Remembering Joe Cocker

John Robert Cocker was born May 20, 1944 somewhere in England. He was the youngest son of a civil servant, Richard Cocker, and Martha Cocker. According to differing family stories, Cocker received his nickname of Joe either from his Mother’s ‘special friend, “Cowboy Joe”, or from a local window cleaner named Joe. The joke around town was, “Cocker!? Nearly Killed er!”

With a Little Help

Joe had his first hit when he covered the Beatles “With a Little Help From My Friends” in 1968. His performance at Woodstock was legendary. Joe made his mark in the music business by his incredible musical interpretations and his outrageous stage antics. Joe’s unique movements and spasms are actually symptoms of a lifelong condition. When he was 7, Joe was kicked by a Mule and began these ticks and spastic movements. (*Who could forget John Belushi’s portrayal on SNL!?)

Remembering Joe Cocker — Joe Cocker Illustration By Paul King Art

TV, festivals, Leon Russell, Mad Dogs & Englishmen, “Feelin Alright”, “Cry Me a River”, “You are so Beautiful”, & “The Letter”. Joe was arrested for marijuana in Australia and they gave him 24 hours to run or they were going to arrest him. Cocker began drinking heavily and once threw up on the audience during a concert in Istanbul.

Joe was an incredible talent and singer and has won many awards and accolades but he is not in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame because Jann Wenner is a douche. A big douche. Joe passed in 2014. It was a huge loss to the musical world.