Couple take the wheel of rock history after buying Sheffield singer Joe Cocker’s Jaguar car

As an adopted home, the US town of Crawford in Western Colorado was a long way from singer Joe Cocker’s birthplace in Crookes.
Brenda and Tom Kelley, the winning bidders for Joe Cocker's Jaguar carBrenda and Tom Kelley, the winning bidders for Joe Cocker's Jaguar car
Brenda and Tom Kelley, the winning bidders for Joe Cocker's Jaguar car

But Joe and his wife Pam quickly became part of the community after moving there over 20 years ago - and the support for local causes continues after the singer’s death last December.

Pam donated her late husband’s 1995 Jaguar XJ12 car to KVNF Community Radio, a not-for-profit channel that serves seven counties of Western Colorado. The station auctioned off the vehicle to raise funds for its activities.

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The car is in British Racing Green, and Joe learned to drive at its wheel. It was previously kept at his Mad Dog Ranch, but is now the property of married couple Brenda and Tom Kelley, who won the auction by just $5 with their highest bid of $25,705 - or £17,247.

The Cocker fans live in Grand Junction, Colorado, but Brenda was born in Kent and moved to the US as a young child, spending summers with her grandmother on the Isle of Wight.

“Joe Cocker was my mother’s favorite rock star,” said Brenda. “When he passed away last year I wrote a lengthy tribute to him and have always felt such a connection to his music.”

Tom added: “We’re products of the 60s and have always loved Joe’s music. We attended concerts when he was opening for bands like the Beatles!”

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The Kelleys frequently drove through Crawford and enjoyed dining at the Mad Dog Café, an eatery built by Pam and Joe as both an economic driver and a meeting place.

They also attended both of Joe’s ‘At Home’ concerts held at the County Fairgrounds in nearby Hotchkiss, to benefit another of Pam and Joe’s philanthropic efforts, The Cocker Kids’ Foundation.

Jon Howard, general manager of KVNF, said: “We’re in awe, and grateful for, Joe and Pam Cocker’s unsurpassed support of this community radio station over many years.

“We couldn’t be happier with the way the auction turned out. It’s really fun to have the British connection and to see the Kelleys’ love for Joe’s music. Plus, the locals are thrilled that the Jag will stay here, at home on the Western Slope of Colorado. Joe Cocker’s love of the area and his support for many local causes will keep on giving joy to many for years to come.”

Pam added: “Joe would have wanted KVNF to have this car.”

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