RIP: Joe Cocker Succumbs to Lung Cancer at Age 70

Joe Cocker, known world-wide for his cover of The Beatles’ song “With A Little Help From My Friends” and Billy Preston’s “You Are So Beautiful”, has died at the age of 70. The cause of death, according to a statement released by Sony Music, was small cell lung cancer. Marshall Arts, which represented Cocker for more than 30 years, said on their website that they “are truly saddened to learn today of the passing of a true British legend. Joe was simply unique. He was without doubt the greatest rock-soul singer to come out of Britain…. Anyone who ever saw him live will never forget him….”

Cocker’s 1968 version of “With a Little Help from My Friends” hit No. 1 in the UK. He performed the song live at Woodstock in 1969. Cocker became familiar to another generation when his version became the theme song for “The Wonder Years” TV series (1988-93).

His 1975 cover of Billy Preston’s “You Are So Beautiful”, hit No. 5 in the USA.

Eight years later, Cocker would hit No. 1 again in the USA with “Up Where We Belong”, a duet with Jennifer Warnes that won each of them a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. Cocker received an OBE at Buckingham Palace for services to music in 2008. He was ranked No. 97 by Rolling Stone on their list of 100 greatest singers.

In 2010, Cocker was a guest performer on American Idol Season 9, when Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze (the Top 2 idols) got to share the stage with him for a performance of “A Little Help from My Friends” during the season finale.