Ry Cooder, born Ryland Peter Cooder on March 15, 1947, in Los Angeles, California, is an acclaimed American guitarist and singer known for his profound influence on music despite limited commercial success. After a childhood accident left him blind in one eye, Cooder turned to the guitar, drawing inspiration from artists like Blind Willie Johnson and Curtis Mayfield. He became a prominent figure in the Los Angeles blues scene and formed the Rising Sons with Taj Mahal.

Cooder worked as a session musician in the 1960s, contributing to albums by the Rolling Stones and Randy Newman. He launched a solo career in 1970, exploring American roots music across various genres, including country, gospel, blues, jazz, and Tex-Mex. His notable albums include "Paradise and Lunch" (1974) and "Chicken Skin Music" (1976), which introduced Texas accordion player Flaco Jiménez to a wider audience.

In the 1980s, Cooder focused on composing soundtracks, with his work on Wim Wenders’s "Paris, Texas" (1984) being particularly impactful. He resumed recording in the 1990s, collaborating with international musicians. His album "A Meeting by the River" with V.M. Bhatt won a Grammy for best world music album in 1993. Cooder also contributed to the Grammy-winning album "Talking Timbuktu" with Ali Farka Touré.

Cooder gained further recognition with the Buena Vista Social Club project, which earned him multiple Grammy Awards. His later works include collaborations with the Chieftains and a trilogy of solo albums exploring California's cultural history. Cooder is known for his slide guitar playing and has inspired musicians like Duane Allman. His son, Joachim Cooder, is also a musician who has collaborated with him on various projects.