Joe Cocker Has Died at Age 70

Grammy-winning singer Joe Cocker died  Monday, December 22, 2014 at age 70, his record label confirmed. Cocker, the British ’60s rocker most famous for his cover of the Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends” and songs such as “You Are So Beautiful,” was battling cancer. “It will be impossible to fill the space he leaves in our hearts,” Cocker’s agent, Barrie Marshall, told the BBC.

Though Cocker was legendary for his earlier music (“With a Little Help From My Friends,” which he famously performed at Woodstock, is best-known as “The Wonder Years” classic theme song) he had some success in his later years, too. He had a top-selling European tour along with his final album, “Fire It Up,” in 2012. He also won an Oscar in 1982 for the song “Up Where We Belong,” a duet with Jennifer Warnes on “An Officer and a Gentleman” soundtrack.

Born and raised in Sheffield, England, he toured all over the world and was exceptionally energetic in concert. From a Washington Post article about one of Cocker’s shows in May 1970: “With all due apologies to Ike and Tina Turner, Janis, et al, I have never seen a more exciting live rock show … I didn’t bother with a poll, but I’d be willing to wager that not too many of the other 1,500 blown minds at that concert would disagree with me,” wrote reviewer Alex Ward.

The news about Cocker’s declining health was kept under wraps until September, when Billy Joel performed a tribute for Cocker in concert and called him “a great singer who is not very well right now.” He also urged for Cocker to get a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Here’s Sony Music’s full statement:

John Robert Cocker, known to family, friends, his community and fans around the world as Joe Cocker, passed away on December 22, 2014 after a hard fought battle with small cell lung cancer. Mr. Cocker was 70 years old.
Joe Cocker was born 5/20/1944 in Sheffield, England where he lived until his early 20’s. In 2007 he was awarded the OBE by the Queen of England.
His international success as a blues/rock singer began in 1964 and continues till this day. Joe created nearly 40 albums and toured extensively around the globe.

The Recording Academy also weighed in with a statement:

Singer/songwriter Joe Cocker had one of the most distinctive, soulful voices in all of rock. Classics such “You Are So Beautiful,” his famous cover of the Beatles’ “With A Little Help From My Friends,” as well as his GRAMMY®-winning duet with Jennifer Warnes, “Up Where We Belong,” showcased his rich, compelling vocals as well as his undeniable talent. Known for his powerful delivery and dynamic stage presence, he toured extensively around the world, becoming an international superstar in the process. Our music community has lost a passionate and influential artist, and his legacy will continue to inspire and entertain generations to come. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and all who have been enriched by his remarkable work.

written by Emily Yahr, Washington Post

Treasure Island Oldies Year End Wrap-Up December 21st, 2014

December 21^st, 2014 to January 3^rd, 2015

Well my favourite show of this year is now here and available for your enjoyment now available on the Archive. Click Listen and then select the 18^th Annual Christmas Special from December 21, 2014. I enjoy bringing this special to you more and more every year. It was wonderful have so many friends in the Chat Room; the Nuts in the Hut bring an extra dimension to doing the Live show. Thanks for a great time together. And also big thanks to you for calling the Listener Line to record your Holiday Greetings.

Please note that as I do every year, I will taking next week off. Consequently, our regular features including the Rock and Roll News, Top 5 Countdown and Voice Your Choice will only return for the next show which will be the New Year Dance Party, Live Sunday, January 4, 2015.

It’s been another good year here at Treasure Island Oldies and we continued to grow our Broadcast Partners Network with new radio stations carrying the show across Canada and the United States, England, Scotland, Ireland, Sweden, Germany, New Zealand and China! And the Treasure Island Oldies Blog continues to be a source for folks wanting info about Oldies.

I’d like to make special mention of Eddy Fisher, my partner and webmaster. You wouldn’t believe all the “backstage” work he does every week to bring you the website updates and podcast of the Rock and Roll News and Top 5 Countdown. His creativity and enthusiasm is evident in the decorations all over the website. And the many comments I have received from you about this year’s decorations in particular are evidence you see and appreciate what he does for Treasure Island Oldies and for you.

The show also has great friends who are regular contributors and I’d like to thank Tom Locke, for the weekly Moment In Time; there’s always an interesting background story to the featured song. Rick Canode has a massive music collection and has been delivering Rick’s Rare Rock and Roll Relic for over 7 years now. Very cool. It’s also been fun hearing the encore presentation of Hits From Across The Pond with Fay Greenwood and very well produced by Matt Meaney. And finally, I’d like to thank Paul Carter Jr. who after more than four years, wrapped up the Music Link series. All these features and more make the show special, along with your requests and emails.

One more thing. I am very grateful to the financial supporters of the show with their monthly PayPal donation.  You know who you are. It is very much appreciated. Thank You.

Next year will be a milestone, the 18^th Anniversary of Treasure Island Oldies. And we’ll be celebrating with 18 specials throughout the year, as well as having a fun contest, in conjunction with my friends at TNJ Poster Creations. Click on the big 18 logo for details on how to enter the contest. Do it soon as the first winner will be announced on the New Year Dance Party on January 4, 2015.

I sincerely hope you have a wonderful holiday, celebrating with your friends and family. Please remember do NOT drink and drive.

Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Bye for now.

