English rock and blues singer, Joe Cocker, has died aged 70.
He was known for his signature gravelly voice and jerking body movements — and his cover versions of popular songs, particularly those of the Beatles, notably 'With a Little Help from My Friends' which reached number one in the UK in 1968. This also became the theme song for the TV series The Wonder Years.
Wikipedia records his 1975 hit single, 'You Are So Beautiful', reached number five in the US. Cocker is the recipient of several awards, including a 1983 Grammy Award for his US number one 'Up Where We Belong', a duet with Jennifer Warnes. In 1993 he was nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Male, and in 2008 he received an OBE at Buckingham Palace for services to music Cocker was ranked #97 on Rolling Stone's 100 greatest singers list.
He had toured Australia many times — most recently in 2011.
Sony Music has released this statement:
John Robert Cocker, known to family, friends, his community and fans around the world as Joe Cocker, passed away on December 22, 2014 after a hard fought battle with small cell lung cancer. Mr Cocker was 70 years old.
Joe Cocker was born 5/20/1944 in Sheffield, England where he lived until his early 20s. In 2007 he was awarded the OBE by the Queen of England.
His international success as a blues/rock singer began in 1964 and continues till this day. Joe created nearly 40 albums and toured extensively around the globe.
Joe Cocker was born 5/20/1944 in Sheffield, England where he lived until his early 20s. In 2007 he was awarded the OBE by the Queen of England.
His international success as a blues/rock singer began in 1964 and continues till this day. Joe created nearly 40 albums and toured extensively around the globe.
