Joe Cocker , OBE ( born 20 May 1944 ) is an English rock\/blues singer who came to popularity in the 1960s , and is most known for his gritty voice and his cover versions of popular songs , particularly those of The Beatles . John Robert `` Joe '' Cocker , OBE ( born 20 May 1944 ) is an English rock\/blues musician , composer and actor who came to popularity in the 1960s , and is most known for his gritty voice , his idiosyncratic arm movements while performing , and his cover versions of popular songs , particularly those of The Beatles .