Joe Cocker - The Voice That Rocked The World

Centrestage brings together a brand new elite group of top Port Elizabeth musicians to present a tribute to rocker Joe Cocker entitled “The Voice That Rocked the World!”, set to be staged at the Boardwalk Amphitheatre on 28 December 2012.

Fronted by the ideally cast Francois Hugo, who also co-produces the show, along with his tongue in cheek “Not the Centrestage Band”, the seasoned musicians pay tribute to the gravelly-voiced icon, famous for hits such as ``With a little help from my friends, ``Unchain my heart``, “Civilised Man”, “Up Where We Belong”, “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” and ``You can leave your hat on``.

A songbook full of Cocker hits and well known covers, also including a number of wonderful Beatles interpretations such as “Something”, “Let It Be”, “Come Together” and “The Letter” as performed by the superstar, can be expected.

Francois Hugo reprises a show which was originally presented over 15 years ago in association with Gary Hemmings before the days of Centrestage!

He was last seen in Centrestage’s The Vintage Rockers, where audiences were astounded by the manner in which Hugo managed to mimic Cockers’ gravelly, raspy vocal tone.

Hugo is supported by of a hand-picked group including the Mattheus brothers Kevin and Deon on drums and bass respectively, Alan Kozak on guitar, Michelle Mattheus on keyboards and sax and the delightful Claire Venn on guitar and backing vocals.

Who will ever forget the epic performance of the young gas worker from Sheffield England at the 1969 Woodstock music Festival – whose performance of “With a little help from my friends”, along with his now trademark erratic hand movements mimicking playing the piano or guitar, catapulted him to instant stardom?

Critics over the years have applauded the tangible passion which he puts into his performances as his own interpretations of songs by his favorite bands were redefined into beautiful masterpieces with a distinct Cocker feel all of their own.

Well known songs such as “Whiter Shade of Pale”, “You Are So Beautiful to Me”, “When the Night Comes”, “Guilty”, “I Put A Spell on You”, “Feeling Alright” and “First We Take Manhattan” are also included in the lineup.


If your thing is a big live band, intricate arrangements, powerful bluesy vocals and some stomping tunes then you should not miss this show!

Tickets for Joe Cocker – The Voice That Rocked the World are available through Computicket at R110.