Cocker Joe, born John Robert Cocker, *20 May 1944 Sheffield, †22 December 2014 Crawford (Colorado), English singer, drummer, composer and songwriter. He had no formal musical training. From the early 1960s, he was associated with skiffle and rhythm and blues bands, initially as a drummer and later also as a singer. In 1964, Cocker sang I’ll Cry Instead on his debut single for Decca Records; he gained popularity with another song from The Beatles’ repertoire, With a Little Help from My Friends (1968). Cocker’s first albums included covers of songs by Lennon and McCartney (She Came in Through the Bathroom Window), Dylan (Just Like a Woman, I Shall Be Released, Dear Landlord) and rock and roll classics (Feelin’ Alright, Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, Lawdy Miss Clawdy, Honky Tonk Woman); there were also original songs composed by Cocker together with pianist Charles Stanton (Marjorine, That’s Your Business, Woman to Woman). In addition to studio recordings, Cocker often performed live, took part in rock festivals (Newport 1969, Woodstock 1969, Isle of Wight 1969), and in 1970 went on tour in the United States. This was captured in the films Woodstock (dir. M. Wadleigh, 1970) and Joe Cocker, Mad Dogs and Englishmen (dir. P. Adidge, 1970). During this time, he recorded with The Grease Band (1964–69), L. Russell, J. Page, S. Winwood, A. Lee, N. Hubbard, H. McCullough, R. Newman, J. Porcaro, and B. Preston; however, the regularly released albums were not popular. In the mid-1970s, Cocker’s repertoire became less interesting and his covers less original. What’s more, the artist became addicted to alcohol and drugs. The turning point came in 1981 when Cocker began collaborating with The Crusaders (I’m So Glad I’m Standing Here Today, This Old World’s Too Funky for Me). The following year, Cocker signed a recording contract with Island Records, for whom he recorded the album Sheffield Steel with a group of top musicians (A. Belew, R. Shakespeare, S. Dunbar, R. Palmer). The song Up Where We Belong from this album won a Grammy and an Oscar in 1983. Cocker’s renewed popularity came thanks to the use of his songs in many films: An Officer and a Gentleman (dir. T. Hackford, 1982), Teachers (dir. A. Hiller, 1984), 9½ Weeks (dir. A. Lyne, 1986), Harry and the Hendersons (dir. W. Dear, 1987), The Cutting Edge (dir. P.M. Glaser, 1992). In the 1990s, the artist returned to touring; he participated in, among others, the J. Lennon Tribute Concert (1990), Rock in Rio II (1991), Guitar Legends in Seville (1991), the Montreux Jazz Festival (1992) and Woodstock II (1994). He visited Poland several times (1995, 1998, 2000, 2007, 2010, 2013). Cocker had a low, hoarse voice and felt most at home with soul music and ballads. He performed melodically uncomplicated songs with incredible commitment and expression, following the example of African-American performers. His greatest hits include: Delta Lady (1969), You Are So Beautiful (1975), Up Where We Belong (1982), You Can Leave Your Hat on (1986), Unchain My Heart (1987), When the Night Comes (1990), (All I Know) Feels Like Forever (1992), Have a Little Faith (1995). His albums include: With a Little Help from My Friends (1969), Johnny Cash! (1969), Something to Say (1973), I Can Stand a Little Rain (1974), Stingray (1976), Civilized Man (1984), Unchain My Heart (1987), Live (1990), Night Calls (1992), Have a Little Faith (1994), Organic (1996), Across from Midnight (1997), No Ordinary World (1999). He recorded for the studios A&M, Asylum, Island and Capitol.
Literature: J.P. Bean Johny Cash. With a Little Help from My Friends, London 1991.
