BREAKING – Joe Cocker Dead at 70

Joe Cocker has died at the age of 70 after a battle with lung cancer. He is survived by his wife, Pam his brother Victor, a step-daughter Zoey and two grandchildren Simon, and Eva.

Sony Music released this statement to Itv.com,

John Robert Cocker, known to family, friends, his community and fans around the world as Joe Cocker, passed away on Dec. 22, 2014 after a hard fought battle with small cell lung cancer. Mr. Cocker was 70 years old.

Joe Cocker was born 5/20/1944 in Sheffield, England where he lived until his early 20’s. In 2007, he was awarded the OBE by the Queen of England.

His international success as a blues/rock singer began in 1964 and continues till this day. Joe created nearly 40 albums and toured extensively around the globe.

Born on May 20, 1944 in Sheffield, England, John Robert Carpenter began performing in local pubs and bars in his 20's and really gained popularity with his cover of the Beatles' "With a Little Help from My Friends". Known for his gritty, soulful voice and spastic stage presence, some of his more popular songs are "You are So Beautiful" and "Unchain My Heart", but 1983 Cocker won a Grammy and an Academy Award for "Up Where We Belong" a duet with Jennifer Warnes for the film "An Officer and a Gentleman".