Presskit

Celebrating the man, the legend, and his music

Since 2011 The Joe Cocker Connection has evolved through the years to become one of the best Joe Cocker Tribute acts in Europe. The band delivers a truly authentic sound to decades of Joe Cocker hits. Performing his songs on the highest level and with the greatest respect to the man, the legend and his music.

"The lead singer is the reincarnation of Joe Cocker, both in voice and in movements on stage, and knows very well how to play the audience!" (Rootsville website)

Bio

The Joe Connection was founded in 2011 by Dirk Verstocken, after a press release for a live solo Joe Cocker act, he did in 2010. The article stated that "the performance was on such a high level, the singer really has to surround himself with some great musicians in order to reply to the exponentially growing demands of tribute acts."

Play as a band, not as an individual

After being in a couple of bands already in prior years, and being somewhat disappointed with how things were managed in those bands, Dirk was not so eager to be in a band again. At the time he was quite happy as a solo artist. He figured that, when every band member has to have a say in every decision that has to be made, that band was going nowhere. So he knew that the search wasn't going to be easy. Not only did he need great musicians, most of all, he needed great people! Musicians without an ego, who were willing to put aside their own virtuosity in order to play as a band and not as an individual.

Wingman and soulmate Reggie

in march of 2011, he finally decides to address the elephant in the room, and start his own Joe Cocker tribute band...only this time, on his own terms! In Reggie Baeyens, a trained musician and excellent guitar player, he finds his wingman and soulmate. Together they started a journey that wasn't without obstacles. People came and people went, but the two always stuck together. With Reggie as musical director and Dirk as general band manager, they both literally made The Joe Cocker Connection to what it is today. A 9-piece professional tribute band, with highly skilled musicians and an impressive Joe Cocker tribute show. With concerts in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Romania, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and of course their home country Belgium, this band has become one of the best Joe Cocker Tribute act in Europe.

"Joe Cocker must have been in the front row, and raising a glass for The Joe Cocker Connection!" (Roland Herman - Musician)

The Ultimate Up

A highlight for the band was supporting Bonnie Tyler during her Austrian tour in 2019, which has kind of a funny story attached to it. The band was promoted as "The Joe Cocker All Star Band". Initially, the tour agency had booked only Dirk to be the frontman for a mix of musicians who all played with the real Joe Cocker. But because of financial and logistical reasons, it became clear after a while, that this line-up was going to be too expensive for a supporting act.

Martin Ernst

So the agency decided to book The Joe Cocker Connection full band and add one original Joe Cocker musician to the band. Martin Ernst, a Hammond organist who played along side Joe Cocker for his German tv-shows.

We want more

And they were right. During the show in Kufstein, a crowd of almost 10.000 people sang along with every Joe Cocker hit that was performed that night. So when the band had played the last song and went off stage, the crowd kept shouting that they wanted more. Being a support act, they knew that doing some encores was just out of the question. So, very happy with such a good show, but also a little bit disappointed that they couldn't give the crowd a couple of songs more, they walked off stage.

You guys really rock

Bonnie and her band, already set to start the main event of the evening, had watched the Joe Cocker tribute show from the side of the stage, and said to Dirk..."you guys really rock, c'mon, give them some more". And so they did. With encores "You Can Leave Your Hat On", and the very catchy "Bad Bad Sign, The Joe Cocker Connection totally blew of the roof and made it a show that will forever go down as a "remember-that-night" moment. Even Martin Ernst said..."this is the best tribute band I ever worked with, and they can always call me if they need me. I love playing with these guys!"

"You guys really rock! C'mon, give them some more!" (Bonnie Tyler - Kufstein Austria)

The Ultimate Down

In the spring of 2023, dark clouds gathered over the future of The Joe Cocker Connection. On the night of June 15, lead singer Dirk was struck by a major stroke. While watching tv, he suddenly felt a kind of numbness on the left side of his face, his left arm and leg. The Joe Cocker Connection singer immediately realized that there was something very wrong and was rushed to the hospital.

An unclear and questionable future

The verdict...two minor, and one mayor stroke. All the upcoming concerts of the band had to be canceled and suddenly the future of the band became very unclear and questionable. A long period of rehabilitation was laying ahead of Dirk, without anyone knowing when, or even 'if' he would ever walked a stage again. Everything depended on the progress that could be made during the rehabilitation. At first, this news came as a bolt from the blue for him, but after letting it sink in for a while, he started rehab in July of '23

Setting the goal

In september of that same year, he went to Spain for two months to work on his recovery individually, with only one thing on his mind...picking up where he left off. He had set a goal for himself...being back on stage with The Joe Cocker Connection in 'one' year! A goal that raised eyebrows for doctors and family, and was considered as unrealistic at the time. But they all kept quiet because they didn't want to demotivate him. Though, on doctor's advice, he was only allowed to book one concert for 2024. So he set his goal to August 31 2024.Being headliner at the Ruyter festival in Waasmunster Belgium. Making a comeback at a popular and cosy local festival, in the town of Waasmunster. A place where he had lived for more then 20 years. What could be more beautiful than that?

