Musician Joe Cocker Dies at Age 70 after Battle with Lung Cancer … Rest in Peace

Sadly, one of my favorite singers of all times has passed away … A Classic Rocker.

Singer Joe Cocker, known for his raspy voice and incredible music ballads that included “You Are So Beautiful,” “Up Where We Belong,” and his Beatles cover “With a Little Help From My Friends” has passed away at the age of 70 from lung cancer. Cocker’s singing career lasted more than 40 years as he was propelled to super-stardom when he released his version of With A Little Help From My Friends that went to number one in 1968. Many of you younger folks remember it as the theme song to the TV show, the Wonder Years. However, it was much, much more than that as Cocker would perform the anthem song at Woodstock in 1969, see video below. On a personal note, I was too young to attend Woodstock, but that does not mean my older sister didn’t. Which might explain why my early introduction to music as a youngster, growing up listening to the Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplanes, Lynrd Skynrd, The Who, the Stones, Don McLean, Simon & Garfunkel, The Mama’s and the Papa’s, CCR, Bob Dylan and of course Joe Cocker.

Joe Cocker is survived by his wife, Pam, of Crawford; his brother Victor Cocker of Norfolk, England; his step daughter, Zoey Schroeder of Stevenson Ranch, CA and two grandchildren, Eva & Simon Schroeder. What a voice, take a listen HERE, we are going to miss you Joe, God bless and Rest in Peace.

The Sheffield-born singer had a career lasting more than 40 years, with hits including You Are So Beautiful and Up Where We Belong.

His agent Barrie Marshall said Cocker, who died after battling lung cancer, was “simply unique”.

Known for his gritty voice, Cocker – a former gas fitter – 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 With A Little Help From My Friends reached number one in 1968.

He performed the song at the famous Woodstock Festival in New York state a year later.

‘With A Little Help From My Friends’ – 1969 Woodstock

Joe Cocker Obit:

“Joe Cocker is a legendary artist of rock and blues history and yet he was one of the most humble men I’ve ever met. His iconic voice will forever be etched in our memories and our thoughts go out to Joe’s wife Pam and his family at this difficult time. Joe will live on in the hearts of millions of fans around the world.” Edgar Berger, Chairman and CEO, Sony Music Entertainment, International, who had signed Joe Cocker to Sony Music Entertainment.

Joe Cocker was born May 20, 1944 in Sheffield, England where he lived until his early 20’s. An outstanding interpreter of songs, his successes include a Number One single in the UK in November 1968 with his version of the Beatles’ ‘A Little Help from My Friends’. Joe’s career took off considerably after he performed this song at the Woodstock Festival in August 1969.

Joe enjoyed long walks in the mountains with his dogs, fly fishing in the Black Canyon, playing snooker with friends and growing tomatoes in his greenhouse year-round.

Joe Cocker is survived by his wife, Pam, of Crawford; his brother Victor Cocker of Norfolk, England; his step daughter, Zoey Schroeder of Stevenson Ranch, CA and two grandchildren, Eva & Simon Schroeder.

A private memorial is planned. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Cocker

Kids’ Foundation, P.O. Box 404, Crawford, CO. 81415. Read More

‘You Are So Beautiful’

Musician Joe Cocker dead at age 70.

Cocker, a song interpreter more than a songwriter, first became known through his hit cover of the Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends,” and a characteristically manic performance at the first Woodstock festival in 1969. His raucous “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” tour of 1970 produced a film and a recording that went gold.

He had a top 10 hit in 1975 on the aching ballad “You Are So Beautiful,” with his voice cracking on the final emotional note and won his first Grammy Award in 1983 for his “Up Where We Belong” duet with Jennifer Warnes, which was the theme of the movie “An Officer and a Gentleman.”

Cocker, who received an Order of the British Empire in 2011 for his contribution to music, released 40 albums and continued to tour after the hits dried up.

Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes: ‘Up Where We Belong’