Joe Cocker

Famous British musician Joe Cocker (full name John Robert Cocker) was born in Sheffield in 1944. Joe had to quit the school and he started working because of the difficult financial situation in his family; however the singer found strength and will to begin the musical career. Thus, in early sixties Cocker was performing at small pubs in Sheffield, getting the precious experience. In 1968 he recorded an interesting interpretation of legendary The Beatles’ song With A Little Help From My Friends, and that cover-version became the real basis in Cocker’s career.

The debut work With A Little Help From My Friends saw the light in 1969. This album was very well received by listeners and in the USA it was certified Gold. The same year Joe released the self-titled long play Joe Cocker! (1969), which intensified music lovers’ interest in Cocker’s creativity. That fact was not a surprise: wonderful arrangements and touching lyrics did not leave anyone ignored. In 1982 the singer’s discography was enlarged by the strong album Sheffield Steel: it presented the signature sound and it was critically acclaimed as well. It is definitely worth mentioning that Joe’s thick baritone became one of the most recognizable features of his creativity, and for many people Cocker’s name is associated, first of all, with the famous composition My Father's Son (from the album of 1999 - No Ordinary World), which demonstrates the full charm of the singer’s vocals.

In spite of the long and more than just fruitful career, Joe Cocker still has plenty of fresh ideas that he perfectly realizes in his albums. Thereby in 2004 he issued the strong long play Heart & Soul, and the cover-versions, presented by the singer, satisfied the fans expectations. Of course, the recognizable atmosphere and signature sound made an incredible impression. Joe pleased his listeners with the long play Hymn For My Soul in 2007. For that album he created cover-versions of Stevie Wonder’s You Haven't Done Nothin, Bob Dylan’s Ring Them Bells and other performers’ compositions. Joe released the new album titled Hard Knocks in 2010, and that studio attempt proved not only the high level of the record itself, but also the incredible level of the singer’s skills and talent. There is absolutely no doubt that Hard Knocks, created in the best Cocker’s traditions, will be much enjoyed by all the lovers of high quality music and smart and delicate lyrics.