Joe Cocker OBE (1944-2014), A Unique Singer Known For His Soulful Voice and Passionate Stage Presence

John Robert “Joe” Cocker OBE, the English singer known for his soulful voice and passionate stage presence while performing, sadly died on December 22, 2014 from the ravages of lung cancer at his home in Crawford, Colorado. He was 70 years old.

Sir Paul McCartney, whose songs Joe covered during the course of his career, paid loving tribute his old friend.

It’s really sad to hear about Joe’s passing. He was a lovely northern lad who I loved a lot and, like many people, I loved his singing I was especially pleased when he decided to cover With A Little Help From My Friends and I remember him and (producer) Denny Cordell coming round to the studio in Savile Row and playing me what they’d recorded and it was just mind-blowing, totally turned the song into a soul anthem and I was forever grateful for him for doing that. I knew him through the years as a good mate and I was so sad to hear that he had been ill and really sad to hear today that he had passed away. He was a great guy, a lovely guy who brought so much to the world and we’ll all miss him.

Well said, Sir Paul. Rest in peace, Joe. We will miss your beautiful voice indeed.