Joe Cocker dead: Legendary rock and soul singer dies of lung cancer, aged 70

You Are So Beautiful is among his best-loved songs

Legendary blues and rock singer Joe Cocker has died of lung cancer, his management team as confirmed. He was 70 (AFP/Getty)

Legendary soul and rock singer Joe Cocker has died of lung cancer in the US state of Colorado, his management team has confirmed. He was 70.

Barrie Marshall, Joe Cocker's agent, confirmed the singer's death "with the heaviest heart".

"He was without the doubt the greatest rock/soul voice ever to come out of Britain - and remained the same throughout his life [sic].

"Hugely talented - a true star - but a kind and humble man who loved to perform. Anyone who ever saw him live will never forget him.

During his prolific career, he released 23 studio albums, including Fire It Up in 2012, and toured extensively across the world. His first of two performances at the iconic US festival Woodstock is one of his most well-remembered gigs.

In 2007, he was honoured with an OBE.

Sheffield born soul rock singer Joe Cocker on stage and mid-song at the Isle of Wight Festival. (Central Press/Getty Images)

You Are So Beautiful - a Top Ten hit in 1975 - Unchain My Heart , and Randy Newman's You Can Leave Your Hat On and When the Night Comes are among his most popular songs.

He also reached Number One in the UK in 1968 with The Beatles cover With a Little Help from My Friends.

Up Where We Belong, his duet with Jennifer Warnes, featured in the film An Officer And A Gentleman and reached number one - winning both stars a Grammy and an Academy Award.

Earlier this year, he broke his own records with a number one album in Germany, and played arenas across Europe including a final concert in Hammersmith in June, Mr Marshall said.

Cocker lived in Crawford, Colorado, where he and his wife, Pam, had set up the Cocker Kids' Foundation to support local youth.

"It was to be his last tour, he left at the very pinnacle of his talent," his agent added.

Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney led tributes to Cocker, and called the singer's rendition of his band's song "mind-blowing".

Sir Paul said: "It's really sad to hear about Joe's passing. He was a lovely northern lad who I loved a lot and, like many people, I loved his singing

"I was especially pleased when he decided to cover With A Little Help From My Friends and I remember him and [producer] Denny Cordell coming round to the studio in Savile Row and playing me what they'd recorded and it was just mind-blowing, totally turned the song into a soul anthem and I was forever grateful for him for doing that.

"I knew him through the years as a good mate and I was so sad to hear that he had been ill and really sad to hear today that he had passed away. He was a great guy, a lovely guy who brought so much to the world and we'll all miss him," he added.