Singer Joe Cocker, whose career spanned more than 50 years, died after a long battle with lung cancer.
Cocker, known for his hoarse voice, rose to fame with their cover of the song by the Beatles with a little help from my friends, who went to the 1 in 1968.
A resident of the United States from long ago, lived on a ranch in Colorado with his second wife, Pam. His death 70 years, was confirmed by Barrie Marshall, his agent for more than 30 years, who said Cocker was "without doubt the greatest rock/soul voice ever to come out of Britain - and remained the same man during his life." Immensely talented, a true star, but a friendly and humble man who loved to perform. "Anyone who has seen live you will never forget it."
Born in 1944, John Robert Cocker, grew up in Sheffield, the youngest son of a civil servant. His first foray into music was under the stage name Vance Arnold with his band Vance Arnold and the Avengers, covers mainly Chuck Berry and Ray Charles in pubs in Sheffield, but the band landed her big break in 1963 - supporting the Rolling Stones at Sheffield.
Cocker signed a record deal just a year later and arrived to be recorded more than 40 albums.
Sir Paul McCartney led tributes to the musician who had covered many songs by the Beatles in his long career and said that it was always grateful to Cocker into a soul song with a little help from my friends.
"It is very sad to hear about the death of Joe," he said. "It was a lovely boy from the North who loved very much and, like many people, I loved his singing. I met him through the years as a good friend and was very sad to see that he had been sick and very sad to hear today that he had died. He was a great guy, we miss a charming guy who brought much to the world and to all".
The sentiment was repeated by the drummer of the Beatles, Ringo Starr, who wrote: "goodbye and may God bless you to Joe Cocker one of his friends, peace and love." R."
In a testament to the wide influence of Cocker, other musicians of rock band British and singer Ronan Keating to rapper Lupe Fiasco the darkness also led to social media to pay their respects. Singer Bryan Adams said: "RIP my good friend, were one of the best rock singers ever".
Performance of Cocker's with a little help from my friends in the Woodstock of 1969 in New York festival is still considered by many as one of the great moments in the history of rock performance and was later described by him as "as an eclipse".
He released his second album, Joe Cocker!, in the same year, with covers of songs originally performed by artists such as Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. Paul McCartney and George Harrison, impressed with his talent, allowed him to cover two topics of the Beatles on the album.
In 1970, he embarked on a huge tour of America under the guise of his new band, rabid dogs and Englishmen, which included Leonard Russell pianist and singer Rita Coolidge. Despite performing together with musicians such as Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin and launching several successful songs covered, including his opinion about the letter of the Box Tops, which became his first hit top 10 in the United States, Cocker began to fight with the abuse of alcohol and drugs and returned to Sheffield in 1971.
Speaking years more later about his experiences on tour, Cocker, he said: "there was no rehabilitation in those days. Drugs were easily available, and he dived head first... It took me years to clarify. When I first became a success, it was a Sheffield beer drinker. Then I fell into the world of American rock."
After almost a decade of releasing several albums that received mostly only a lukewarm response, Cocker married Pam, his second wife, in 1978, which is attributed to helping him to escape from the downward spiral. Cocker organized a successful return in the Decade of 1980 which saw his Duet with Jennifer Warnes, Up Where We Belong, 1983 make him win a Grammy Award and a best original song Academy Award as the theme of the official movie and a gentleman. Cocker then was nominated for a Brit for best British male in 1993, and in 2007 received an OBE for his contribution to music.
He continued discs until 2012, when their final album, Fire It Up, was released, reaching number 17 in the British charts. Last year played a tour 20-date across Europe. His last concert was in Hammersmith in June this year.
Sony Music said in a statement: "John Robert Cocker, known to family, friends, his community and fans around the world as Joe Cocker, died on December 22, 2014, after a tough battle against small cell lung cancer... His international success as a blues/rock singer began in 1964 and continues to this day".
Rock composer and musician Peter Frampton says: "so sad knowing that passage of Joe Cocker. They are so beautiful is Joe both piano and Nicky Hopkins at his best. will now play RIP."
Singer-songwriter Frank Turner wrote: 'Wow. Sad to hear the death of Joe Cocker. Amazing singer." Pop Ronan Keating Irish star wrote: "so sad to hear Joe Cocker passing. What so bright and unique voice. Peace".
British comedian Ricky Gervais also paid tribute, saying: "Break the mighty Joe Cocker".
Cocker is survived by his wife, Pam, his step-daughter, Zoey Schroeder and two grandchildren, Eva and Simon Schroeder.
