wenders
as Self
1990
Movie
This Ain't No Mouse Music!
as Self
2014
TV
Rockpalast
1974
Movie
The Artist Formerly Known As Captain Beefheart
as Himself
1997
Movie
Talking Guitars
as Self
2008
Movie
Motion and Emotion: The Road to 'Paris, Texas'
as Self
1990
Movie
Randy Newman: Live at the Odeon
as Self
1982
Movie
Ry Cooder: How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?
1970
Movie
John Lee Hooker and Friends 1984-1992
1992
Movie
ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival 2014
as Self
2014
Crew
Movie
Paris, Texas
Original Music Composer
1984
Movie
Dead Man Walking
Music Producer
1995
Movie
Last Man Standing
Original Music Composer
1996
TV
Tales from the Crypt
Music
1989
Movie
My Blueberry Nights
Original Music Composer
2007
Movie
Brewster's Millions
Original Music Composer
1985
Movie
Streets of Fire
Original Music Composer
1984
Movie
Crossroads
Original Music Composer
1986
Movie
Buena Vista Social Club
Musician
1999
Movie
Southern Comfort
Original Music Composer
1981
Movie
Primary Colors
Original Music Composer
1998
Movie
Johnny Handsome
Original Music Composer
1989