• May 20, 1944-December 22, 2014
• A British white soul singer, Joe Cocker's performance at Woodstock a few months after his debut album was released gave him a huge career boost. A highlight of his set was his version of the Beatles' "With A Little Help From My Friends."
• He attended Sheffield Central Technical School in England and worked as a gas fitter for the East Midlands Gas Board.
• Cocker's first group was the Cavaliers in 1959. He was the drummer and harmonica player. When he moved to lead vocals in 1961, they changed their name to Vance Arnold and the Avengers. They toured some with the Rolling Stones and the Hollies.
• A big Motown fan, at one point Cocker had a cover band that played pubs in northern England.
• Cocker recorded his debut album with guest appearances from the likes of Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page and Traffic organist Steve Winwood.
• In 1976, Cocker was arrested in Australia for possession of marijuana. It was a sign of his many drug troubles at the time.
• Cocker was known for his erratic stage movements, which John Belushi famously imitated on Saturday Night Live. When Cocker appeared on the show in 1976, Belushi did an incredibly accurate imitation and then Cocker came out and sang with him.
• Joe got started by trying to emulate Ray Charles. He was a big fan and was impressed with Ray's talent. >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Ron - Melbourne, FL
• On stage, Cocker would often move his hand around, seemingly getting lost in the music. "Moving my hand around is subconscious with me," he explained. "A lot of the time I'm more or less conducting the band, just keeping a feel. I don't know why I do it. It's just one of those things."

Comments: 5

• Horn, from MichiganHeard him at a basement party. Mad dogs and English men. i thought it was Ray charles. after fussing, someone shows me the cover. Was hooked ever since. We called him Joe cocker the White soul rocker, enough said! Peace to the gods.....
• Ty from Indianapolis, Insupposedly alcohol killed his throat
• Aaron from Amelia, NeI'm not particularly fond of Cocker's version of "A Little Help", but his cover of "The Letter" is far superior to the original in my opinion. The jazz/big band elements that were a large part of Joe Cocker's music really lend themselves well to this song, and the trumpet/sax solos are AWESOME.
• Annabelle from Eugene, OrHow is Joe Cocker's voice so raspy? Does he have a frog in his throat?
• Marlow from Perth, Australiajoe cockers version of a 'help from my friends' was far better then the beatles. joe cocker was arrested for drug possesion while doing a concert tour in perth australia

More Songfacts:

HelloAdele

Adele's "Hello" was the first song to sell over a million downloads in a week.

Time In A BottleJim Croce

Jim Croce was killed in a plane crash on September 30, 1973. A few weeks later, his song "Time In A Bottle" hit #1.

Ants MarchingDave Matthews Band

The definitive Dave Matthews Band song, "Ants Marching" is a look at monotony, something they avoid by improvising at concerts and mixing up their setlists.

China GroveThe Doobie Brothers

There really is a China Grove (in Texas), but Tom Johnston didn't know about it when he wrote the Doobie Brothers song.

I Love ItIcona Pop

Icona Pop consider "I Love It" a kiss-off to their boyfriends. "We just wanted to get the song out and get the pigs to hear it," group member Jawo said.

(Don't Fear) The ReaperBlue Öyster Cult

Buck Dharma of Blue Oyster Cult wrote "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" after he was diagnosed with a heart condition and started thinking about his own mortality.

Editor's Picks

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenSong Writing

Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine BandSongwriter Interviews

Harry Wayne Casey tells the stories behind KC and The Sunshine Band hits like "Get Down Tonight," "That's The Way (I Like It)," and "Give It Up."

Don DokkenSongwriter Interviews

Dokken frontman Don Dokken explains what broke up the band at the height of their success in the late '80s, and talks about the botched surgery that paralyzed his right arm.

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real GroupSong Writing

The leader of the Modern A Cappella movement talks about the genre.

Steven Tyler of AerosmithSongwriter Interviews

Tyler talks about his true love: songwriting. How he identifies the beauty in a melody and turns sorrow into art.

Joan ArmatradingSongwriter Interviews

The revered singer-songwriter talks inspiration and explains why she put a mahout in "Drop the Pilot."