Michael

This Week on Treasure Island Oldies - Week of December 14th, 2014

December 14^th, 2014 to December 20^th 2013

It sure was another fun time again this week on the Island and the Chat Room was humming. It was so good to have Sunny from Illinois drop by for a visit. It had been a long time since she was able to come for a visit due to prolonged computer problems. Great to see you Sunny! And it was also nice to have so many other in the chat room as well. Next week I invite you to come by for some Christmas cheer as it will be the 18^th Annual Treasure Island Oldies Christmas Special. This has become my favourite show over the years to bring to you and from the response I receive, it is also the most popular show of the year. The Christmas Special will begin next Sunday, December 21^st at 6 pm Pacific, 1 am Universal and I look forward to keeping you company as you get things done in time for Christmas.

Happy Birthday to Alain, husband of listener Guylaine Côté in Quebec City, and to my friend and colleague Isaac Shane in San Diego, California. If your birthday is approaching, be sure to let me know. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com and I’ll wish you happy birthday on the show and also play Birthday by The Beatles.

2015 marks the 18^th Anniversary of Treasure Island Oldies and we are celebrating with a contest where there will be a different winner every month throughout the year. For full details and to enter the contest, click the 18 Celebrate logo on any page of the website. The monthly prize will be the poster of your choice from TNJ Poster Creations, so be sure to click on the Celebrate 18 logo for complete details. The first winner will be announced on the New Year Dance Party on Sunday, January 4, 2015. Enter now and good luck!

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing what has become a Christmas novelty classic. It’s Santa’s Stuck Up In The Chimney by Paul Evans. Since he released the song and video 7 years ago, it has generated over 1.6 Million views on You Tube. Let’s add to the total for our Song of the Week.

Voice Your Choice will be taking a break next week as it’s the Christmas Special but the feature returns on the first show of 2015 with The Beatles. Cast you vote for either I Want To Hold Your Hand or I Saw Her Standing There. The winning song on the New Year Dance Party, Sunday, January 4^th, 2015.

Here’s the Rock and Roll News for the week of December 14^th

Listen to the Top 5 Countdown from 1968

Finally, be sure to make a note to listen to the 18^th Annual Christmas Special next week Live Sunday, December 21^st and all throughout the holidays on the Archive.

Have a great week and remember don’t drink and drive.

Bye for now.

Michael

The Beatles - Voice Your Choice

The Fab Four kick off another year of Voice Your Choice on the first show of 2015. Who better than The Beatles!

Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either I Want To Hold Your Hand or I Saw Her Standing There. I'll play the winning song in the 3rd hour of the first of the year, the New Year Dance Party on Sunday, January 4, 2014.

Paul Evans - Santa's Stuck Up In The Chimney - Song of the Week

Paul Evans wrote and recorded many hit songs for himself including Seven Little Girls Sitting In The Back Seat, Happy Go Lucky Me, Midnight Special and more. He also wrote what became major hits for others: The Kalin Twins, When; Elvis Presley, I Gotta Know, and Roses Are Red (My Love) for Bobby Vinton.

Seven years ago he wrote and recorded another song which since that time has become a recent Christmas novelty classic. Here's the wonderful animation of Santa's Stuck Up In The Chimney by Paul Evans. It's our Song of the Week.

Enjoy!

Michael

This Week on Treasure Island Oldies - Week of December 7th, 2014

December 7^th, 2014 to December 13^th, 2014

I thoroughly enjoyed playing a lot more Christmas songs on this week’s show and was glad to come up with some Christmas Lost Treasures including White Christmas by Jackie Wilson, Jack Scott’s There’s Trouble Brewing, reaching way back to 1946 for the Andrews Sisters with Christmas Island, and many more. I also played Let’s Light The Christmas Tree by Ruby Wright from 1967. I then received an email from loyal listener California Barb. She mentioned that she used to watch Ruby Wright when she was a cast member on a TV show that came out of Cincinnati, Ohio, called The Ruth Lions 50-50 Club. She thought it was so nice to hear that song again, as she  used to have the record. I so enjoy hearing from you with your thoughts and memories that get brought back to you when you hear a song on the show. I’d love to hear from you too. Write to me at michael@treasureislandoldies.com.

Once again this week our Webmaster, Eddy Fisher, has been adding to our Christmas decorations on the website and boy do they look great. Thanks very much, Eddy. And folks in the Chat Room have also been commenting on how much they like his creative handiwork.

Next week on the show it’s an all-Christmas show with more Christmas Lost Treasures for you to enjoy. The in two weeks it’s my Annual Christmas Special, Live Sunday, December 21^st and on the Archive throughout the holidays.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to my friend who loves listening to the show, Aron Gutman in Richmond, British Columbia. If your birthday is coming up soon, let me know the details by sending an email to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com. I’ll wish you Happy Birthday on the show and also play Birthday by The Beatles for you.

 The first winner of our 18^th Anniversary Contest will be announced on the first show of 2015, the New Year Dance Party on Sunday, January 4^th. You can enter the contest NOW. For full details and how to be eligible to win the poster of your choice from TNJPoster Creations, click on the 18 Celebrate logo  on just about every page of the website. Just so you know, there is No Purchase Necessary to be eligible to enter or win.

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing the Royal Guardsmen and Snoopy’s Christmas. It’s our Song of the Week. Enjoy!

Next week  is the final Voice Your Choice for this year. And what a great to end off this feature for 2014 with the great Darlene Love. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either White Christmas or Winter Wonderland. I’ll play the winner on next week’s show.

Here’s the Rock and Roll News for the week of December 7^th

Listen to the Top 5 Countdown from 1964

Remember next week’s it’s all Christmas songs on the Island. See you next Sunday for the Live show.

Bye for now.

Michael