Some people reach retirement and slow down. Dick Cole has spent his time exploring new creative possibilities, drawing on a life that has taken him through military service, international travel, writing, photography, flying, and motorcycling. At 73, the singer-songwriter is still making music on his own terms, and his six-track EP, King of Cool, released on June 15, 2026, offers another look into his world, his songwriting, and his determination to keep creating.
The title track, “King of Cool,” sits at the centre of Cole’s ambitions for the release. Having received some airplay in the UK, the song has already begun reaching listeners, although Cole hopes to build a wider audience elsewhere. The track is especially personal because its melody and lyrics are entirely his own. Rather than simply relying on technology to generate a song, he begins with his own writing and musical ideas, performing alongside other musicians before using AI-assisted tools to streamline production and mastering.
That distinction matters. Technology can make recording more accessible, but it is the songwriter’s ideas that give a song its identity. Cole’s approach shows how independent musicians can combine traditional songwriting and performance with newer production methods without surrendering their creative starting point.
The remaining tracks add further intrigue to the EP. “He No Longer Asks,” “Lainey,” “Still Vertical,” “Last Bird out of Saigon,” and “Standin’ in the Shadows” each carry a different sense of story in their titles. “Still Vertical” suggests persistence in the face of life’s challenges, while “Last Bird out of Saigon” evokes images of departure, history, and change. The titles invite curiosity about the people and experiences behind the songs.
Cole’s interest in motorcycling and biker culture also offers a glimpse into the world that informs much of his writing. It is a subject rooted in freedom, individuality, risk, and camaraderie, all experiences that can provide fertile ground for songwriting.
With King of Cool, Dick Cole continues to follow his creative instincts on his own terms. The title track has already made an initial connection with UK listeners, and the wider hope is for these songs to find people who appreciate the stories, experiences, and independent vision behind them.
Artist bio
Dick is a 73-year-old retired military officer and retired civil servant who is a musician, composer, photographer, pilot, published author, and motorcyclist. He primarily writes songs about motorcycling and the biker culture. He was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, but lived all over the world during his military service. He now resides in Chester, Virginia.
