In 1961 under the stage name Vance Arnold Joe Cocker was singer with Vance Arnold and the Avengers. The name was a combination of Vince Everett Elvis Presley’s character in Jailhouse Rock (which Cocker misheard as Vance); and country singer Eddy Arnold. The group mostly played in the pubs of Sheffield performing covers of Chuck Berry and Ray Charles songs. Cocker developed an interest in blues music and sought out recordings by John Lee Hooker Muddy Waters Lightnin’ Hopkins and Howlin’ Wolf. In 1963 they booked their first significant gig when they supported the Rolling Stones at Sheffield City Hall. In 1964 Cocker signed a recording contract as a solo act with Decca and released his first single a cover of the Beatles’ I’ll Cry Instead (with Big Jim Sullivan and Jimmy Page playing guitars). Despite extensive promotion from Decca lauding his youth and working-class roots the record was a flop and his recording contract with Decca lapsed at the end of 1964. Now you too can hear what might have been.

1. Sixteen Tons
2. Money
3. Georgia
4. News Is Out
5. Ride On
6. Josephine
7. Youd Better Move On
8. Im Free