Bradley Cooper, singer: the protagonist of 'A Star is Born' turns 50

In 2018 many were surprised to see in the film a star is born actor Bradley Cooper in an unknown role: that of a singer. In it he displayed his vocal skills alongside Lady Gaga in songs like Shallow but also in others in which he sang alone, such as Black eyes, Maybe it's time, Out of time either Alibi. The film's soundtrack was a worldwide success, and, in fact, brought Cooper two Grammy Awards, of the recording industry, in the categories of Best Pop Duo Performance and Best Song Written for a Visual Medium, for Shallow. Cooper thus uncovered that talent until then hidden in full maturity; stage that now culminates with his 50th birthday.

In that film, the actor born in Pennsylvania on January 5, 1975 He not only stood out as a vocalist; He was co-author and co-producer of several songs on the soundtrack. Both the full album and the single Shallow were number one sales in the United States and many other territories. As it is common for many movie stars to make their first steps in the world of music, it seems that Cooper's relationship with this latest artistic expression goes much further.

When I was a child I listened to a lot of classical music, to the point of being fascinated by the work of orchestra conductors. When he turned 8 he asked for a baton as a gift. which he balanced in his room while listening to symphonies, concertos and sonatas. “There was something magical about being able to physically follow a rhythm,” he declared in an interview. “And then, in my imagination, being able to perceive that I was actually harnessing and mastering that music. I mean, it was really like a magic trick.”

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He has also explained that this curiosity arose, in addition to the classic records that were frequently played in his house, from listening attentively to the music of cartoons of characters such as Bugs Bunny and Tom & Jerry, in which the score reinforced the action. Without a doubt, that childhood game influenced his later decision to direct, co-write and perform the film. Teacher, 2023, in which he plays the famous conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein. Although to imitate the teacher as best as possible he asked another director for help, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who guided him in the process of conducting an orchestra from the lectern.

Cooper's passion for music goes beyond that childish entertainment. He has tried to perfect it by following training courses. For example, for a star is born He was receiving guitar and piano lessons for six months, as well as singing lessons from the tenor Mark Nicolson throughout an entire year. But he also knows how to play the double bass. In 2017 he performed on one of the stages at the Glastonbury festival, and in May 2024 at the BottleRock festival, in Napa Valley, alongside Eddie Vedderby Pearl Jam.

Regarding his role as a composer, in a press conference to present a star is bornsaid that He felt a little insecure with his subjects. “I was scared with Black eyes. It was like: 'I wrote a song and I arranged it myself!' However, the public's good reception of that and other songs showed that he was not bad at it.

As for the pop or rock music that he likes the most, he has recognized that the first group that made him take those styles seriously was Radiohead. He felt an instant crush on the English band. “I love Radiohead, like everyone else, but I really They are my favorite rock band of all time.”he told The Times. He also enjoys listening to The Killers and TV on the Radio. Regarding classical composers, Mozart (particularly his Requiem) and Tchaikovsky They are his weakness.

Now that he crosses the barrier of half a century of life, perhaps it is time to expect Cooper to lavish himself in that musical aspect. An album in the style of Thom Yorkemaybe? A season conducting an orchestra in a large amphitheater? So far, the two films he has directed, a star is born and Teacher, They have a strong musical load. Let's hope it continues along those lines.