Joe Cocker Biography

Joe Cocker is born in Sheffield, Yorkshire.

Begins performing under the stage name Vance Arnold with the Avengers in Sheffield.

Performs with Vance Arnold and the Avengers as a support act for the Rolling Stones at Sheffield City Hall.

Releases a cover of the Beatles song I'll Cry Instead as his debut solo single.

Signs a solo recording contract with Decca Records.

Returns to performing and develops the Grease Band with fellow Sheffield musician Chris Stainton.

Releases Marjorine, which becomes his first entry on the UK singles chart and peaks at number 48.

Releases his radical arrangement of the Beatles song With a Little Help from My Friends.

With a Little Help from My Friends reaches number one on the UK singles chart.

Releases Album, "With a Little Help From My Friends"

Releases his debut studio album With a Little Help from My Friends.

Performs a celebrated set at Woodstock, closing with With a Little Help from My Friends.

Releases Delta Lady, which becomes a UK top-ten single.

Releases the studio album Joe Cocker!, strengthening his international reputation.

Releases Album, "Joe Cocker"

Scores his first United States top-ten single with a cover of The Letter.

Launches the large-scale Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour with an ensemble assembled by Leon Russell.

Performs the first of two celebrated Mad Dogs and Englishmen concert nights at the Fillmore East.

Releases the live album Mad Dogs and Englishmen, documenting the large touring ensemble.

Releases Album, "Mad Dogs & Englishmen"

Releases the studio album Joe Cocker after a period away from recording.

Releases I Can Stand a Little Rain, featuring the ballad You Are So Beautiful.

Releases the studio album Jamaica Say You Will.

Takes You Are So Beautiful into the United States top ten and establishes it as one of his signature recordings.

Releases the studio album Stingray.

Releases the studio album Luxury You Can Afford.

Releases Sheffield Steel, recorded with a rhythm section associated with Compass Point Studios.

Up Where We Belong reaches number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Records the duet Up Where We Belong with Jennifer Warnes for the film An Officer and a Gentleman.

Wins the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal with Jennifer Warnes.

Releases the studio album Civilized Man.

Releases the studio album Cocker.

Records a distinctive version of You Can Leave Your Hat On, later strongly associated with his live repertoire.

Releases the studio album Unchain My Heart.

Releases the studio album One Night of Sin.

Night Calls enters the UK albums chart and becomes one of his stronger later British chart releases.

Releases the studio album Have a Little Faith.

Releases Organic, revisiting earlier material with new arrangements alongside additional songs.

Releases the studio album No Ordinary World.

Releases the studio album Respect Yourself.

Receives an OBE for services to music.

Releases Fire It Up, his final studio album.

Dies in Crawford, Colorado, aged seventy.