Continuing the lovefest that is Joe Cocker’s birthday, I just had to share this video of Joe performing The Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Summer in the City.”
This has always been one of my favorite interpretations that Joe delivers, and it has been a staple in his live shows for years.
As I continue to celebrate Joe Cocker’s birthday, here is doing my favorite Jimmy Cliff tune, “Many Rivers to Cross.”
“It’s all a matter of hearing what I like and seeing if I can make it fit into my style.”-Joe Cocker
And you do it as well as anyone ever has, Joe!
Happy Birthday!
I love birthday boy Joe Cocker! As far as I’m concerned he has one of the most powerful and grooviest voices ever.
Here’s Joe’s version of Dave Mason’s phantabulous tune, “Feelin’ Alright,” Here he is performing it long ago on the Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour.
Happy Rock and Roll Birthday to the one and only Joe Cocker.
Joe has quite possibly the most powerful voice I have ever heard in any musical genre. It is raspy, gravel-like and simply spectacular.
I’ve seen Joe several times in the past few years and he still sounds phantabulous.
Contrary to popular opinion, Joe does not do covers of other artists’ songs. He delivers interpretations, breathing new life into the tunes and making them his own. Whether he’s singing selections penned by the Beatles, Leon Russell, The Lovin’ Spoonful or countless others, Joe Cocker is one of the greatest vocalists I have ever had the pleasure of seeing.
“I have terrible hearing trouble. I have unwittingly helped to invent and refine a type of music that makes its principal proponents deaf.”-Pete Townshend
My mom always told me I’d go deaf listening to all that loud shit. Ironically, it’s also her birthday today. Happy birthday, Mom!
And happy birthday, Pete!
As we celebrate the great Pete Townshend’s birthday, here he is performing a killer version of “Slit Skirts.”
I’ve been saving this video for some reason and, since I can’t remember what that reason is, here’s a groovy version of birthday boy Peter Townshend playing “Let My Love Open the Door.”
Happy Rock & Roll birthday to the splendiferous Pete Townshend!
A true rock & roll legend, Pete is a founding member of The Who, perhaps the greatest live band ever. He is an extraordinary songwriter and composer, as well as one of rock’s most underrated vocalists.
Pete wrote most of the material recorded by The Who, including two brilliant rock operas, Tommy and Quadrophenia.
Additionally, he has had an amazing solo career. I’ve always thought the Desert Island Disc Rough Mix, Pete’s spectacular album with Ronnie Lane, is one of the finest recordings ever made.
“You can’t base your life on other people’s expectations.”-Stevie Wonder
I wholeheartedly concur, Stevie. Trying to live up to someone else’s expectations is a recipe for disaster, as well as a huge waste of time. Life is way too short to worry about what anyone else thinks.
Happy Birthday, Stevie!
