May 20, 1944: Joe Cocker was born.

Joe Cocker has quite possibly the most powerful voice I have ever heard in any musical genre. It is raspy, gravel-like and simply spectacular.

I was blessed to see Joe twice last week and, at 65, he still sounds fantabulous.

Contrary to popular opinion, Joe does not do covers of other artists’ songs. He delivers interpretations, breathing new life into the tunes and making them his own. Whether he’s singing selections penned by the Beatles, Leon Russell, The Lovin’ Spoonful or countless others, Joe Cocker is one of the greatest vocalists I have ever had the pleasure of seeing, and I’ve seen him a bunch.