All About Joe Cocker Trivia Quiz

Answer: Gas fitter

John Robert Cocker was born on May 20, 1944 in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. His father Harold was a civil servant worker and his mother, Marjorie was a waitress for a local cafe in Sheffield. When Joe was a small boy he attended school, but never really gave it his all, as he felt deep inside that he had a greater calling.

When he quit school at sixteen, Joe went to work as a gas fitter and Majorie thought that was what her son wanted to do with the rest of his life. She even went out and bought him books on the subject. Gas fitting held his interest for a limited time, but there was always music to fill his mind, and music was what he wanted to do.

Answer: "I don't want a job where after years and years all I get presented with is a gold watch. I want something more, something lasting."

In the September 24, 1971 issue of Time Magazine, Marjorie was interviewed as part of a series entitled "Rock Family Affair." When questioned about Joe's childhood, she told the interviewer about the day her youngest son came to his parents and told them that he did not want to be a gas fitter.

Majorie said she was a bit shocked yes, as she worried about the drugs that some rock stars used, but when Joe gave his explanation of "I don't want a job where after years and years all I get presented with is a gold watch. I want something more, something lasting." Well, she knew that she was in no position to disagree with him.

Answer: False

In 1961, Joe formed a band called the Cavaliers and six months later they changed their name to Vance Arnold And The Avengers, which did nothing to keep the following that the Cavaliers had already acquired.

With the name change, came major changes in the music and Joe was not to happy with the band at that point.

Answer: False

Joe was performing with Vance Arnold And The Avengers in 1962 when he was spotted by a Decca Records agent and was signed to a one song contract to record the Beatles "I'll Cry Instead." The song did not do well and he was dropped.

Not being one to give up easy, Joe formed the first Grease Band in 1966, which consisted of Vernon Nash (piano), Dave Memmott (drums), Frank Myles (guitar) and his future musical partner Chris Stainton (bass).

Answer: No

Since his single hit with "I'll Cry Instead" was a semi-hit, Joe knew that he had something that was worthwhile, so he formed the Grease Band in 1966. However, after performing in pubs and clubs for about two years, Joe was spotted again, but this time the talent agent only wanted Joe and Chris Stainton.

In 1967, Stainton and Joe recorded the single "Marjorie," which unfortunately for the talented duo was not a huge success as intended. Since the original Grease band had been disassembled, they decided to form a new Grease band which consisted of Gee (guitar), Tommy Reilly (drums) and Tommy Eyre (keyboards).

The new band was successful and once again a talent agent came knocking, and offered Stainton and Joe a deal to record John Lennon and Paul McCartney's "With A Little Help From My Friends." The song reached the number one spot on the UK music charts in 1968.

Answer: 1970

In May of 1970, Joe broke onto the US Billboard charts in the number seven position with "The Letter," which was written by Wayne Carson Thompson. Joe had finally arrived in the US and it wouldn't be until "Up Where We Belong," his 1982 duet with Jennifer Warnes which was recorded for the box office hit "An Officer and A Gentleman" that Joe was really on top in the US; although he did hold the number one position on US Music Billboard Charts in 1975 for "You are So Beautiful."

Answer: "Delta Lady"

In 1969, Joe recorded the song "Delta Lady," which had previously been recorded by Pat Travers, Rick Wakeman, James Burton, David Cassidy and Leon Russell.

Answer: John Haitt

In 1987, John Haitt wrote the song "Have a Little Faith in Me." Three artists have recorded this song Joe Cocker in 1987, Peter in 2003 and Jewel in 2003.

Answer: "No Mercy"

Joe never recorded a song for the Richard Gere movie "No Mercy." He did however record songs for "9 1/2 Weeks," "Bull Durham," "Harry and The Hendersons," and "An Innocent Man."

Answer: False

Bob Dylan originally wrote the music and lyrics for "Just Like a Woman." Joe recorded the song in 1989.