The Gary Cooper Combo

Gary Cooper was from the beginning a Lars Mertanen (now Kranz) solo project after the Iguana Foundation. Harry Byrnes (Electric Garden) who had released Iguana Foundation on record thought Lars should start playing live, so Pelle Strandberg who sang in Iguana Foundation took the drums, Iggo (from Kitchen & the Plastic Spoons) took the bass, and Mats Hellqvist (later bob hund) took the solo guitar. Lars wrote most of the songs, sang and played some guitar. The name Gary Cooper was filled with Combo. Pelle left after just a few gigs, but was replaced by Mats' brother Martin on drums. He was in for about three years, hoping to leave when he was expecting children, then replaced by Mats Andersson (Zoo, bob hund). Mats Hellqvist was in for about one and a half years, he would rather play bass and started Apa, Epa and later bob hund. John Essing took over the solo guitar and the last year, Per Ulander also featured on violin, harmonica and guitar. Two singles and one LP were released by Harry before the band split after about four years.