JOE COCKER is a rock music legend. A gas fitter who went from playing Sheffield pubs to the stadiums of the world, he was the man who no one — not even himself — expected to survive to the age of thirty. Now, approaching his sixtieth birthday and having recovered his life and career, he has cooperated with this full and frank biography to tell of all the highs and lows of his remarkable journey. Even by the crazy standards of rock'n'roll it is an amazing story. Since his mind-blowing interpretation of the Beatles' 'With A Little Help From My Friends' topped the British charts in 1968, JOE COCKER has had hits in every decade — and in more countries that he can remember. His appearance in the movie of Woodstock in 1969 catapulted him to worldwide fame and his Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour of America almost killed him. JOE COCKER has talked to biographer J.P. BEAN with an honesty rare in rock stars — about his heroin addiction, alcoholism, the arrests that got him thrown in jail, the demons that haunted him for years. But most of all this is an uplifting story of an ordinary man who lit up America like a beacon in the night, was written off as a shambolic wreck and then — against all the odds — climbed back to become an even bigger star than he was first time around. Today, JOE COCKER lives on a Colorado ranch with his wife, who played a pivotal role in his recovery. His world tours take in as many as thirty countries and his hits like 'With A Little Help', 'Delta Lady' and 'Up Where We Belong' remain firm favourites on the airwaves. His hometown university awarded him the title Doctor Cocker and in 2002 he was widely acclaimed for his powerful performance at the Queen's Golden Jubilee concert. He has evolved from being a wild man to a statesman of rock'n'roll. In researching this book, J.P. BEAN has conducted interviews with Joe and many of his friends, family, musicians, managers and fans — to tell Joe's story in dramatic, humorous and captivating detail.