Joe Cocker Backing Singers

In the early 1970s David Porter was a contributing photographer for some of the most influential Australian Rock music and underground publications (Go-Set, Daily/Planet, Rolling Stone (Australian Edition), The Digger. Porter was based in Melbourne, his subject the zeitgeist of its Rock/Pop music, underground theatre, and Counterculture scenes, sometimes working as ‘David Porter’, sometimes ‘Jacques L’Affrique’, sometimes ‘Jack Africa’. In 1973 he left Melbourne, stopped working in commercial photography, and pursued a teaching career.

JOE COCKER
Australasia Tour: Christchurch, Auckland, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane/Perth (cancelled)
Festival Hall Melbourne. 18, 19, 20 October 1972
Supported by Patto.

Joe Cocker’s 1972 Australian tour was an artistic triumph halted by political and media outrage. Presented by Harry M. Miller, the line-up was Cocker (vocals), Chris Stainton (piano], Neil Hubbard (guitar), Alan Spenner (bass), Jim Karstein (drums], Glenn Ross Campbell [steel guitar), Felix Falcon (percussion), Jim Horn (sax, flute), Bobby Keys (tenor sax), Viola Wills (vocals), Virginia Ayers (vocals), Beverly Gardner (vocals), Gloria Jones (vocals).

After rapturous Sydney concerts chaos ensued when Cocker was arrested for possession of Indian Hemp (Adelaide) and assault/resisting arrest (Melbourne). Facing re-election, Australia’s conservative Prime Minister William McMahon took up cudgels to protect the nation’s morals. Mayhem ensued. Miller cancelled Brisbane and Perth concerts. Cocker was deported. Australia became an international laughingstock. The McMahon government lost office six weeks later. In 1974 Cocker returned in triumph.

This photograph was originally published:
The Persecution and Deportation of Joe Cocker and his Travelling Band. The Digger, 4 November 1972 (p.5)
Hounds on Cocker’s Heels. Rolling Stone (Australian Notes), 9 November 1972 (p.33)