Who was Joe Cocker? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In May

Also Known As: John Robert Cocker

Died At Age: 70

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Pam Baker (m. 1987)

father: Harold Cocker

mother: Madge Cocker

siblings: Victor

Rock Singers British Men

Height: 5'9" (175 cm), 5'9" Males

Died on: December 22, 2014

place of death: Crawford, Colorado, United States

Diseases & Disabilities: Lung Cancer

Cause of Death: Lung Cancer

City: Sheffield, England

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1

What was Joe Cocker known for?

Joe Cocker was known for his distinctive soulful voice and energetic live performances.
2

How did Joe Cocker start his music career?

Joe Cocker started his music career by performing in pubs and clubs in Sheffield, England before gaining recognition for his cover of The Beatles' song "With a Little Help from My Friends."
3

What was Joe Cocker's most famous performance?

Joe Cocker's most famous performance was at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, where his electrifying rendition of "With a Little Help from My Friends" became iconic.
4

Did Joe Cocker collaborate with other artists?

Yes, Joe Cocker collaborated with various artists over the years, including Jennifer Warnes on the hit duet "Up Where We Belong."
5

Was Joe Cocker inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Yes, Joe Cocker was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011 in recognition of his contributions to music.

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Childhood & Early Life

Joe Cocker was born on 20 May 1944, in Crookes, Sheffield, as the youngest son of Harold Cocker and Madge Cocker. His father was a civil servant.

He loved listening to music from a young age and was influenced by the singers Ray Charles and Lonnie Donegan.

He began to sing publicly when he was 12. He formed his first group, the Cavaliers, in 1960, with three friends.

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British Rock Singers

Career

Joe Cocker adopted a stage name, Vance Arnold, in 1961 and formed another group, Vance Arnold and the Avengers. The group basically performed covers of the songs of Ray Charles and Chuck Berry.

The group got the first big chance when they got the opportunity to support the Rolling Stones at Sheffield City Hall in 1963. The very next year, he signed as a solo act with Decca. The first single he released was a cover of The Beatles’ ‘I’ll Cry Instead’. It was a flop and his contract was cancelled.

In 1966, he formed a band – ‘The Grease’ with Chris Stainton. This group played in pubs around Sheffield. Denny Cordell, the producer of the Procol Harum and the Moody Blues noticed the band and invited Cocker to record a single, ‘Marjorine’.

In 1968, he released the single that would make him really famous. It was a cover version of the single ‘With a Little Help from My Friends’, originally performed by the Beatles. This single peaked at No.1 in the U.K. and was also a minor success in the U.S.

By now the original Grease band had dissolved and Cocker had re-established a new band of the same name consisting of Henry McCullough, and Tommy Eyre. He toured the U.K in late 1968 and early 1969.

He released an album, ‘With a Little Help from My Friends’ in 1969. It reached No.35 on the U.S. Billboard and went gold. The album was named after the cover single he had released the previous year.

He brought out his second album later the same year. It was titled, ‘Joe Cocker!’ Following the trend of his debut album, this too contained numerous covers of songs originally performed by popular singers such as Bob Dylan, The Beatles and Leonard Cohen.

He released several other albums over the 1970s including ‘I Can Stand a Little Rain’ (1974), ‘Jamaica Say You Will’ (1975), ‘Stingray’ (1976) and ‘Luxury You Can afford’ (1978). But none of these albums performed well.

He recorded the duet ‘Up Where We Belong’ with Jennifer Warnes for the soundtrack of the film ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ in 1982. The song was a super hit at the international level and won several awards. His studio albums for the decade included ‘Sheffield Steel’ (1982), ‘Civilized Man’ (1984), and ‘Unchain My Heart’ (1987).

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He continued touring and performing through the 1990s and 2000s. In spite of his advancing age, he remains active on the musical scenario with his public appearances.

Major Works

His cover version of the Beatles’ single ‘With a Little Help from My Friends’ was the song that catapulted him to international fame. The single hit No.1 in the U.K and popularized Cocker. It also brought him in favourable relations with the Beatles.

Awards & Achievements

Joe Cocker won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo in 1983 for the No.1 hit single ‘Up Where We Belong’, a duet he sang with Jennifer Warnes.

He was made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) at Buckingham Palace in 2007 for his services to music.

Personal Life & Legacy

Joe Cocker dated Eileen Webster intermittently from 1963 to 1976 before breaking up with her.

He married Pam Baker, a huge fan of his, in 1987. After marriage, the couple lived in Colorado.

He died of lung cancer on 22 December 2014 in Crawford, Colorado at the age of 70.

Facts About Joe Cocker

Joe Cocker had a unique habit of contorting his body and making expressive facial gestures while performing on stage, earning him the nickname "The Mad Dog of Rock 'n' Roll."

Despite his powerful and raspy voice, Cocker was known for his shy and humble demeanor off stage, often expressing gratitude towards his fans and fellow musicians.

In the 1980s, Cocker became an unlikely fashion icon with his signature scruffy look and leather jackets, inspiring a generation of fans to embrace a more rugged style.

Cocker had a love for animals and was known to be a passionate advocate for animal rights, often using his platform to raise awareness about issues affecting wildlife and domestic pets.

Throughout his career, Cocker collaborated with a diverse range of artists, from blues legends like BB King to pop stars like Jennifer Warnes, showcasing his versatility and ability to connect with musicians from different genres.

Joe Cocker Biography

You wanted to know

What was Joe Cocker known for?

How did Joe Cocker start his music career?

What was Joe Cocker's most famous performance?

Did Joe Cocker collaborate with other artists?

Was Joe Cocker inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?