Singer Joe Cocker, 70, has Died from Lung Cancer

By Cheri Cheng - 23 Dec '14 10:53AM

British singer, Joe Cocker, known for his raspy voice, has passed away at the age of 70 from lung cancer. Cocker's agent, Barrie Marshall confirmed the news.

Cocker was known for his hits "You Are So Beautiful" and "Up Where We Belong," a duet he sang with Jennifer Warnes. "Up Where We Belong," which was from the movie, "An Officer and a Gentleman," was Cocker's biggest hit in the United States. The duet, which won Cocker a Grammy and Oscar, topped the Billboard singles chart in 1982.

He was also known for his rendition of the Beatles' "With a Little Help From My Friend," which he recorded with Jimmy Page, Steve Winwood and others in 1968. The song quickly became a No. 1 hit in England, which helped propel his career forward.

"Joe Cocker is a legendary artist of rock and blues history and yet he was one of the most humble men I've ever met," said Edgar Berger, who signed Joe Cocker to Sony Music Entertainment reported by FOX News. "His iconic voice will forever be etched in our memories and our thoughts go out to Joe's wife Pam and his family at this difficult time. Joe will live on in the hearts of millions of fans around the world."

"I was forever grateful for him for doing that," Beatles' Paul McCartney said according to CBS DFW. "I knew him through the years as a good mate, and I was so sad to hear that he had been ill and really sad to hear today that he had passed away."

Several people have expressed their condolences via Twitter:

Aside from his music, Cocker was also known for his spasmodic performances. The singer once commented on his movements in a 2012 interview with the Broward-palm Beach New Times.

He said, "I never played organ or piano or guitar, so it was more out of frustration and me just trying to impersonate in a way. I did it subconsciously. People mistook for me being ill, like I had palsy. I'm not nearly so demonstrative now, but I still have my own way of feeling the rhythm."

Cocker is survived by his wife, brother, step-daughter and two grandchildren.