Joe Cocker: The Authorised Biography (Hardcover)

~ J. P. Bean (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The first and only fully authorized biography of the innovative white blues singer with a fine soul voice. The book traces Cocker's life from early success in the UK to the pivotal Mad Dogs & Englishmen US tour, the hell raising that followed and his continuing renaissance in recent years. Few rock biographies are as open, revealing and honest as this one.

About the Author

JP Bean lives in Sheffield, Joe Cocker's home town and has interviewed Joe Cocker in Britain, Europe and the USA. He has previously published 'The Sheffield Gang Wars' which has been in continuous print for twenty-one years, "Over The Wall - The Master Jailbreakers" and most recently "Bendigo, The Bare Knuckle Champion Of England" which The Sunday Times said was a 'must-read'.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Virgin Books; illustrated edition edition (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1852270438
• ISBN-13: 978-1852270438
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,608,289 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is Feeling Alright!, September 14, 2003

By	Anthony Accordino (Massapequa Park, New York United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

Author J.P Bean is the only person to ever write a career retrospective on the life of british rock legend Joe Cocker. Originally published in 1990 under the title of "With A Little Help From My Friends", this updated edition adds four extra chapters, different photo's, and an updated discography. His life is traced from his humble beginnings in sheffield England, and his rise to fame in the late 60's and early 70's, all the way through is dark days of the late 70's, and his return to popularity in the following decades. Simply put, the book reads like an episode of VH-1 Behind the Music. Some of the more interesting topics you will find of interest, is all the turmoil surrounding the "Maddogs And Englishmen" tour of 1970 and of course his long addiction to drugs and alcohol that nearly killed him. Did you know that there was a second verse to "You Are So Beautiful"? Joe was too intoxicated in the recording studio to do the second verse. The producer thought Joe singing the same verse twice was good enough to release. he proved to be right, as the song became a huge hit. After Joe met his wife Pam, his life began to straighten out, both personally and professionally. With help from Michael Lang[Woodstock producer], he slowly built up a once lost career, and through hard work and constant touring he was back playing 15-20 thousand seat venues in the early nineties. Joe cocker has proven that he is indeed a rock n roll survivor, and he continues to record and tour at the age of 60. The same cannot be said about many of his 1960's contemporaries. He still maintains that magic growl and stage presence that is unlike any-other. If you are a Joe Cocker Fan, this book is essential reading.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joe Cocker - A True Blue Survivor, September 8, 2003

By	Ellis E. Kell, Jr. (USA) - See all my reviews

Cocker fans old and new, this is one you won't be able to put
down. J. P. Bean's up to date biography of the legendary Joe Cocker must rank as one of the finest and most vital rock chronicles ever written. From the first pages on, the reader feels as if they are walking right along side the singer and his mates during the early days in Sheffield, England, and travelling on down the road through his rise to fame in the pubs and clubs of Europe. We're then swept off (via imaginary helicopter) through the rock and roll dreamscape of Woodstock, and into the madness of the Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour that would leave the artist completely disenchanted and
disenfranchised with the music business. Beyond the abuses, through good times and bad, Joe Cocker emerges as one of the most enduring figures in rock and roll history. This biography does as much or more visually than any film documentary ever could, in delivering a comprehensive and inspired story of one of music's most passionate and powerful voices. Joe Cocker is a true blue survivor, and J. P. Bean's telling of his story is essential rock history!