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The estate of legendary British singer Joe Cocker signs a wide-ranging development deal with Iconic Artists, including the singer’s musical intellectual property rights and more.
Irving Azoff’s Iconic Artists Group signed one agreement with the estate of Joe Cocker to acquire and develop the singer’s catalog spanning five decades. The acquisition includes the singer’s musical intellectual property, including his interest in his sound recordings and compositions, as well as his name, likeness and likeness.
Although Joe Cocker began working as a singer in the early 1960s, it wasn’t until 1969 that he broke into the mainstream with his cover of the Beatles song “With a Little Help From My Friends.” The track topped the UK charts and garnered a significant following in the US following its electrifying performance on Woodstock and the film that followed.
With a distinctive, powerful “soul blues” voice and stage presence, Cocker’s popularity grew with his Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour, subsequent live album and film featuring an all-star band led by Leon Russell.
His 1974 version of Billy Preston’s “You Are So Beautiful” reached No. 5 in the US, while his duet with Jennifer Warnes, “Up Where We Belong” charted in the US. #1 and Grammy winner a few years later.
Joe Cocker released 22 studio albums and was awarded a bronze Sheffield Legends plaque in his hometown in 2007. The following year he received the distinction of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
“I had been contemplating this move for some time. It is a great responsibility to manage such a wonderful legacy,” says Pam Cocker, owner of the property. “Because I wanted what was best for it, I felt, along with the heirs of the estate, that now was the right time to give this role to Iconic.”
“We are excited to have the opportunity to tell the story of Joe’s brilliant career as an artist,” added Iconic President Jimmy Edwards. “Our initial focus will be on Joe’s rise as the pre-eminent songwriter in the late ’60s and early ’70s when he electrified the world with the Grease Band Mad Dogs & Englishman. Through social channels and original content, we want to celebrate not only Joe’s amazing voice but also a golden era of rock music culture.”
This deal follows Iconic’s recent acquisition of shares in the David Crosby, Dean Martin, Linda Ronstadt, Nat King Cole and Stephen Stills catalogues. The company launched in January 2020 by acquiring a majority stake in the iconic Beach Boys catalogue.