Working like crazy

With blood, sweat and tears and the support of his family, who stood by him in every step of the way, he slowly was getting there. In april of 2024, he began singing some lines in the studio again, and by Juli of that same year, he did his first rehearsal with the band. There were no problems during the rehearsals, but no one knew for sure how it would go during a live performance.

The band's last concert in Switzerland

"for about 2 hours, I was pretty sure Joe Cocker was still among us...until we realized that we had been blown away by an amazing performance of The Joe Cocker Connection"
(Rudy Hoste - Casino Kursaal Ostend)

The Ultimate Rise

August 31th 2024. D-Day for The Joe Cocker Connection. Is it gonna be a fresh start, or the bitter end for, the almost 15 year old, tribute band? Nobody knew. One thing's for sure, it certainly won't be due to the setting at Ruyter festival in Waasmunster. A very nice location, in a cosy setting, with food- and drink stands, on a warm August night.

Meanwhile in the backstage

7 pm. The first band of the evening hits the stage. Meanwhile in the backstage, The Joe Cocker Connection band members slowly are arriving. Dirk, a bit more nervous then normal of course, but nothing that glas of whine or two can't help. After a light meal with the band and family, Dirk, Reggie and the girls go over some last adjustments for the vocals. The second band of the evening is already halfway through their set, so it's time to get dressed. By then the festival ground slowly gets filled up, because most of the people were there to see The Joe Cocker Connection. After a short line-check at 22.30 p.m., It's showtime!

Getting in the zone

After the introduction track, Reggie entered the stage, opening the 'Shelter Me' guitar rif. When the band kicked in, the powerful beat of the rhythm section is all Dirk needs to get in the zone. He walked the stage, and after 17 months, he released his first raw vocal notes to the public again. 'Shelter me', followed by 'She Came In through The Bathroom Window' and 'The Letter', all hits from the early Cocker period. The public knew immediately that they were in for a treat on this mellow august summer night.

Ready for a Joe Cocker party

'When The Night Comes' made the audience all gather in front of the stage. Showing the band that they were ready for a Joe Cocker party! And boy, did they get one. The band was running like a well oiled machine. Not a soul that could ever guessed that they hadn't played together for more then a year and a half. Hits like 'Unchain My Heart', 'When The Night Comes', 'Fever', 'Come together', 'Chain Of Fools', you name it...they played it! Even 'non' joe cocker fans were dancing, singing and shouting. Due to the local location of the festival many friends and family of Dirk were present to support him. Certainly his close family were visibly affected by what was happening on stage. Because only they knew what he had to go through to do this show.

Up where 'you' belong

An hour into the set, everything still going very well for the singer. The band dropped the tempo of the show, and made some room for some of Joe's world famous ballads. Thanking the audience with a touching 'You Are So Beautiful', followed by a "now-more-emotional-then-ever" 'Up Where We Belong'. A fan, spotted in the audience with a self-made poster, wich read 'Up Where 'You' Belong!', made it all the more intense for The Joe Cocker Connection's frontman. After a few ballads the Joe Cocker plane was about to lift off again and rock until the end. With 'High Time We Went' and the rock anthem 'With A Little Help From My Friends' as last songs,Tthe Joe Cocker Connection left the stage.

Encores

After a few minutes, a follow spot suddenly lights up Joe's microphone stand... and he entered the stage again. All alone this time, because nobody could see Bart, the pianist, sitting behind in the dark. The Joe Cocker Connection started the encores in an unusual way. With only the piano that accompanied the singer for 'Long As I Can See The Light'. A tactical move because after a few lines of the song., the band blasted 'Cry Me A River' through the speakers. Followed by the 'Striptease' soundtrack 'You Can Leave Your Hat On' and their usual closer, 'Bad Bad Sign'. These encores left no one standing still on the festival ground. With a bow from the band and thunderous applause, the boys and girls of The Joe Cocker Connection left the stage. Gone was the doubt and the uncertainty surrounding the Joe Cocker tribute band. All the people, who were there agreed,...The Joe Cocker Connection is back!