Bernadette Cooper is the founder of the all girl funk band Klymaxx. Their hits include the classic songs “The Men All Pause,” “Meeting in The Ladies Room” and “I Miss You.” I had the chance to meet her after a performance in Chicago last year. I was really taken with how nice and personable she is. Bernadette has worked with many artists and continues to write and produce new music. The Klymaxx resurrection began with a parody on Saturday Night Live and an episode of VH1’s Bands Reunited. This won them a new legion of fans. Bernadette is now at work on a brand new Klymaxx album. She took the time to answer my questions about her future plans.

 

Klymaxx stands alone just for being a successful all female funk band. Why do you think it seems this hasn’t been done since? 
 
Bernadette:
I believe it is very difficult to gather females. It is also difficult to convince them to actually stay together as a unit. “Ride or die” no matter what. It is also my goal to create a unit of girls that are talented and shine. It is also important finding a record company who believes in that unit by signing and supporting that band.

 

 

Bernadette:
KLYMAXX will always consist of the original members. That will never change. The new girls who are currently touring with us are hired.  The originals Lorena and Lynn don’t desire to tour anymore. The new girls we have are outstanding. We have Portia on guitar, Regina and Maureen on keyboards, Sheryl and Cookie on drums and of course Joyce and I. They are some of the best musicians I have come across in a very long time.

 

 

Bernadette:
Yes we are touring now. Klymaxx is a great live show like no other. I hope to be like Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones. Rock star ‘till I die!

 

 

Bernadette:
I enjoy performing in front of a lively, fabulous crowd and that often includes the gay community. Klymaxx has been supported by LGBTs from the beginning of our career.  I recognize and admit to shaping the music to please all the fab boys, because that is who I mostly hang around with. I am inspired and enlightened by their energy and zest for life and most of the fine boys are gay. So, participation in Chicago's North Halsted Market Days would be an honor. I would work them into frenzy!

 

 

Bernadette:
I believe the appeal is the fabulousness and positivity of the music, the freedom, all the attitude and of course the vanity. "I knew I was looking good…"

 

You still look good. What’s your secret?
 
Bernadette:
Wow. Thank you. I eat well, take wheatgrass, workout and get lots of rest. This helps maintain a healthy and positive attitude. I stay creative by surrounding myself with youth and technology. I love learning and am quite silly. These elements create a happy inner-self awareness which oozes out of me. That’s why I look so good!

 

 

Bernadette:
Yes, of course! I was inspired by the glamour of Little Richard. I always wondered as I heard my parents whisper about Johnny Mathis and constantly questioning Prince. I had a crazy fascination with this guy who called himself Mr. Aretha Franklin. He would perform at the neighborhood clubs in my area. I attended every performance I could. He sounded exactly like Aretha Franklin, and I was a huge Aretha fan. I think I had a crush and became sort of a stalker at his shows. When I finally met him he let me know he was more interested in my brother. I was a huge Sylvester fan. He contacted me shortly before his death to produce an album for him. There is also my best friend who recently passed. I became his mold and he created styles for me. These included the hairstyle over the eye and suggesting I get a nose job. He was a mirror. So the answer is yes, I am drawn to the magic.

 

 

Bernadette:
Fantastic. Teena is a legend and I really respect her. I am always honored to work with her.  We are friends therefore it was a little weird producing her. I wish I could produce her entire next CD.  I know exactly what to write and what type of songs I would produce. However, it is difficult for an artist of her caliber to take a back seat and let someone else drive. I have major respect for her.

 

 

Bernadette:
Wow, I really don’t take it that seriously. Of course I absolutely love myself. I am secure, positive, quite motivated and passionate. I think these are great components of a Diva. I am just extremely comfortable in my own skin.  Oh, I forgot… thank you for the lovely compliment.

 

 

Bernadette:
A few that come to mind are:
Aretha Franklin… I love her. She has a major vocal instrument that shaped my musical style.
Oprah Winfrey
Bette Midler
Michelle Obama
Marilyn Monroe
Sade

 

 

 Who was your favorite girl group of the 80’s?

 

Bernadette:
Vanity 6 because they were raw, they worked that concept! In fact, I am forming a similar group as we speak of sexy girls who know how to sell it. Nothing difficult, no over the top singing, just making people feel it!
 
I was really struck by the song “The Agency Sent Me” on your solo album. What inspired the writing of that? It was quite a departure from your usual subject matter.

 

Bernadette:
Two issues that are close to my heart are children and animals. I am a huge advocate of their safety and rights. I definitely have an alter ego. There are so many sides to my writing. There is so much inside of me. This is the reason why I’d like to produce Teena. Her vocals are such a great instrument for the stories I would love to tell. “The Agency Sent Me” is definitely a reflection of how I feel about child abuse.

 

I think it’s a great time to bring Klymaxx back. You are such an entertainer and belong on the stage. What led to this decision?

 

Bernadette Cooper:
You know, I have so many passions in my life. There are so many vintage stores to conquer. There are so many mountains to climb. Joyce “Fenderella” Irby reintroduced me to the thought of touring. I started to realize that sometimes you have to go back to the beginning, or where you came from to to excel in the rest of your life. KLYMAXX is where people know me best. KLYMAXX is much bigger than I will ever be. It is such a beautiful brand name I helped create.  I humbled myself. We are now touring and working on our next CD.

 

 

Bernadette:
Lorena has retired from touring. She has dedicated her life to a higher consciousness. Lynn Malsby, wrote the biggest KLYMAXX song ever…”I Miss You.” She is an executive at Macintosh and not able to pursue touring on a regular basis.

 

 

Bernadette Cooper:
I loved that store.  It did quite well. I love fashion and individuality. The store encompassed both. However, my mother fell ill. So, I sold the store and moved back to Los Angeles to take care of her. Now I am assisting my mother and my grandmother. Two generations of DIVAS. This is a welcome sacrifice. I’m tired… but it’s a welcome sacrifice.

 

Bernadette:
 I feel that whatever a person wants to do with their 15 minutes of fame on this earth they should be able to do. No one should have the right to dictate another person’s destiny or force their personal beliefs on another. I am all for love in any form.... I agree with gay marriage!

 

Bernadette:

I thought it was absolutely amazing. I was very honored on so many levels. It viewed on “Saturday Night Live” at a time when we were contemplating touring again.  It was a turning point in my decision.

 

Bernadette:
It is a work in progress. I am such a perfectionist and a crazy artist. This album has been rewritten 3 times already. I’m sure Joyce‘s patience is running out with me.  However, everything happens in its own divine time. I do believe it is almost finished. It is amazing and well thought out. I am planning a work of art. The new album will be something beautiful, fun and thought provoking. We are a Legacy band, the first female band of such notoriety. This is my Alpha and my Omega. The new album is titled… “REAL DIVAS NEVER DIE!” The new KLYMAXX album is coming out in 2009 and we do have a song featuring Ru Paul.

 

**
Bernadette Cooper is a true diva, a multi-faceted, talented and lovely person. At a time when there are so many destructive influences and personalities in the media, it is nice to know that there are still people like Bernadette. Klymaxx has accomplished a lot in their career and will continue to do so. Klymaxx is dedicated to their GLBT audience and providing a great live show. There is a compilation called “20th Century Masters” that serves as a great introduction to their music. I look forward to them being a part of the Market Days bill and hope everyone comes out to see them.