by Gene Howington
It’s a loss for the world. Yesterday, singular musical talent Joe Cocker passed away at the age of 70, a victim of small cell lung cancer. Born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Cocker began performing in 1961 under the stage name Vance Arnold and his band, Vance Arnold and the Avengers. They were not a hit. Having developed a strong interest in the blues music of performers like Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker, Cocker dropped the stage name in 1964 and formed Joe Cocker’s Big Blues. His dusky voice was fantastic match to that style of blues rock. His first big hit came in 1968 with a Beatles cover that would go on to become what is probably his signature song, With a Little Help from My Friends. A song that could very well serve as an unofficial theme for this very blog. So without further ado, there is no better way to remember the man than his music.
One of my personal favorites . . .
He could even do a more soulful turn . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paAeRbTJW6U
He could be informal . . .
He was so great, even parody only made him (and his pal Leon Russell) stronger . . .
And last, but not least . . .
And an alternative live performance of the same song done for German television. The sound isn’t great, but the nearly acoustic performance is one for the ages . . .
You were beautiful, Joe. We’ll miss you.
Nicole Plyler Fisk
Gene Howington
FFS Guest Blogger
Joy of Fishes
Chuck Stanley
shortfinals
Terry Welshans
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wordcloud9
Flowers For Socrates 
Gene,
A fitting musical tribute to Joe Cocker, who was one of the greatest singers of my time on the planet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tpz1Rsiw0AU
John Belushi and Joe Cocker
Thanks for the links. My music for the morning, oops, afternoon.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/22/showbiz/music/joe-cocker-singer-obit/ ” “He credited his wife, Pam, with helping him get sober.
“It was Pam who helped me get myself back together,” he said. “She made me think positively. I was very down on myself. She made me realize people still wanted to hear me sing, and convinced me I could escape the downward spiral.”
In 2012 he released the album, “Hard Knocks.” That year he talked to NPR about the project and his love of his life in Colorado — despite the harsh winters.
“I embrace the winter these days,” he said in the interview. “The best thing to do is get a big house. If you are going to have cabin fever, have a big cabin. I walk on a regular basis, I have a couple of dogs. The house tucks right into the mountains. I literally feel I have become a mountain man over these past couple of years.” “
A shoutout to my dad for pointing this one out. A great video tribute to Joe Cocker put together by The Guardian.
http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2014/dec/22/singer-joe-cocker-died-aged-70-video
This story has a bit of a weird feel to me because yesterday morning, I went to buy a truck with dad and, as we are wont to do, we were talking about music. Specifically Joe Cocker. It was strange to return home and find out he had passed away.
I posted this yesterday on the Saturday morning music thread a repost Joe Cocker and the Crusader BTW Joe Sample of the Crusaders passed away also so I will post a clip of Joe Sample also,Rest in Peace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR2EYg-Yp5s