Joe Cocker

**Joe Cocker** (born *John Robert Cocker* on 1944-05-20) was an English singer whose gritty, raspy voice and flamboyant stage presence made him one of the most distinctive vocalists of the rock and blues era. Growing up in Sheffield, Yorkshire, he was deeply influenced by Ray Charles and Lonnie Donegan, and he first sang publicly at the age of twelve when his older brother invited him on stage. After a brief stint as a gas‑fitter, Cocker formed a succession of early bands, most notably the Grease Band, before achieving worldwide fame with his soulful cover of the Beatles’ “With a Little Help from My Friends,” which topped the UK charts in 1968 and became the anthem of the 1969 Woodstock Festival. His dynamic performances at Woodstock and the Isle of Wight cemented his reputation as a live powerhouse, while his 1970 Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour, assembled by Leon Russell, showcased his ability to command an army of musicians on stage. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s Cocker delivered a string of hit singles, including “You Are So Beautiful” and the Grammy‑winning duet “Up Where We Belong” with Jennifer Warnes, which also earned an Academy Award. He continued to record prolifically, releasing 22 studio albums over a 43‑year career and earning accolades such as an OBE in 2007 and a posthumous induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2025. Despite battles with alcoholism and health issues, his relentless touring schedule kept him connected to fans worldwide, and his powerful renditions remained a staple in films, television, and commercials.

In his personal life, Cocker married *Pam Baker* in 1987, and although he never had children, his legacy lives on through countless tributes and the admiration of fellow musicians like Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. His later years saw collaborations with artists such as the Crusaders and Carlos Santana, and he continued to champion new music with albums like *Fire It Up* (2012). Cocker’s death from lung cancer on 2014-12-22 in Crawford, Colorado marked the end of an era, but his unmistakable voice and emotive delivery continue to inspire new generations of singers and listeners alike.