Getting There

Joe was support to The Rolling Stones at Sheffield City Hall in 1963, where he was a great success. In 1964, he left his job with the Gas Board and became a full time musician.

It was also in 1964 when his band, now known as Joe Cocker Big Blues recorded a cover version of The Beatles' song "I'll Cry Instead". Joe Cocker Big Blues had a tremendous local following and they decided to spread their wings touring American airbases on the continent.

The Americans loved him but Joe returned to England only to discover the local club scene was in the doldrums and Joe Cocker Big Blues folded and Joe didn't gig for a year. Then he teamed up with Chris Stainton

Fame!

Joe came to the attention of Denny Cordell, producer of The Moody Blues and his first record with Cordell was a song dedicated to his mother "Marjorine"

This was a minor hit, spending one week in the charts at number 48 but the song which was to propel him to international fame came a few months later when he recorded a very different version of The Beatles' "With A Little Help From My Friends".

This stayed in the charts for 13 weeks and reached number 1 in October 1968. Joe never seemed to be off "Top of The Pops" at this time. Who could forget the demented, windmilling figure screaming out the lyrics of this song, or the excellent backing vocals of Sue and Sunny (later to be seen with James Last!) At last, Joe had arrived; not slowly or gently but with a great big BANG

Woodstock & All That!

1969 was to be Joe's year: he appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, appeared at Woodstock in the summer and released "Delta Lady" (a Leon Russell composition) which charted in the UK at number 10, earned him a silver disc and was to remain in the charts for 11 weeks. It looked like things could only get better for the former gas fitter from Sheffield; what could possibly go wrong?

More next week about Joes Mad- Dog Tour

Made in Sheffield Dot com would like to thank Eddie Platts for his contribution to the website - cheers!