Paul McCartney pens letter campaigning for Joe Cocker’s Rock Hall induction: “He deserves to be amongst such illustrious company”
Paul McCartney has written a letter in support of Joe Cocker’s nomination to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for 2025, suggesting that he deserves to be honoured at the ceremony.
Cocker, who passed away in 2014, is one of two posthumously shortlisted nominees alongside Chubby Checker and features alongside many other notable acts who are widely tipped to be inducted, with the likes of Oasis, Joy Division/New Order, Outkast, The White Stripes and Mariah Carey among the nominees.
McCartney, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame twice in his career – as a member of the Beatles in 1988 and for his solo career in 1999 – has now made a supportive statement on why he believes the Sheffield-born blues artist should receive the vote of the public and judging panel.
In a letter to the Hall of Fame, McCartney wrote: “Dear Rock and Rollers, I would like to suggest Mr Joe Cocker for entry into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame,” calling him a “great man and a fine singer,” and praising his rendition of the Beatles’ song ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’.
McCartney’s letter continued: “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.”
Voting is open now, and all finalists are set to be announced in April, with an induction ceremony scheduled for later in the year. It is estimated that half of the acts who have been nominated could be inducted, with eight of the shortlisted acts for last year’s ceremony having joined the esteemed list of acts already in the Hall of Fame.
Despite being nominated for a second time, Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher recently criticised the Hall of Fame, saying that it was “for wankers” in a scathing attack on X/Twitter.
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