Posted on 12/23/2014 9:49:46 AM PST by Morgana
(CNN) -- Joe Cocker, the British blues-rock singer whose raspy voice brought plaintive soul to such hits as "You Are So Beautiful" and the duet "Up Where We Belong," died Monday after a battle with lung cancer. He was 70.
Cocker's performing career spanned some 50 years, from Woodstock, where he sang the Beatles' "With a Little Help From My Friends," to the digital-music era. He had tour dates scheduled well into 2015.
"Goodbye and God bless to Joe Cocker from one of his friends peace and love," tweeted Beatles drummer Ringo Starr.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
To confess it wasn't really in person. I believe I saw him the first time they released "Woodstock" at the movie theater in Newport RI while I was stationed at the Newport Naval Base.
I thought he looked like he was spastic and suffering from some sort of neuro-muscular disease. To me, he made Charlie Watts look like the picture of health.
So, I'm kind of surprised to hear he was still alive (until recently).
One of my favorite songs of all time: “(Ain’t it) High Time We Went”
Just heard it this AM, and was blown away all over- my kids thought I was nuts turning the stereo up so loud while they were sleeping
Then there was a touching tribute from Paul McCartney who said Joe came to play for him their cover of “High with a little help from my friends” before they released it
There weren’t many who could take a Beatles’ song and make theirs’ the definitive version, like Joe could.
true musical legend- true ‘interpreter’ of songs-
Lydia Pense, lead singer for "Cold Blood" saw him perform and some of the style "just happened" to her shortly after that during a concert of her own. A lot of the mannerisms took hold and she never really abandoned them.
I don’t know what he was like off stage, but he was one strange, crazy eyed, wildly animated performer, he appeared to me like someone who had only two choices; musical performer or serial killer, I enjoyed watching him maybe more so then hearing him RIP.
I don’t think ANY cover of a Beatles song is ‘better’ than the original, but Joe’s was certainly pretty awesome
Mine , also . He and his wife have a beautiful home and ranch on the western slope of colorado . Once a year they opened up their home to the public for a fee and donated all the proceeds to a childrens foundation .
You go ‘way first!
Radios have controls for volume and station. It’s easy to adjust them when something you don’t like comes on.
Strange - he comes through your radio and you don’t turn it off and then you go onto a Free Republic thread about him. Who is making you do all of these strange things?
Relax - I was responding to post #20 by miss marmelstein who was complaining about his music on her radio. I love Joe Cocker - in fact, his bodyguards beat up a friend of mine back in the early 70’s.
RIP, Joe.
I guess you went OUT the bathroom window.
Sorry - meant to reply to miss marmelstein. The summer of Woodstock I was 18 and a couple of guys at work come up to me and ask if I want to go with them and I said no. Certainly one of the dumbest things I have ever done.
Was it “high time he went?”
I agree, though, he was one of a kind. And I always enjoyed listening to him I guess.
Like a writer of today, if you saw Joe Cocker without his hands on a piano, (keyboard), standing at the mike, he didn’t know what to do!
His death is unfortunate, but it will secure his music.
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