It was a sad day in the world of Rock and Roll as we learned today that Joe Cocker died of lung cancer at the age of 70.
The English Blues/Rocker hit worldwide prominence in the late 60’s on both sides of the pond where his Beatles cover of “With a Little Help From My Friends” went number one in the United Kingdom, and though only went to 68 in the United States, his live version of the song at Woodstock was a major moment of what would become the most important concert of a generation.
Joe Cocker would embark on a large American tour and would quickly become more famous in North America than in his native United Kingdom. Cocker, whose raspy voice and soulful delivery already made him unique had a herky jerky motion on stage and his penchant for playing air guitar made a Joe Cocker concert a spectacle.
His 1970 live album, “Mad Dogs and Englishmen” would become his staple effort, and essential listening for anyone who wants to learn what Cocker was all about. Cocker’s rendition of “The Letter” would become his first U.S. top ten hit, and he would have a string of minor hits through the 70’s, but would remain a solid concert draw.
Cocker would enjoy his greatest hit internationally when he recorded “Up Where We Belong”, a duet with Jennifer Warnes from the Officer and a Gentlemen Soundtrack. The song won an Academy Award for best original song and went number one in multiple countries. Cocker was exposed to a new generation, and he continued to have chart success throughout the decade and still generated sold out concerts until he recently stopped touring.
Cocker, who was named by Rolling Stone Magazine as the 97th best singer of all time, may not have been known as a songwriter, but nobody could doubt that once he took a song under his wing, he made it his own to the point where the original artist would no longer be identified by it.
He has not been nominated by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and as of our last ranking, we had him at #125 on our Notinhalloffame Rock list.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to offer our condolences to the friends and family of Joe Cocker at this time.
Until then, we ask you all to listen to “Mad Dogs and Englishmen” and crack open a bottle. That is what we intend to do.
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