Big Bands Past

Gord Cooper Orchestra

Gord Cooper was born in St John New Brunswick, on April 5, 1931, when his father was in the Army stationed in that area.  His mother died nine days later and an aunt brought all the children back to London Ontario to raise them with the rest of the relatives.

Gord started piano lessons, advanced very quickly and was much in demand for school concerts. He then joined the London Police Boys Band in his early teens and played with them until he decided to get married at the age of 21. During his time in the LPBB he became fascinated with all the instruments in the band. This fascination was to last all his life and although his principle instruments were piano, tenor sax and euphonium he became proficient on a wide variety of other brass, reeds and keyboards. Shortly after leaving the Police Band Gord organised his own group – “The Gord Cooper Orchestra” and played for dances throughout the fifties and sixties.

Later as the era of the dance bands declined he joined the Mocha Temple Shrine Band, the London Pops band, and others when the opportunity arose.  For several years right up to the present his band has played the New Years Dance at Parkwood Hospital for the veterans. He also played euphonium numerous times in Salvation Army bands when they needed him.

Gord Cooper died February 28th 2008 after a long battle with cancer, but before he died he was the inspiring force behind organising the first reunion of the London Police Boys Band which took place April 18th – 20th 2008.

Photographs

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