| Ira Kaplan | |
| Background: | non_vocal_instrumentalist |
| Birth Name: | Ira David Kaplan |
| Birth Date: | 7 January 1957 |
| Birth Place: | Queens, New York, United States |
| Occupation: | Singer-songwriter, musician |
| Instrument: | Vocals, guitar, piano |
| Genre: | Indie rock |
| Years Active: | 1984–present |
| Associated Acts: | Yo La Tengo |
Ira David Kaplan[1] (born January 7, 1957) is a co-founder, vocalist, guitarist and songwriter in the American indie rock band Yo La Tengo. He is married to the band's co-founder Georgia Hubley.[2]
A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, Kaplan formed Yo La Tengo in the early 1980s. Previously, he worked as a music critic for the SoHo Weekly News, New York Rocker, Village Voice[3] and Matter,[4] as well as serving as a soundman, roadie and backup musician for Mofungo and other New York-area bands.[5] [6] Kaplan's life, family, and musical development were chronicled in the book Big Day Coming: Yo La Tengo and the Rise of Indie Rock, by Jesse Jarnow (Avery Books, 2012).[7]
In 2012, Spin named Kaplan the 97th greatest guitarist of all time.[8]
Kaplan's vocals were featured in Eluvium's 2013 album Nightmare Ending in the song "Happiness". He occasionally hosts a free-form radio program on WFMU under the name "Ira the K."[9]