After our last tour together in 2013 and what turned out to be the last tour of his career, I told Joe I would archive the update emails I had sent from the road and post them.
He said, "That's a good idea, Nick."

About halfway into what turned out to be thirteen years in his band as keyboardist and then music director, I started writing regularly—first to family and a small group of friends to digest the experiences that constant travel can sometimes wash into a blur. Over the years the list expanded to almost a thousand people. The first twenty posts here are the original update emails in chronological order.

I post these to honor Joe and all who worked with him. There are more stories to write. I will continue to gather them and post from time to time and to invite others to contribute.

Come visit frequently, hang out if you want and get to know my experience of this great artist and true gentleman, Joe Cocker.

In Respect, Gratitude and Love,
Nick

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Hard Knocks Tour Venues 2011


Greetings, again from the HARD KNOCKS TOUR, 2011. Hope everyone is well. 

Yesterday was the Last Tuesday.  We played a show in the park in Hamburg.  I've played this venue many times before, at least twice with Joe and with Tower of Power before that. Today I write from Frankfurt.


Many people are responsible for the stage taking shape before the moment when Joe and the band walk out to begin the show.


Lokerse, Belgium.  The stage is ready.


Enchanting to walk into an empty venue and within hours, the place is abuzz with the assembled crowd, the air thick with anticipation.


Waldbuehne, the venue in Berlin



Waldbuehne filling as the opening act takes the stage...

It is humbling and exciting to see these people who payed money, time and are giving the gift of their attention. No matter how many miles we traveled, how little sleep, how many aches, pains and random daily worries that may be about, when the people show up, there is no choice but to rock.



On the way to the gig. Albi, France



Don Clay, drum tech and back line crew, setting the stage. Albi, France

The crew arrives in the morning, coordinates with the local crew and in the course of the day, stages are assembled.  They do a line check to make sure everything is in the system, and get the balances basically set, to be tweaked further when the band takes over the stage. At this point in the tour, we no longer do a soundcheck. We arrive in the late afternoon and Jack Bruno may beat on his drums for a few minutes, Mike Finnigan may sit down for a few moments on the B3 and I'll check my seat, my pedals and if possible play on headphones for half an hour to warm up. Then we all, crew and band, have dinner!...





Dresden, before


Dresden, during.  A most memorable evening. It rained that night, too...


Dresden, after

Tomorrow the cycle begins again anew...


On the bus... Info for the next few days...

Thank you for your comments. I'm happy that you are finding something of interest in these posts.  May I ask that when you reply, please don't include the attachments (photos) if possible, to help keep the load off the server.  Thanks!

Walk in Beauty,
Nick

PS...

Visit Milomon.com and the What's New page for past Updates, Cocker.com for more tour info, photos and what's coming next.

As always, if you wish to be taken off the update list, just send a reply stating your wish, and it will be done.
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