Joe Cocker Mad Dogs And Englishmen Tour Dates
If there was one tour that solidified Joe Cocker's status as a legendary performer, it's the Mad Dogs and Englishmen Tour of 1970. The tour was a 56-show extravaganza that spanned the United States and Canada, featuring a 20-piece band and a cast of backup singers that included some of the most talented musicians of the era. Here is a comprehensive look at the tour dates, highlights, and legacy of the Mad Dogs and Englishmen Tour.
The Formation of the Tour
The Mad Dogs and Englishmen Tour was born out of Joe Cocker's desire to break away from his image as a one-hit wonder and establish himself as a serious artist. He enlisted the help of Leon Russell, a talented musician and producer who had worked with many of the biggest acts of the time, to put together a band and arrange the music for the tour.
The band that Russell assembled was nothing short of incredible. It featured some of the top session musicians of the time, including guitarist Don Preston, drummer Jim Keltner, and bassist Carl Radle. Backup singers included Claudia Lennear, Rita Coolidge, and the legendary gospel group The Space Choir.
The tour was named after the song "Mad Dogs and Englishmen," which was written by Noël Coward in the 1930s and later recorded by Cocker. The song's lyrics were a tongue-in-cheek reference to the British colonialism of the time and the perceived superiority of the English. It was a fitting name for a tour that featured a bunch of British musicians and singers rampaging across the North American continent.
The Tour Dates
The Mad Dogs and Englishmen Tour kicked off in late March 1970 in Detroit, Michigan, and wrapped up in mid-August in Honolulu, Hawaii. In between, the band played 56 shows in 48 cities across the United States and Canada, performing to sold-out crowds and earning rave reviews from critics and fans alike.
Some of the tour's most memorable shows included a two-night stint at New York's Fillmore East, a performance at the Hollywood Bowl that was recorded for a live album, and a show at the Coliseum in Vancouver that drew a record-breaking crowd of more than 20,000 fans.
Despite the grueling schedule and the constant partying that went on behind the scenes, the band managed to deliver electrifying performances night after night. Cocker's gravelly voice and wild stage presence were complemented by Russell's impeccable keyboard skills and the tight harmonies of the backup singers.
The Legacy of the Tour
For Joe Cocker, the Mad Dogs and Englishmen Tour was a turning point in his career. It showed that he was more than just a novelty act and that he had the talent and charisma to stand among the greats of his generation. The tour was also a tribute to the power of collaboration and the magic that can happen when talented musicians come together to create something special.
The legacy of the tour can be felt in the music of countless artists who have been inspired by Cocker's raw, soulful sound and the sense of camaraderie and joy that permeated every performance. The Mad Dogs and Englishmen Tour was a moment in time that will never be forgotten, a celebration of music and life that captured the spirit of an era.
The Bottom Line
If you're a fan of Joe Cocker or 70s rock in general, the Mad Dogs and Englishmen Tour is a must-see event. Even if you weren't alive to experience it firsthand, the music and the energy of the tour are still alive and well today. So put on your bell-bottoms, grab a drink, and get ready to be transported back to a time when music ruled the world.
