Jeff Wexler Posted December 22, 2014 Report Share Posted December 22, 2014 One of the greats, his unique singing style will be missed! Singer Joe Cocker, best known for his cover of the Beatles' With A Little Help From My Friends, has died aged 70. The singer song-writer from Sheffield had a career lasting more than 40 years with hits including You Are So Beautiful and Up Where We Belong. His agent Barrie Marshall confirmed that he had died of an undisclosed illness. He said he was "simply unique" and "it will be impossible to fill the space he leaves in our hearts." Known for his gritty voice, Cocker began his singing career in the pubs and clubs of Sheffield in the 1960s before hitting the big time. He was propelled to pop stardom when his version of The Beatles' With A Little Help from My Friends reached number one. His duet with Jennifer Warnes, Up Where We Belong - from An Officer And A Gentleman - hit number one and went on to win both a Grammy and an Academy Award. He was honoured with an OBE in 2007. Last year he broke all his own records in arenas across Europe, with a number one album in Germany and what was to be his final concert in Hammersmith, London, in June. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundtrane Posted December 22, 2014 Report Share Posted December 22, 2014 what!!!!! oh man oh man oh man... i am so terribly sad.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundtrane Posted December 22, 2014 Report Share Posted December 22, 2014 I remember the time Joe Cocker was introduced to me by my friend (and teacher of the odd/strange/world/jazz/eclectic music) Warren Senders (Boston): Well, you know, they heard him sing and said "he sounded like a 60 year old janitor in a NYC tube station wash room facility..." it was amazing. What a man, what a voice and what passion... a true loss... the world is becoming more and more less and less... -vin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ze Frias Posted December 22, 2014 Report Share Posted December 22, 2014 Wow! I can't believe it. R.I.P.! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Reineke Posted December 22, 2014 Report Share Posted December 22, 2014 What a shame, RIP Joe. According to ITV "Joe Cocker, passed away after a hard fought battle with small cell lung cancer." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old school Posted December 22, 2014 Report Share Posted December 22, 2014 I was one of the lucky ones in that I saw him on the Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour. Seemed like 50 people on stage with him but he was the driving force. RIP Joe Cocker. A true original voice. CrewC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Gilbert Posted December 22, 2014 Report Share Posted December 22, 2014 Sheffield's finest, a great man and a great performer. He had as many bad times as good, but he'll always be remembered for being one of the greats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Osborn Posted December 22, 2014 Report Share Posted December 22, 2014 Gone but not forgotten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al mcguire Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 Lung cancer. Joe could cover a hit record and make it his own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al mcguire Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 From Dave Mason FB page Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old school Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Wexler Posted December 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 Thank you, Al, for the Dave Mason post, and thank you, Crew... I Shall Be Released Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirror Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 Did Joe Cocker write anything of his own? He seems to only cover other peoples songs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al mcguire Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 Joe Cocker was a gifted interpreter of other peoples songs and yes he did write some of his own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old school Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 mirror, I guess that's a good question, though it seems odd for a remembrance of someone who just died. The way it is in music is a singer sings. An interpreter like Joe Cocker or say Frank Sinatra sings someone else's song and makes it their own, and a singer/songwriter sings their own songs and those are often covered by many others like Bob Dylan. who was covered to greater success than his own by the Byrds, Sonny and Cher, and even Jimi Hendricks. Personally I don't care who wrote a song as much as I care if the song moves me. Joe Cocker always did. RIP Joe. CrewC On another note Joe Strummer also passed on 12-22-2002. As unique a voice in his own time IMO. I miss them both. At least their music lives on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whit Norris Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 Wow great post! Had the privilege of seeing Joe Cocker live in NY at the Beacon Theater in 1987. What a incredible concert and performance... One I have always remembered as one of the great entertainers in rock and roll! Whit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirror Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 mirror, I guess that's a good question, though it seems odd for a remembrance of someone who just died. The way it is in music is a singer sings. An interpreter like Joe Cocker or say Frank Sinatra sings someone else's song and makes it their own, and a singer/songwriter sings their own songs and those are often covered by many others like Bob Dylan. who was covered to greater success than his own by the Byrds, Sonny and Cher, and even Jimi Hendricks. Personally I don't care who wrote a song as much as I care if the song moves me. Joe Cocker always did. RIP Joe. CrewC On another note Joe Strummer also passed on 12-22-2002. As unique a voice in his own time IMO. I miss them both. At least their music lives on. Actually I've wondered that for years but the thought would pass before I could google the answer. Brought it up here to see if anyone knew off the top of their head. I'm a fan of his work. Besides enjoying his unique voice, it was a trip just to watch him perform. I never knew someone could sing while in the throws of a grand mal seizure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al mcguire Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 It must be the Christmas season, I actually agree with the Mirror. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadoStefanov Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Hxz6qJi-9k&feature=youtu.be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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