About Joe Cocker

There once was a fellow named Joe
Who reached a majestic plateau
In a music career
Spanning many a year
He was always a consummate pro
.
He was born in the land of Great Britain
Where many are openly smitten
With princes and queens
Who have cash in their jeans
And where drinking warm beer is befittin’
.
Vance Arnold is how he was known
When he started a band of his own
The Avengers were hot
People liked them a lot
Once they opened a show for The Stones
.
He embarked on a solo career
Playing clubs serving whisky and beer
He was singing the blues
And was paying his dues
On the path he was destined to steer
.
The Grease Band he later created
A group that became highly rated
When they started to play
In the U. S. of A.
But the travel was something he hated
.
With Mad Dogs and Englishmen Joe
Formed a band that earned plenty of dough
Leon Russell was part
Of the group from the start
Rita Coolidge was part of the show
.
With his singular voice and gyrations
Joe’s talent had no limitations
With success he was rife
He was bigger than life
And the darling of radio stations
.
Joe Cocker expired this day
But he’ll never out-welcome his stay
In our souls and our hearts
He is still on the charts
Like Jack Bruce and the late Marvin Gaye