(There are no alternatives for him or the beer).
Very many years ago me and my mate Dave use to follow a local group around the pubs of Sheffield. They were originally called Vance Arnold and the Avengers, but later became Joe Cocker and the Grease Band.
Dave went to school with the then drummer Tommy and Dave's cousin went to school with Joe.
We just loved his music and the Sheffield Bitters at the pubs where he played, as did Joe and he downed a lot of it during each performance.
I will never forget the one night I saw him sing "Georgia on my mind" stone cold sober, when Pete Stringfellow had him as a cover band for a Liverpool group who got stuck in the snow over Woodhead. He sang Georgia and the whole club just stood in silence in total admiration, you could have heard the proverbial pint glass drop!!!
He was the greatest ever white blues singer and I will never forget him.
Lift a pint glass with me in his memory ................ Cheers Joe and many thanks.
