Joe Cocker life and biography

John Robert "Joe" Cocker, OBE (born on 20 May 1944 in Sheffield, England) is an English rock/blues musician, composer and actor who came to popularity in the 1960s, and is most known for his gritty voice, his idiosyncratic arm movements while performing, and his cover versions of popular songs, particularly those of The Beatles. He is the recipient of several awards, including a 1983 Grammy Award for his song "Up Where We Belong", a duet which he performed with Jennifer Warnes. He was ranked #97 on Rolling Stone's 100 greatest singers list.

Joe Cocker is one of rock and roll's enduring performers who has survived the sixties, a low period in the seventies, made a comeback in the eighties, and continues to be a solid and consistent performer in the nineties. His gutsy, gravelly, vocal style and unique stage presence make him one of the most dynamic singers in the music industry.

He started out in Sheffield, England in the mid sixties, working as gas plumber by day and performing in the clubs of the area by night. After hooking up with another "Sheffielder," Chris Stainton, they recorded "Marjorine" - a minor success in the U.K. Shortly thereafter, they recorded "With a Little Help From My Friends," produced by Denny Cordell of A&M Records. This album featured guest performers Jimmy Page, Steve Winwood and Matthew Fischer. It quickly took off and received airplay on both sides of the Atlantic. The title track on the album is arguably Cocker's best, it became a major highlight of the Woodstock Festival in 1969, and surpasses the original recording by the Beatles. After touring the states, he recorded the album, "Joe Cocker!," produced by Leon Russell and Denny Cordell.

The album was universally lauded by the critics and featured songs such as"She Came in Through the Bathroom Window," "Delta Lady," "Darling Be Home Soon," and a rollicking rendition of "Hitchcock Railway." After two years of constant touring, Cocker was ready for a break and wanted to go home. This, however, was not to be the case. He had made commitments to appear in concerts throughout the states and the U.S. Immigration Department said the contracts must be honored or he was in danger of never being able to work again in America. With some help from Leon Russell, a motley group of talented musicians was quickly formed to fulfill the promised concert dates.

The "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" tour produced an album and a movie detailing the zaniness and the circus-like atmosphere of the forty three person entourage. They whipped through thiry nine cities in a little less than two months. After this endeavor, Cocker was physically exhausted, emotionally drained, and in trouble legally and financially. He went into seclusion, travelling in his van around England, making an attempt to find himself again.

In the ensuing years, 1971 - 1974, there were numerous reports of alcohol and drug abuse. His episodes of public drunkeness were as well known as his talents, and the music industry mavens had written Cocker off as "washed up, an early burn-out." The albums released during this period included "Joe Cocker," "I Can Stand a Little Rain," "Stingray," and "Jamaica, Say You Will." None of them were artistically great, nor did they come close to the commercial successes of his previous releases. There were some songs that received airplay, "High Time We Went," "Fun Time," "Put Out the Light," and "You Are So Beautiful." There was a period of about four years where he didn't record at all; instead, he toured constantly, playing mostly small clubs to pay the bills and to satisfy his need to perform.

Joe then left A&M to record an album for Asylum Records and his career was once again on the upswing. "A Luxury You Can Afford" had some great tunes on it - "Watch the River Flow," "Fun Time," and a marvelous cover of "Heard It Through the Grapevine." The following release "Sheffield Steel," showcased Cocker at his very best. The album is so well rounded, covering everything from get-down rock and roll to soul-searing gospel. The most notable cuts on this one are: "Many Rivers to Cross," "Seven Days," "Sweet Little Woman," and "Just Like Always." The later releases from Joe Cocker include: "Civilized Man," "Cocker Live," "Unchain My Heart," "One Night of Sin," and "Have a Little Faith." These releases have earned him four consecutive Grammy nominations for best male rock vocal performance.

In 1995, A&M Records released "The Long Voyage Home," a four CD box-set with material, some previously unreleased, that encompasses the highlights of Joe's career. This album is a must have for any Cocker fan. Sony Music has recently released the "Organic" album. On this one, many of Joe's hits have been reworked, giving them an entirely new sound. Some notable cuts include "Anybody Seen My Girl, You and I" and an outstanding "You Are So Beautiful." Joe Cocker's ability to take a song, rework it from his soul and make it entirely his own is a talent that few performers in the music industry have. His career has been full of ups and downs but he continues to be one of rock music's strongest assets.

He still charted during the '90s, albeit with less frequency than he did in the '70s and '80s, and has also continued to work throughout the new millennium. No Ordinary World was his first release since 1997's Across from Midnight. Respect Yourself appeared in 2002, and the covers album Heart & Soul followed in 2004. The European release Hymn for My Soul, which features cover versions of songs by Stevie Wonder, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, and John Fogerty, was issued on Parlophone in 2007.

In April and May 2009, Cocker conducted a mammoth North American tour in support of his latest album Hymn for My Soul. He is also planning a new studio release for 2010 that will feature a modern look at classic rhythm and blues.
His complete Live at Woodstock performance was released on CD in 2009.

Personal life

In 1963, Cocker began dating Eileen Webster, also a resident of Sheffield. The couple dated intermittently for the next thirteen years, separating permanently in 1976. In 1978, Cocker moved onto a ranch owned by Jane Fonda in Santa Barbara, California. Pam Baker, a local summer camp director and fan of Cocker's music convinced the actress to rent the house to Cocker. Baker began dating Cocker and they eventually married on 11 October 1987. The couple currently reside on the Mad Dog Ranch in Crawford, Colorado.

Cocker is not related to fellow Sheffield-born musician Jarvis Cocker, despite this being a rumour (particularly in Australia, where Jarvis' father Mack Cocker was a radio DJ who allowed listeners to believe he was Cocker's brother).

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