Yahoo Lifestyle Paul McCartney Lobbies for Artist That 'Deserves to Be' in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Paul McCartney is trying to give one of his old friends a little help to get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year.
He’s circulating a letter to voters for the Rock Hall to consider voting for the late Joe Cocker for induction. Cocker famously covered the Beatles song “With a Little Help From My Friends.”
In the letter printed on McCartney’s personal stationary, dated Feb. 25, and addressed to “Dear Rock and Rollers,” McCartney writes, “I would like to suggest Mr. Joe Cocker for entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“Joe was a great man and a fine singer whose unique style made for some fantastic performances,” he adds. “He sang one of our songs ‘With a Little Help From My Friends,’ a version produced by Denny Cordell which was very imaginative.
“All the people on the panel will be aware of the great contribution Joe made to the history of Rock and Roll. And whilst he may not have ever lobbied to be in the Hall of Fame, I know he would be extremely happy and grateful to find himself where he deserves to be amongst such illustrious company,” McCartney adds before signing off with “Thank you and all the best.”
As McCartney implied, “With a Little Help From My Friends” was written by him and John Lennon, and sung by Beatles drummer Ringo Starr as the fictional character Billy Shears when it appeared on the group’s 1967 album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
The Beatles didn’t release the song as a single until 1978, long after they disbanded, but Cocker covered the song a year after its initial release and scored a No. 1 hit in the U.K. with his version in 1968. He also famously performed the song that year at Woodstock. Two decades later, it served as the theme song for the TV series The Wonder Years.
McCartney was involved in a similar campaign for the rock band Foreigner last year, which proved successful.
This year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony is set to be in Los Angeles in the fall, but a specific date has yet to be announced.
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