Beatles legend Paul McCartney has thrown his support behind inducting the late Joe Cocker into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, penning a heartfelt letter to the voting panel advocating for the blues-rock singer's inclusion.
In his February 25th letter, McCartney praised Cocker as "a great man and a fine singer whose unique style made for some fantastic performances." He specifically highlighted Cocker's innovative 1968 cover of The Beatles' "With a Little Help From My Friends," calling the Denny Cordell-produced version "very imaginative."
"All the people on the panel will be aware of the great contribution Joe made to the history of Rock and Roll," McCartney wrote. "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."
Cocker, who passed away in 2014 at age 70, is a first-time nominee for the Class of 2025, despite being eligible since 1994. He joins an impressive roster of nominees including Mariah Carey, Oasis, The White Stripes, Cyndi Lauper, and Soundgarden.
McCartney himself is no stranger to the Rock Hall, having been inducted twice - first as a member of The Beatles in 1988 and later as a solo artist in 1999. His endorsement carries particular weight given his successful advocacy for Foreigner's induction in 2024.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2025 will be announced in late April, with the induction ceremony scheduled to take place in Los Angeles this fall.