The unmistakable blues and soul-soaked voice of Joe Cocker will be echoing through the vines at Church Road Winery in Napier early next year. The 66-year-old veteran of the music business, who struck it big in 1969 with a now iconic version of the Beatles' A Little Help From My Friendshas announced two New Zealand vineyard concerts _ the Mudhouse Winery at Waipara on January 22 and one week later at Church Road. There will be chugging rock echoing through the vines also as George Thorogood and the Destroyers has been announced as the special guest act for the two shows. Cocker, with 15 million album sales under his belt, a Grammy, a Golden Globe and an Oscar, has built a reputation for his scorching live performances. The two acts will get local support from The Thomas Oliver Band, who are set to release their debut album Baby, I'll Play early next year. Tickets for the concert go on sale November 26. The announcement of Cocker and Thorogood means the Church Road Winery will be staging two major concerts within a month of each other. Crowded House are scheduled to play there on February 26 as part of a national tour. Joe Cocker ticket prices range from $103.50 for general admission to $190 for gold seating.
