Birth of Joe Cocker
Joe Cocker is born in Sheffield, Yorkshire.
Role range: 1944-2014
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Joe Cocker Biography and Timeline
Follow Joe Cocker through 43 dated historical records for Great Britain.
Joe Cocker, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
43Distinct records
1 of 2Page
1944–2002Years on this page
1944
1961
Vance Arnold and the Avengers
Begins performing under the stage name Vance Arnold with the Avengers in Sheffield.
Role range: 1961-2014
1963
Supports the Rolling Stones
Performs with Vance Arnold and the Avengers as a support act for the Rolling Stones at Sheffield City Hall.
Role range: 1961-2014
1964
Debut Single I'll Cry Instead
Releases a cover of the Beatles song I'll Cry Instead as his debut solo single.
Role range: 1961-2014
Decca Recording Contract
Signs a solo recording contract with Decca Records.
Role range: 1961-2014
1966
Return to Music and Grease Band
Returns to performing and develops the Grease Band with fellow Sheffield musician Chris Stainton.
Role range: 1961-2014
1968
Marjorine UK Chart Entry
Releases Marjorine, which becomes his first entry on the UK singles chart and peaks at number 48.
Role range: 1961-2014
With a Little Help from My Friends Released
Releases his radical arrangement of the Beatles song With a Little Help from My Friends.
Role range: 1961-2014
First UK Number One Single
With a Little Help from My Friends reaches number one on the UK singles chart.
Role range: 1961-2014
1969
Debut Album With a Little Help from My Friends
Releases his debut studio album With a Little Help from My Friends.
Role range: 1961-2014
Woodstock Festival Performance
Performs a celebrated set at Woodstock, closing with With a Little Help from My Friends.
Role range: 1961-2014
Delta Lady UK Top Ten
Releases Delta Lady, which becomes a UK top-ten single.
Role range: 1961-2014
Second Album Joe Cocker!
Releases the studio album Joe Cocker!, strengthening his international reputation.
Role range: 1961-2014
With a Little Help From My Friends
Releases Album, "With a Little Help From My Friends"
1970
Fillmore East Concerts
Performs the first of two celebrated Mad Dogs and Englishmen concert nights at the Fillmore East.
Role range: 1961-2014
Mad Dogs and Englishmen Tour
Launches the large-scale Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour with an ensemble assembled by Leon Russell.
Role range: 1961-2014
Mad Dogs and Englishmen Live Album
Releases the live album Mad Dogs and Englishmen, documenting the large touring ensemble.
Role range: 1961-2014
The Letter United States Top Ten
Scores his first United States top-ten single with a cover of The Letter.
Role range: 1961-2014
Joe Cocker
Releases Album, "Joe Cocker"
1971
Mad Dogs and Englishmen
Releases Album, "Mad Dogs & Englishmen"
1972
Joe Cocker Studio Album
Releases the studio album Joe Cocker after a period away from recording.
Role range: 1961-2014
1974
I Can Stand a Little Rain Album
Releases I Can Stand a Little Rain, featuring the ballad You Are So Beautiful.
Role range: 1961-2014
1975
Jamaica Say You Will Album
Releases the studio album Jamaica Say You Will.
Role range: 1961-2014
You Are So Beautiful United States Hit
Takes You Are So Beautiful into the United States top ten and establishes it as one of his signature recordings.
Role range: 1961-2014
1976
Stingray Album
Releases the studio album Stingray.
Role range: 1961-2014
1978
Luxury You Can Afford Album
Releases the studio album Luxury You Can Afford.
Role range: 1961-2014
1982
Sheffield Steel Album
Releases Sheffield Steel, recorded with a rhythm section associated with Compass Point Studios.
Role range: 1961-2014
United States Number One with Up Where We Belong
Up Where We Belong reaches number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Role range: 1961-2014
Up Where We Belong
Records the duet Up Where We Belong with Jennifer Warnes for the film An Officer and a Gentleman.
Role range: 1961-2014
1983
Grammy Award for Up Where We Belong
Wins the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal with Jennifer Warnes.
Role range: 1961-2014
1984
Civilized Man Album
Releases the studio album Civilized Man.
Role range: 1961-2014
1986
Cocker Album
Releases the studio album Cocker.
Role range: 1961-2014
You Can Leave Your Hat On
Records a distinctive version of You Can Leave Your Hat On, later strongly associated with his live repertoire.
Role range: 1961-2014
1987
Unchain My Heart Album
Releases the studio album Unchain My Heart.
Role range: 1961-2014
1989
One Night of Sin Album
Releases the studio album One Night of Sin.
Role range: 1961-2014
1992
Night Calls Album
Night Calls enters the UK albums chart and becomes one of his stronger later British chart releases.
Role range: 1961-2014
1994
Have a Little Faith Album
Releases the studio album Have a Little Faith.
Role range: 1961-2014
1996
Organic Album
Releases Organic, revisiting earlier material with new arrangements alongside additional songs.
Role range: 1961-2014
2000
No Ordinary World Album
Releases the studio album No Ordinary World.
Role range: 1961-2014
2002
Respect Yourself Album
Releases the studio album Respect Yourself.
Role range: 1961-2014
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.