The estate of singer Joe Cocker has reached an agreement with Irving Azoff’s Iconic Artists Group.
According to a press release, the deal will see Iconic “acquire, develop and extend Cocker’s rich musical heritage to new generations”.
Variety reports that the deal includes the legendary singer’s “music intellectual property assets, including his interest in his sound recordings, compositions, as well as his name, image and likeness”.
The deal follows Iconic’s recent acquisitions of interests in the catalogs of Dean Martin, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Nat King Cole and Linda Ronstadt.
Iconic launched in January 2020 with the acquisition of a majority stake in the legendary Beach Boys catalog.
In a musical career that spanned more than 50 years, Cocker was best known for his rendition of the original Beatles. With a little help from my friends.
The single reached No. 1 in the UK and became a staple of his many live shows, including Woodstock and the Isle of Wight in 1969 and The Palace Party in 2002. It was also known as the theme song to the late 1980s. American television series The Wonder Years.
Cocker reinvents in 1974 that of Billy Preston You are so Beautiful in His Own Style reached No. 5 in the US and became another of his signature songs.
Cocker’s best-selling track was US No. 1 where we belong, a duet with Jennifer Warnes for the Grammy Award-winning film An Officer And A Gentleman in 1983. He released a total of 22 studio albums during his 43-year recording career.
In 1993 Cocker was nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Male. He received a Sheffield Legends bronze plaque in his hometown in 2007 and was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) the following year for his services to music. Cocker is one of the 100 greatest singers of all time according to Rolling Stone.
“Joe’s life was in his voice.”
Pam Cocker
Pam Cocker said: “Joe’s life was in his voice. There are so many great performances in his musical legacy, and we’re thrilled that the team at Iconic shares our ambition that, through their skills, his group of “friends” will continue to grow through listening, discovery and rediscovery.
“We are honored to work with Joe’s family and to be stewards of his powerful work.”
Jimmy Edwards
Jimmy Edwards, President of Iconic, added, “Joe Cocker is an unparalleled performer of song, and there is no doubt that he is unique and distinct, straight from the heart.
“We are honored to work with Joe’s family and to be stewards of his powerful work.”
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