Joe Cocker’s legacy set to come to life in Cairns tribute show

The show, dubbed ”’Mad Dog vs The Englishman”, takes audiences on a journey through two defining eras of Cocker’s career. 

The act channels the electrifying performances that made Cocker a Woodstock legend and a rock icon with his Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour.

Lead vocalist Chev Wilson and bandopens with the soulful, refined sound of his later years, known as The Englishman, with hits like Unchain My Heart, Leave Your Hat On, and Up Where We Belong. 

Then he dives into the wild energy of his early days as the Mad Dog, featuring classics such as The Letter, Delta Lady, and his unforgettable rendition of With a Little Help From My Friends.

The performance is also a tribute to Cocker’s life story. 

Between songs, Chev Wilson shares anecdotes from the singer’s career, touching on his rise to fame, his struggles and triumphs, and the legendary Woodstock performance that cemented his place in rock history. 

Visual projections of rare footage, album covers, and film clips enhance the experience, adding a nostalgic, immersive layer that connects the audience to the man behind the music.

Chev Wilson brings remarkable authenticity to the role, not through imitation, but by channelling the soul and spirit of Cocker. 

“I’m very blessed to have a similar vibe and character to Joe,” he said. “There’s no ‘getting into character’,I just go out there as myself and celebrate his life.”

The tribute show also marks a fitting moment to celebrate Cocker’s recent induction into the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, an honour that fans and fellow musicians say was long overdue.