Born in 1944, Joe Cocker was one of those singers whose sound was unmistakably unique. In a career that spanned more than fifty years, that gritty, raspy trademark voice earned him the distinction of "one of the most soulful white rock singers to have emerged from Britain".
He had some success early on, especially after doing a cover of the Beatles's "With a Little Help from My Friends". Woodstock was on his resume, as was the British equivalent, the Isle of Wight Festival. Moreover, he's associated with what I think is one of classic rock's most epicly named bands - Mad Dogs and Englishmen. Unfortunately, his career took a drastic detour when he became ensnared in alcohol and drug abuse, and this haze lasted for the rest of the 70's.
But then came the 80's. He partnered with Jennifer Warnes on "Up Where We Belong" for An Officer and a Gentleman. Suddenly, this small town boy who once aspired to be a gasfitter was now sporting a Grammy and an Oscar. Multiple award nominations followed for the rest of the 80's and 90's. These culminated in 2007 when he was appointed to the Order of the British Empire - that's a huge 180 for a guy who was once thrown out of Australia for drug and assault charges.
Classic rockdom lost another Woodstock generation alumnus when Joe Cocker lost his battle to lung cancer on 22 December 2014. The one album of his that I own, 1990's Joe Cocker Live is basically his musical CV; it has all his career highlights including today's selection, "When the Night Comes". Thanks for the music, you crazy Englishman.
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