Joe Cocker to receive OBE this week

The legendary Joe Cocker will be the recipient of an OBE on Thursday December 13th. On that day Joe will attend Buckingham Palace with his wife Pam, his brother Victor (himself a CBE) and his wife Jennifer.

Sheffield-born Cocker will subsequently be the proud recipient of another award, this time from his home city, on Saturday December 15th, when he is inducted into Sheffield’s Hall of Fame as a Sheffield Legend, hours before playing his first show for 13 years at Sheffield Arena.

The day after the Sheffield Arena homecoming show, Joe ends an incredible year by playing the 02 Arena in London on December 16.

Talking about the OBE, Joe said this week:

“I must confess I almost shed a tear upon hearing I was to be awarded an OBE for my contribution to music. Growing up in the North of post-war England, singing in pubs, such an honour seemed inconceivable. My elder brother Vic received a CBE for services to the water industry a few years back in 2000, and I’m told that having two medals in one family is quite a rarity”.

This year Joe released his storming return to form album “Hymn For My Soul” which, boosted by an incredible appearance on Parkinson, achieved his highest chart position for over ten years when the album went straight into the top 10.

In 2008 Joe will be touring New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, and will then go to America to tour around the US release of the album.

Joe Cocker plays:

December 15 – Sheffield Arena
December 16 – Indigo at the O2 Arena

Tickets for both shows available to book online at Seetickets.com or Ticketmaster.co.uk.