We lost a legend when Joe Cocker passed away on 22 December. Cocker possessed one of the quintessential voices in rock and roll, a singer who quite literally took ownership of every song he sang.
Dave Mason wrote a wonderful piece about Cocker on his Facebook page:
When I wrote Feelin’ Alright, it had a question mark after it. It was an unrequited love song about not feeling too good myself. Denny Cordell, who was producing a new album with Joe Cocker, said “I have something I want you to hear.” He proceeded to play me the recording of Joe’s version of Feelin’ Alright. Wow. I was blown away. This song was no longer about not feeling too good myself. It WAS feelin’ alright! I owe a great debt of gratitude to Joe Cocker for cutting that song. Even though I wrote it and sang it with Traffic, it is the quintessential version that will live on long after his passing and mine. What a voice.
Here is the aforementioned song captured during Cocker’s classic 1970 Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour plus a more recent performance of “Darlin’ Be Home Soon,” one of my favorites.
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.