Musician who Paul McCartney submitted to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced for Class of 2025

A musician submitted for approval to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Paul McCartney will be part of the Class of 2025.

The Beatles and Wings member wrote an impassioned letter of recommendation to the organisation earlier this year in support of an artist McCartney believes should be a member. Just two months after receiving his letter, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has confirmed it will place Joe Cocker in the Class of 2025. An inductees page has since appeared honouring Cocker, who covered The Beatles’ With a Little Help from My Friends in 1969. McCartney had praised the cover of the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band song in his letter recommending the OBE-honoured artist. The cover proved to be a hit for Cocker, who will be honoured in this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class.

A letter from McCartney, sent to the awards body, reads: “Dear Rock and rollers, I would like to suggest Mr Joe Cocker for entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Joe was a great man and a fine singer whose unique style made for some fantastic performances. He sang one of our songs, With a Little Help From My Friends, a version produced by Denny Cordell which was very imaginative.

“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. Thank you and all the best, Paul McCartney.”

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has since praised Cocker’s “true genius” in an inductees page post to their website. Their entry reads: “Joe Cocker’s true genius lay in his rare ability to take someone else’s music and use his raw and powerful voice to make it uniquely his own.

“Joe Cocker was one of rock & roll’s most gifted and influential artists. With his distinctive, soulful voice and his singular talent as a song stylist, Cocker’s true genius lay in his rare ability to take someone else’s music and make it uniquely his own, captivating the imagination of millions of listeners.”

Fans of Cocker have since praised McCartney for sending a letter of recommendation to the organisation. One user took to Reddit and wrote: “This is two months after Paul wrote a letter to the Hall of Fame endorsing his induction.

“Think about that for a minute. Joe Cocker has been eligible for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for thirty-six years. He’s been dead for ten years. Paul writes a brief letter and poof, he’s in. Now that’s some serious influence.”

Another added: “He did the same thing for Foreigner last year (albeit with a short video endorsement rather than a letter). I wonder if this is going to be an annual thing for Macca.” A third wrote: “Paul needs to write one for Billy Idol next year. He should have gotten in this time.”