They lived on opposite sides of the world, but gravel-voiced Englishman Joe Cocker and equally gritty Australian vocalist Doug Parkinson had many things in common.
Both were born in steel towns, Cocker in Sheffield and Parkinson in Newcastle; both had hits with The Beatles songs, Cocker’s With A Little Help from My Friends and Parkinson’s Dear Prudence.
Both were born with unmistakable voices and both lived rock star lifestyles tainted by drug and alcohol abuse that jeopardised their health and often got them into trouble with authority.
So it made sense that, a year after the Englishman’s death, Doug Parkinson would honour the achievements of Cocker, backed by some of the finest R ‘n’ B musicians in the land.
After just a handful of live sell-out shows and standing ovations, Doug Parkinson Honours Joe Cocker concerts are proof that this tribute is something special.
“I’m a completely different singer to Joe Cocker,” Parkinson says.
“Our styles are poles apart, yet the common perception is that we are very similar. The punters want to hear the songs again, sung by a voice that reminds them of the original.”
Parkinson said he hasn’t attempted to copy Cocker’s twitchy visual antics, leaving that to his imitators.
“It’s completely about the music – I like to think that somehow I’m helping to preserve his memory and the respect that is his due,” Parkinson added.
The opening half of the show features Parkinson’s own impressive hits and favourites, giving audiences “both sides of the same coin”.
Excited and impassioned are just two words to describe the unmistakable voice of Australian rock and soul legend Doug Parkinson.
The multiple award-winner is known for his hits including Dear Prudence, Without You, I’ll Be Around and The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore.
Parkinson is well known for forming ‘in Focus’ in 1968, becoming the musician’s outfit of its time.
Stage roles in The Who’s rock opera Tommy, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Ned Kelly followed.
He collaborated and recorded two tracks for the cult film Stone and had another top 10 hit with Everlasting Love.
During his extraordinary career, Parkinson has appeared alongside many international stars including Paul Jones, The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Pointer Sisters, Thelma Houston and Randy Crawford.
He also won roles in Big River, as The Big Bopper in the smash hit musical Buddy, Grease The Arena Spectacular, Happy Days and the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz.
Doug Parkinson Honours Joe Cocker is at Geelong Performing Arts Centre on 13 May.
