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Joe Cocker, raspy-voiced rocker, dies of lung cancer at 70

Joe Cocker, the passionate performer behind hits like "Up Where We Belong" and "You Are So Beautiful," died Monday at age 70.
Singer Joe Cocker performs during the \"Hard Knocks Tour 2011\" at Auditorium Parco Della Musica on July 27, 2011 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Ernesto Ruscio/Getty)
Singer Joe Cocker performs during the \"Hard Knocks Tour 2011\" at Auditorium Parco Della Musica on July 27, 2011 in Rome, Italy.

Joe Cocker, the raspy-voiced rocker and passionate performer behind hits like "Up Where We Belong" and "You Are So Beautiful," died Monday at age 70 after a battle with lung cancer, Sony Music confirmed. In a career that spanned five decades, Cocker performed at Woodstock, took a cover of the Beatles' "With a Little Help from My Friends" to No. 1, won a Grammy and received the royal honor Order of the British Empire. Born in Sheffield, England, he lived in Colorado at the time of his death.

"Joe Cocker is a legendary artist of rock and blues history and yet he was one of the most humble men I've ever met," said Edgar Berger, CEO of Sony Music Entertainment. "His iconic voice will forever be etched in our memories and our thoughts go out to Joe's wife Pam and his family at this difficult time. Joe will live on in the hearts of millions of fans around the world."

This article originally appeared on NBCNews.com