Advertisement

British rock legend Joe Cocker dies

Dec 23, 2014
Joe Cocker performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2013.

Joe Cocker performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2013.

Joe Cocker, the legendary British singer of blues and rock behind hits such as “You Are So Beautiful,” has died at age 70.

Marshall Arts, which represented Cocker for more than 30 years, confirmed his death.

Cocker, who died late on Sunday in the United States, was “without the doubt the greatest rock/soul singer ever to come out of Britain,” his agent Barrie Marshall said in a statement.

The singer had a career spanning more than 40 years, and was perhaps best known for his cover of The Beatles’ song “With A Little Help From My Friends” and for “Up Where We Belong”.

The rock and blues veteran died after a battle with lung cancer, leaving behind his wife Pam.

Edgar Berger, chairman and chief executive of Sony Music Entertainment International, who signed Cocker, said: “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.”

Beatles drummer Ringo Starr paid tribute to his friend, saying: “Goodbye and God bless to Joe Cocker from one of his friends, peace and love.”

Cocker came to prominence in the early 1960s, famous for his distinctive gravelly voice.

His cover of “A Little Help From My Friends” reached number one in the UK in 1968, and a year later he performed the song at the famous Woodstock Festival, which helped launch his career.

He won his first Grammy in 1983 and an Oscar for his duet with Jennifer Warnes, “Up Where We Belong”, from the Richard Gere film An Officer And A Gentleman, and in 2011 he received an OBE for his contribution to music.

A prolific artist, he released 40 albums during his lengthy career.

READ MORE: Our interview with the immigration minister who deported Joe Cocker in 1972 – and got into trouble with his kids.

Local News Matters
Advertisement
Copyright © 2024 InDaily.
All rights reserved.