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Joe Cocker (real name John Robert Cocker) was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire in May, 1944, and made his mark as singer Vance Arnold with a group called The Avengers, who supported The Rolling Stones in 1963. Joe quit his job the next year, to concentrate fully on his music career, and recorded a cover of that underrated Beatles song 'I'll Cry Instead'. By this time, Cocker's band Joe Cocker Big Blues was garnering a reputation, but no real big success, and, after a lean time, Joe formed The Grease Band, and they gained a residency at the prestigious Marquee Club. As Joe's reputation grew he was able to recruit music luminaries such as Jimmy Page and Stevie Winwood for his projects. In 1968, Joe's rendition of 'A Little Help From My Friends' made him a star, and was one of the outstanding moments at Woodstock in 1969. The '70s started off with Joe as one of the most respected vocalists around, but financial and drink problems saw his career spiralling downwards. But, he came back with a vengeance with his first U.S. number one in 1982, duetting with Jennifer Warnes with 'Up Where We Belong', which was the theme song for the hit film, 'An Officer And A Gentleman'. Cocker's gravelly singing style has a manic intensity, which is almost unparalleled, of which 'Delta Lady' was a good example, but he can really pull at the heartstrings with a more gentle style, too, as with 'You Are So Beautiful'. - Paul Rance.

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