Al Kooper

Columnist, TMR

Covering New Music for Old People

Al Kooper

Al Kooper began his career in 1958 at age 14 playing guitar in the Royal Teens – a band who hit #1 with the novelty “Short Shorts.” From there Kooper moved to songwriting and his songs were covered by Gary Lewis ("This Diamond Ring"), Gene Pitney ("I Must Be Seeing Things"), Freddie Cannon, Lulu, Nancy Sinatra, and scads more. In 1965 he played the catchy organ part on Dylan’s “Like A Rolling Stone” and continued his sound on the albums Highway 61 Revisited and Blond on Blonde, helping Dylan cement his new sound in place.

After that, The Stones, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, and many others got Al to play on their recordings. After short stints in The Blues Project and Blood Sweat & Tears, Kooper, alongside Mike Bloomfield and Steve Stills, played on and produced the original jam album Super Session.

Before long Al was producing Nils Lofgren, The Tubes, Dylan, and soon discovered Lynyrd Skynyrd, producing their first three albums including the hits "Free Bird," "Sweet Home Alabama," "Saturday Night Special," and "Gimme 3 Steps."

He scored famed director Hal Ashby’s first film The Landlord and Michael Mann’s famed TV series Crime Story. His best-selling autobiography Backstage Passes & Backstabbing Bastards is in its third printing and selling better than ever. He is currently working on a new album and is happy to join the staff of The Morton Report in an effort to help his fellow listeners stay in tune!


