Singer Joe Cocker, known for his covers of "You Are So Beautiful" and the Beatles' "With a Little Help from My Friends," died today (December 22) at the age of 70.
Details are still developing, but the singer's agent, Barrie Marshall, confirmed with the BBC that Cocker had died of an undisclosed illness. He passed away at his home in Colorado. The Yorkshire Post reported that Cocker had been battling lung cancer.
UPDATE: A press release has confirmed that Cocker died of small cell lung cancer.
Tributing the gruff-voiced singer, Marshall noted that Cocker was "simply unique" and "it will be impossible to fill the space he leaves in our hearts."
Cocker's career dates back to the '60s, where the Sheffield-born vocalist sung in pubs around town before catching his big break. His cover of "With a Little Help from My Friends," a bluesier, organ-soaked version, was a No. 1 single in the UK in 1968. This lead to the release of his 1969 debut, also called With a Little Help from My Friends, which also featured his well-known cover of Traffic's "Feelin' Alright."
Other highlights through Cocker's over 40-year career include playing Woodstock, 1975 ballad "You Are So Beautiful," the Grammy- and Oscar-winning duet "Up Where We Belong" with Jennifer Warnes in 1982, and his 1986 Cocker single "You Can Leave Your Hat On." His last album was 2012's Fire It Up.
Details are still developing, but the singer's agent, Barrie Marshall, confirmed with the BBC that Cocker had died of an undisclosed illness. He passed away at his home in Colorado. The Yorkshire Post reported that Cocker had been battling lung cancer.
UPDATE: A press release has confirmed that Cocker died of small cell lung cancer.
Tributing the gruff-voiced singer, Marshall noted that Cocker was "simply unique" and "it will be impossible to fill the space he leaves in our hearts."
Cocker's career dates back to the '60s, where the Sheffield-born vocalist sung in pubs around town before catching his big break. His cover of "With a Little Help from My Friends," a bluesier, organ-soaked version, was a No. 1 single in the UK in 1968. This lead to the release of his 1969 debut, also called With a Little Help from My Friends, which also featured his well-known cover of Traffic's "Feelin' Alright."
Other highlights through Cocker's over 40-year career include playing Woodstock, 1975 ballad "You Are So Beautiful," the Grammy- and Oscar-winning duet "Up Where We Belong" with Jennifer Warnes in 1982, and his 1986 Cocker single "You Can Leave Your Hat On." His last album was 2012's Fire It Up.
