Joe Cocker May 20, 1944 - December 22, 2014 : British Rocker, Soul Survivor, Diamond In The Rough
Who says white guy singers don’t have soul? Joe Cocker never got the memo. If only for one epic moment, at Woodstock in 1969, he crushed the notion. That afternoon, the man sang from a deep place way down in the most raw corner of his hypothalamus, the part of the brain’s limbic system that controls emotions. Most of us learn to filter what’s boiling down there or we’d be living in perpetual chaos. Performing artists are an exception.
Watch the video in this link. The first few minutes might be described as singing. From after the three minute mark, we’re way beyond that. This is raw incantation, prayer, and supplication. “I’ll Get By With A Little Help From My Friends” becomes an anthem for a generation, or at least for the half a million kids in the pastures of Max Yasgur’s farm rural in New York. To me, this is the ultimate expression of the Peace and Love summer of 1969.
We believed in ourselves. We didn’t trust anyone over the age of thirty. We were going to change the world and dammit it was cool if we took a break to have the biggest party of the twentieth century while we were at it.
Change and limitless possibility were in the air. We could smell it. Joe Cocker sang what we knew to be true – we were changing the world and if we stumbled we could count on getting by with the help of our friends.
Listen again. We, the children of the Age of Aquarius, are in our sixties and beyond. The world looks different. We look different. Joe Cocker just passed away at 70, the miraculous survivor of a life lived pushing the limits. His friends mourn him. So do I.
From here on out, we’re back where we started….and we’re going to need to get by with a little help from our friends.
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Paul
I mourn him too
Thank you for writing this
Another necessary and brilliant piece
Posted by: KBJ | December 24, 2014 at 01:58 PM
Nicely said pt.
Hope this Christmas and New Years brings you good health, happiness and finds you thriving !
Posted by: Ann Baker | December 24, 2014 at 02:13 PM
Hi Paul,
This is an inspiring message for the season. Merry Christmas!
Peace, Love, and Many Blessings,
Posted by: Kristen Eichleay | December 25, 2014 at 11:11 PM
sad about Joe Cocker, one of my favorites….
Posted by: Susan Lyman | December 25, 2014 at 11:13 PM
Very nice!
Posted by: Rebecca Wilson | December 27, 2014 at 12:09 PM
Paul, You captured the essence of Joe and reminded us Hippies of times gone by but never forgotten. He will live on in his music long after we are gone. R.I.P Joe...and thanks Paul for your moving tribute to Joe
Posted by: carole blossom | December 28, 2014 at 02:33 PM