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Articles From Al Kooper
Friday Apr 17, 2015 00:00 AM ET
Another week and another great playlist for your aural edification, with artists ranging from the London Souls to Neil Young.
Friday Apr 10, 2015 00:00 AM ET
This week we do some musical time traveling accompanied by the likes of Colin Blunstone, Jesse Malin, Eye to Eye and more...
Friday Apr 3, 2015 00:00 AM ET
There are so many good things going on here this week it's kinda hard to know where to start, so we suggest you start at the beginning...
Friday Mar 27, 2015 00:00 AM ET
The snow is melting, but we don't need a reason to celebrate the end of the week with another fine (and eclectic) selection of tunes.
Friday Mar 20, 2015 00:00 AM ET
We are back this week with another selection of great tunes, which is not a bad way to greet the first day of Spring.
Friday Mar 13, 2015 00:00 AM ET
This week's column pays tribute to Scottish singer and songwriter Frankie Miller. This is a playlist you definitely don't want to miss.
Friday Mar 6, 2015 00:00 AM ET
We have another great playlist this week, with an interesting blend of the sorta old and the very brand new. This is not a bad way to wrap up the week.
Friday Feb 27, 2015 00:00 AM ET
This week's eclectic playlist features a diversity of musical styles and artists guaranteed to raise you out of the wintertime blues.
Friday Feb 20, 2015 00:00 AM ET
This week's column pays tribute to singer, songwriter and producer Don Covay with a terrific playlist you won't want to miss.
Friday Feb 13, 2015 00:00 AM ET
Another spectacular playlist this week, with new faces and old, and lots of really great music.
Friday Feb 6, 2015 00:00 AM ET
This week, Al pays tribute to Tracy Nelson. It's a playlist you definitely won't want to miss.
Friday Jan 30, 2015 00:00 AM ET
Another trip into the NMFOP vaults this week. Check out some things you may have missed the first time around.
Friday Jan 23, 2015 00:00 AM ET
Al's been on the road, but before he left he combed through the archives for some choice tracks to keep you busy this week. If you're a relative newcomer to the column, make sure you check these out. If you're not, you'll like hearing these again all the same.
Friday Jan 16, 2015 00:00 AM ET
As you might have guessed from the title, this week's playlist is all about the covers.
Friday Jan 9, 2015 00:00 AM ET
A post-holiday return to some new music from Al Kooper to get your new year off on the right foot!
Friday Jan 2, 2015 00:00 AM ET
You picked them! Here are the 25 tracks from 2014 that YOU liked best. It's a great playlist, because you have good taste, just like Al...
Friday Dec 19, 2014 00:00 AM ET
In keeping with tradition, Al brings you ten holiday tracks that travel off the beaten path. Happy holidays from TMR!
Friday Dec 12, 2014 00:00 AM ET
Another eclectic week, with artists ranging from Wilco to Bette Midler. There's lots of other good stuff here, too, so listen up.
Friday Dec 5, 2014 00:00 AM ET
Adrian Belew is regarded as one of the foremost innovative guitarists, singers, songwriters and sidemen in the history of rock. Here Al presents 16 tracks you'll want to hear.
Friday Nov 21, 2014 00:00 AM ET
You may find a familiar name or two tucked among this week's selections, and you may meet a few new faces.
Friday Nov 14, 2014 00:00 AM ET
There is a veritable plethora of good music here this week. As usual. So give it a listen.
Friday Nov 7, 2014 00:00 AM ET
It's a woman's world this week as Al showcases twelve tracks from some outstanding female artists.
Friday Oct 31, 2014 00:00 AM ET
Another week full of great music just for you, because that's what we're all about.
Friday Oct 24, 2014 00:00 AM ET
This week we've got old people making new music and younger people making new music and everybody listening, which is just how it should be.
Friday Oct 17, 2014 00:00 AM ET
We mark the end of the week with an eclectic selection of tunes, including tracks from Tori Alamaze, Nick Lowe, Jimmy Eat World, and so much more.
Friday Oct 10, 2014 00:00 AM ET
Another week full of great music you've just been waiting to hear. Happy Friday.
Friday Oct 3, 2014 00:00 AM ET
We are back to business as usual this week with another well-curated batch of new music for your enjoyment...
Friday Sep 26, 2014 05:00 AM ET
Another blast from the past as we re-live Covers Week! These are great fun, whether you're revisiting them or hearing them for the very first time.
Friday Sep 19, 2014 05:00 AM ET
We dip into our archives this week to bring you a blast from our early past. If you've been reading us all along, you'll want to hear these again. Newer readers are in for a treat.
Friday Sep 12, 2014 00:00 AM ET
It's that time of week again. Grab your headphones and prepare to be entertained by this week's selection of the new, the not-so-new, and the underappreciated.
Friday Sep 5, 2014 00:00 AM ET
Another week brings another eclectic playlist, opening with Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite, and closing with Marvin Gaye. Check out the other good stuff in the middle.
Friday Aug 29, 2014 00:00 AM ET
This week Al bids farewell to The Family Crest (for now) and brings readers a whole new slew of tunes to enjoy in this week's somewhat guitar-heavy column. So... enjoy!
Friday Aug 22, 2014 00:00 AM ET
Another week, another great playlist for your musical edification. Enjoy.
Friday Aug 15, 2014 00:00 AM ET
This week's playlist brings back an old friend or two and showcases some amazing new music.
Friday Aug 8, 2014 00:00 AM ET
Big Wreck is back (!) and there's a whole lot more to love in this week's column.
Friday Aug 1, 2014 00:00 AM ET
In part 9 of an ongoing series about his musical foundations, Al showcases 20 spectacular soul tracks you won't want to miss.
Friday Jul 25, 2014 00:00 AM ET
Summer marches on, and so does the music. Al's back this week with another playlist full of listening pleasure.
Friday Jul 18, 2014 00:00 AM ET
There are a number of familiar faces in this week's column, and a special tribute to Johnny Winter you won't want to miss.
Friday Jul 11, 2014 00:00 AM ET
This week Al listens to some new music and then finishes up with a tribute to the late R&B great, Bobby Womack.
Friday Jul 4, 2014 00:00 AM ET
A very special column this week as Al pays tribute to the lyrical genius of the late Gerry Goffin. This is a playlist you won't want to miss.
Friday Jun 27, 2014 00:00 AM ET
What the folk, indeed. This week's playlist delves into a folk sub-genre with some pleasing results. Give it a listen.
Friday Jun 20, 2014 00:00 AM ET
Wondering what music to listen to this weekend? Wonder no more. Al's got some suggestions for you right here.
Friday Jun 13, 2014 00:00 AM ET
It's an unusual but excellent week here at New Music for Old People. Sammy Davis Jr even makes an appearance. I'll bet you weren't expecting that.
Friday Jun 6, 2014 00:00 AM ET
This week closes out with another carefully curated playlist that'll take you all the way from Joan Osborne to the North Mississippi Allstars (with Al sitting in, by the way) and then some.
Friday May 30, 2014 00:00 AM ET
Al's back with a vengeance (and a great playlist) after a brief hiatus. C'mon in and check it out.
Friday May 9, 2014 00:00 AM ET
Another week and another unusually eclectic playlist for your listening enjoyment. Come discover some new and not-so-new tunes to get your weekend off to a grand start.
Friday May 2, 2014 00:00 AM ET
In which we celebrate NMFOP's approaching third anniversary with a new look at an old column...
Friday Apr 25, 2014 00:00 AM ET
Some exceptional new tunes to enjoy this week, along with some older ones you might have missed out on, and a radio rarity for your listening pleasure. Happy Friday.
Friday Apr 18, 2014 00:00 AM ET
This week's column has a few repeat visitors, some standout oldies, something new, and an appearance by Al.
Friday Apr 11, 2014 00:00 AM ET
Week's end brings another fabulous mixed grab-bag of tunes from Al, destined to make your day better.

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