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Joe Cocker By David Browne Summary

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The Rolling Stone magazine exemplifies a candid tribute to Joe Cocker written by David Browne. Browne brings to life not only Cocker’s musical success from such a unique voice and fresh new dance moves, but also the very real and frightfully unforgiving battle with drug addiction. Browne first goes into detail about how truly gifted Cocker was as a legend in rock and roll and the blues music. He was certainly not a person that is easily forgotten, but that’s not without humble beginnings, of course. A pipe gas fitter with a struggling music career from Sheffield, England is the man known today as Joe Cocker, Browne describes. He then goes on to tell that Cocker released his first cover of a Beatles’ song in 1964 and dropped his first record in 1969. After playing at Woodstock Cocker was suddenly a star, getting paid more for gigs and never-ending tours ensued. All the new fame and Cocker’s reclusive attitude then made him turn to hard drugs to keep up with the stress …show more content…

Browne does not just describe Cocker’s success and the way he touched people’s lives, but also the harder parts of his life. The author produced an article that paid respects to the legend through quotes by Cocker’s friends and colleagues. Jerry Moss, head of Cocker’s label at one point in time, states that, “In those days, he couldn’t sing out of time. He was the greatest white blues singer.” The author also explained Cocker’s struggles through quotes from his colleagues. Rita Coolidge, a backup singer that toured with Cocker, expressly states, “Joe was not much of a social butterfly – he was very withdrawn, and it took a lot of drugs to be able to walk out and do it every night. It was amazing that he could remember lyrics and stay on his feet.” The author never explicitly states his feelings towards Joe Cocker, but it was by no means too critical or unfair, because everything stated about Cocker was through quotes from associates and

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