Music author and biographer Mark Bego chatted about his forthcoming book “Joe Cocker: With a LOT of Help From His Friends,” which will be officially released on November 16.
Inspiration for new Joe Cocker biography
On his inspiration to write this book, Bego said, “This was one of the most interesting books in my writing career. I would have never have thought about writing about Joe Cocker on my own. Last year I was approached by a movie producer about writing a film screenplay about Joe.”
“The opportunity came out of the blue, and I looked at it as a challenge. I wrote the screenplay, it came out successfully, and it is currently out being shopped to directors and film studios. Right after I finished the screenplay, Yorkshire Publishing asked me what I wanted to do next as a biography,” he elaborated.
“Since I had just done all of my research for the screenplay, I decided to dig deeper into Cocker’s life, and it has become this fascinating new book,” he added.
Favorite part about writing the book
On his favorite part about writing the book, he said, “What drew me to this business of writing rock and roll biographies, was the fact that I loved music, and I became fascinated with finding out about the people behind the music.”
He continued, “What was fascinating to me about Joe was that—other than Woodstock and Mad Dogs & Englishmen—two years ago I knew absolutely nothing about his life.”
“For me, I didn’t go into writing the screenplay and this book because I had a strong sense of his story, and wanted to tell what I knew. This was more like a mystery to me, and the book that I have written is about my research and findings,” he expressed.
“Also, it put me back in touch with beloved singer Melanie. She was a performer at Woodstock alongside Joe, and she wrote a great Introduction to this book,” he added.
Joe Cocker: his artistry and legacy
When asked what drew him to Joe Cocker’s music and legacy, he said, “I have written and published 68 books on rock & roll and show business. I grew up with
a great love for music and musicians.”
“Being from Detroit, I know and love the history of Motown, and all of the great artists on that label. I also grew up with a great passion for pop and rock music, and I have written books about all of my favorite singers,” he said.
Bego continued, “What drew me to Joe was the fact that although I was familiar with his music, I knew next to nothing about his personal life. I was surprised to find out that he was without a doubt, one of the most self-destructive people in show business.”
“It was amazing that he could consume drugs and alcohol at such an alarming pace, and still function. He also made some of the worst business decisions in his career. Joe was a mystery to me, and I set out to solve that mystery,” he added.
The digital age
On being an author in the digital age, he responded, “I consider myself a traditional author, in that all of my books start out with me plotting them out with an ink pen and paper.”
“My first books were written on my little Smith Corona manual typewriter—long before computers came along. If I wanted to move a paragraph, I would get a pair of scissors and rubber cement. I would cut it out, move it, and tape or glue it down, and then photocopy the pasted together page to be submitted to the publisher,” he explained.
“I bought my first laptop computer in the 1990s, and I had to be forced into
it at the time. Regardless of any machines that exist, all of my books start out with a pen on paper,” he added.
AI on the future of the music and entertainment business
Bego shared his thoughts on AI on the future of the music and entertainment business.
“I am one of the most anti-machine people on the planet,” he said. “I shudder to think of machines creating music and books. A dear friend of mine bought me a present of an Alexa device to play music, and update my house. I told her, ‘Get that damn talking machine out of my house, I refuse to have it here’.”
“I would much rather have my CD player and turntable hooked up at all times, than allow a computer to make my music selections for me,” he said.
“While I am on the subject, I also refuse to allow a microwave oven in my house
either. My hit cookbook, ‘Eat Like A Rock Star,’ does not contain a single recipe
involving a microwave—I wouldn’t allow it. In my mind, microwaves don’t cook food,
they destroy it. I am a true traditionalist,” he acknowledged.
Success
On his definition of the word success, Bego said, “Success to me means setting a goal for you, and following through with it. I don’t consider myself only a writer and author, I am also a painter, and I design jewelry.”
“I always have to be creating something, and that colors my definition of ‘success.’ To be able to find happiness in creating things, and making other people happy, in my mind that is true success,” he added.
Closing thoughts on his new Joe Cocker book
Bego remarked about Joe Cocker, “Joe was one of the most talented and beloved voices in rock & roll, and his story is as dramatic and colorful as his music. What he liked to do the most was to have a good time and make great music, and he was able to do that all the way to the end of his career.”
“One of the best parts about Joe’s story was the fact that late in his life he was able to find love, and it was his wife, Pam Baker, who was able to finally get him to quit drinking and smoking cigarettes,” he said.
“Although Joe had put himself through some harrowing experiences along the way, his story is also ultimately one of redemption, and recovery,” he added.
To learn more about Mark Bego, check out his official website.
