Interview with Derek Trucks about Joe Cocker
Full Transcript
Dear Subscribers,
I’m so sorry to have been so long in posting. It’s been on my mind for many months that I have been unable to write anything here. I don’t want to share why I felt like I needed to distance myself from my life as a Rock ‘n Roll photographer except to say that many photographers, and often it happens more to women than men, are treated poorly by artist management and I experienced this early this year. I felt and I was exploited after making huge sacrifices and being extremely generous. But, of course, in the course of business sometimes the worst sides of people come out and each side has their own points of view. One of the lessons I’ve learned about life is that being a victim, as real as it is and as painful as it can be, doesn’t contribute to experiencing present time or the future in any positive way. One has to stop focusing on it and move on.
Joe Cocker felt victimized by Leon Russell and Leon Russell felt victimized by Joe Cocker, after they’d both given everything they had to make the Joe Cocker Mad Dogs & Englishmen Tour absolutely off the charts GREAT, which they both did. I know each of them gave everything they had and when it was over, each held onto their points of view — both distrusting the other for most of their lives, which is so sad yet so human. Ultimately, the art they made together was extraordinary and mitigates their personal issues. Maybe, what do we know?, these conflicts strengthen our resolves in ways that matter significantly to push us forward to make even greater art.
I know that my work, regardless of my own personal conflicts, brings joy to so many who will never know or even guess that there could possibly have been or be any issues. Issues are not special to me, nor are they special to artists, but I’ve spoken with enough female photographers to know that being taken advantage of is not so rare. So, the reality is we go on and ultimately the only important thing is to keep making art and learn from the experiences to take better care of ourselves.
I do believe that making real art, making strong art is usually just downright messy one way or another — and often there is a sense of the chaotic — control just goes out the window. It can feel like we’re plugged in to the source, as Derek says in this interview, or it can just bomb big time and we’re left with the debris. That’s the risk we take!
Derek Trucks is one of the best humans I’ve ever met. Joe Cocker was also. I don’t know Derek well to know where his growing pains or growing edges are, but I did know Joe well enough to know some of his. He was deeply hurt when he arrived at Leon’s house in 1970, with no band and a contract to do a US tour. He felt betrayed by love. His long time girlfriend had dumped him. His pain was palpable, which made me fall in love with him, like a girl would over a hurt puppy. I, like everyone on that tour, was in awe of his talent — completely inspired by the force of his soul and spirit. As Derek says Joe was authentic, he was tapped into the source, he didn’t phone it in. That’s for sure. Joe gave 100% of himself and he inspired all of us on that Tour to do the saem.
Recently, Bob Dylan was asked who was the greatest singer of his generation and replied dryly: “The greatest singer of my generation? Oh, Joe Cocker, I suppose! Graham Nash can sing. Van Morrison is great and Stevie Wonder is good too. But, of all of them, Joe is the greatest.”
Watch and Listen now to this interview with Derek Trucks, which was done for my book, Tribute: Cocker Power, which you can find for sale on my website, lindawolf.net. When you are finished watching, come on back and leave me a note. It makes such a difference to me to hear from each of you. Enjoy the photos. It was an honor to make them and Joe was always generous with me to allow me into his being.
PS I promise not to be so long before posting again… very soon. Love to everyone, and be safe. It is very painful these days but we must find the beauty as best we can. Go outside into nature and just be with her.
All prayers for all people all over the world,
Peace, Linda
Thank you for this interview. It's so nice to hear someone talk about (my) feelings spot on like this. Pulling it out of your insides isn't something we can switch on. I used to call it finding the "groove". Can't force it. But when it's there, it's there, and everyone present feels it and experiences it with the artist. Thank you Linda again, for conducting this interview, and giving so very much of your self. And thank you Derek Trucks for keeping the Soul going. Dig it.
Thanks for your rich insights into the world of the musicians youʻve worked with over many decades, and for your absolutely GORGEOUS photos. Your introduction to posting the interview shows excellent insight as well. Well done!!