Joe Cocker remains one of the most criminally underrated musicians of the 20th century. Even though Cocker performed covers and made some poor professional choices, his talent and talent alone deserves respect. With songs such as “With A Little Help From My Friends” and “Up Where We Belong,” Cocker proves that he has one of the most unique voices of all time. One would think this trait would score him an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, it didn’t and one man in particular had an irate reaction—Billy Joel.
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Billy Joel gives credit to Cocker for helping him sign with Columbia Records. In short, the performance that seemingly got Joel signed to Columbia mainly included Joe Cocker’s songs. Hence, Joel has a strong affinity for Cocker both as a type of guardian angel and fellow musician. So, when Cocker was on his deathbed and had no sights on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame membership, Joel took it upon himself to hand deliver a note fighting for Cocker.
Billy Joel’s Letter & Tribute
The year Joe Cocker died, Billy Joel hand-delivered a note to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame advocating for Cocker’s induction. Despite the contents of the letter never being revealed, Joel’s delivery aimed to get Cocker the respect he so deserved. However, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ignored Joel’s letter and never inducted Cocker before he passed away in 2014.
Joel did not stop there to honor his fellow musician. Prior to Cocker’s death, Billy Joel played at Madison Square Garden in which he paid tribute to Cocker. During the show, Joel took a break from his set and said Joe Cocker is “a great singer who is not very well right now” and “I think he should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I’m amazed that he’s not yet, but I’m throwing in my vote for Joe Cocker.” Subsequently, he went on to perform Cocker’s cover of “With a Little Help From My Friends.”
To this day, Joe Cocker has never even received a nomination to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And it’s snubs such as these that cause the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to receive vast amounts of scrutiny. Nonetheless, Joel’s attempt to squeeze Cocker in at the last minute shows how Joel consistently tried to pay it forward and also, pay back the man who incidentally helped start his career.
Photo by Myrna M. Suarez/Getty Images
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