Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Joe Cocker | ... | Self (archive footage) | |
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Phil Crookes | ... | Self |
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Vic Cocker | ... | Self |
Ray Charles | ... | Self (archive footage) | |
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Chris Stainton | ... | Self |
Glyn Johns | ... | Self | |
Billy Joel | ... | Self | |
Jerry Moss | ... | Self | |
Michael Lang | ... | Self | |
Ben Fong Torres | ... | Self | |
Jimmy Webb | ... | Self | |
Rita Coolidge | ... | Self | |
Leon Russell | ... | Self (archive footage) | |
Randy Newman | ... | Self | |
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Deric Dyer | ... | Self |
The turbulent life of soul and blues singer, the late Joe Cocker. A former gas fitter from Sheffield , catapulted to world stardom in 1969 at Woodstock with his legendary performance of the Beatles song,"A Little Help from My Friends". But in the early 1970s, Joe Cocker's inner demons nearly killed him. Overcoming his struggles with alcohol and drugs, he rebuilt his reputation as "one of the great primal rock and roll vocalists of all time" (Billy Joel's description). The film mixes Joe Cocker's own words, with rare archive. His family, friends and the legendary songwriters and musicians he collaborated with, tell Joe Cocker's story. The film has raw, electric performance footage throughout. Written by John Edginton
This documentary kept me captivated and wanting to delve deep into Joe Cocker's discography. But I couldn't help think it focused far too much on Joe's struggles with alcohol and drugs - even for a documentary of this type, it was overloaded.
Joe Cocker had one of the greatest rock voices of all-time - yet not enough about Joe's incredible musicianship is featured here. Woodstock and the 'Mad Dog' phase of his career is highlighted, but after that many career and life phases are quickly glossed over in favour of random people complaining about his alcoholism and its impact on performances.
Almost every musician has had these substance abuse issues. They're the same over and over. But there has only ever been one Joe Cocker, and his incredible uniqueness should've been a much stronger focus of this documentary! In saying that, I still enjoyed this, despite coming away not really learning a lot about who Joe was as a person.
Rest in peace, mate. You were one of a kind.