Jarvis Cocker Age, Height & Biography

Jarvis Cocker is an English singer, songwriter and musician best known as the frontman of Pulp, the Sheffield band behind the 1990s anthem Common People. With his tall frame, distinctive voice and observational lyrics, he became one of the most recognisable figures of Britpop.

Quick Facts

Full Name	Jarvis Branson Cocker
Born	September 19, 1963
Age	63 years old
Birthplace	Sheffield, England
Nationality	English
Height	6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m)
Occupation	Singer, songwriter, musician
Years Active	1978 – present
Children	Albert
Known For	Pulp, Common People, Disco 2000

Who Is Jarvis Cocker?

Jarvis Cocker is a singer and songwriter from Sheffield, England, who led Pulp from a school band to one of Britain’s biggest groups. Pulp’s album Different Class, released in 1995, and its single Common People became defining records of the Britpop era, with Cocker’s lyrics about class and everyday life striking a chord with listeners.

After Pulp’s first run ended, Cocker built a solo career, presented radio programmes for the BBC, and worked on film and theatre projects. He reunited Pulp for tours in 2011 and again in 2023, and the band released the album More in 2025, their first new studio album in 24 years.

Early Life & Background

Jarvis Branson Cocker was born on September 19, 1963, in Sheffield, England, to Mac Cocker, a DJ and actor, and Christine Cocker. His father left the family when Jarvis was seven and moved to Australia. Cocker attended City School in Sheffield and, as a teenager, was inspired by the punk movement to start a band.

In 1978, at the age of 15, Cocker formed a band called Arabicus Pulp with friends at school, which later became Pulp. He studied at Saint Martin’s School of Art in London, where he took a film course, while continuing to work on the band’s music in his spare time.

Career

Pulp released their first album, It, in 1983, and spent years building a following before their breakthrough. The album His ‘n’ Hers, released in 1994, included the singles Babies and Do You Remember the First Time? Their next album, Different Class, released in 1995, reached number one in the UK and included Common People and Disco 2000.

Pulp followed Different Class with This Is Hardcore in 1998 and We Love Life in 2001, before taking a break in 2002. Cocker’s solo career began with the album Jarvis in 2006, which included the song Running the World, and Further Complications followed in 2009. He also presented BBC Radio 6 Music programmes, including Jarvis Cocker’s Sunday Service.

Pulp reunited for tours in 2011 and 2012, and again from 2023, playing festivals and large venues. In 2020 Cocker released Beyond the Pale with his band JARV IS…, and in 2025 Pulp released More, their first studio album since We Love Life.

Outside Pulp, Cocker has presented programmes for BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Radio 4, written for film and television, and published a book, Good Pop, Bad Pop, in 2022, based on items from his loft. He has also worked as a DJ and curated events, and in 2017 he released the album Room 29 with pianist Chilly Gonzales, a song cycle inspired by the Chateau Marmont hotel in Los Angeles.

Facts About Jarvis Cocker

• Jarvis Cocker was born in Sheffield on September 19, 1963.
• He formed Pulp at the age of 15 in 1978.
• Pulp’s single Common People was released in 1995.
• He released the solo album Jarvis in 2006.
• He presented BBC Radio 6 Music programmes, including Sunday Service.

Frequently Asked Questions