Joe Cole (roadie)
Encyclopedia
Joseph Dennis "Joe" Cole (April 10, 1961 – December 19, 1991) was a roadie for Black Flag
and Rollins Band
. He was the best friend and roommate of the musician/author/actor Henry Rollins
. His memoirs were published posthumously by 2.13.61
publishing, Planet Joe, in which he documented his experiences on the last Black Flag tour and first Rollins Band tour. He was shot and killed in a robbery at their home on December 19, 1991 after the two men attended a Hole
concert at the Whiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles. Shortly after returning home from the concert, Cole and Rollins walked to a video store to rent a movie. As they were approaching their house on the way back they were confronted by two armed men who demanded money. Unsatisfied with the small amount of cash the men had in their pockets, the robbers ordered Cole and Rollins to go inside of their house. As Rollins unlocked the door and stepped inside, he heard a commotion behind him followed by gunshots. Rollins fled out the back door of the house and ran blocks away to a phone where he called police, narrowly escaping bullets himself. In 1992, the case was aired on Unsolved Mysteries
. The murder remains unsolved. Cole was 30 years old.
Rollins went on to publish a two-part book series, the first book chronicling his time with Cole as his roommate, See a Grown Man Cry, and the second Rollins' non-stop working to near-nervous breakdown
in the year following Cole's death, Now Watch Him Die.
Sonic Youth
's "JC" was inspired by Cole's murder, and the Sonic Youth song "100%" on their Dirty album was dedicated to him. The music video shows a reenactment of the police finding Cole, played by actor Jason Lee
, dead. Prior to his murder, Cole also appeared in Sonic Youth's self-produced music video for the song "My Friend Goo" which is on their Corporate Ghost DVD.
At the time of his death, Cole was in a relationship with Babes in Toyland
bassist Michelle Leon. After his death, she was unable to face the rigors of touring and quit the group. Peers of Babes in Toyland, Hole
, also dedicated their second studio album, Live Through This
, (1994) to Joe Cole. Courtney Love
's 2006 memoir, Dirty Blonde, also features a page as tribute to Joe Cole.
Joe Cole can be seen in many scenes of Dave Markey
's movie, 1991: The Year Punk Broke
as well as in some of Dave Markey's short films.
Cole's father was actor Dennis Cole
and his mother is the former Sally Bergeron. Dennis Cole was briefly married during Joe's adolescence to Charlie's Angels
actress Jaclyn Smith
.
Black Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
and Rollins Band
Rollins Band
Rollins Band was an American rock band led by singer and songwriter Henry Rollins.They are best known for the songs "Low Self Opinion" and "Liar", which both earned heavy airplay on MTV in the early 1990s...
. He was the best friend and roommate of the musician/author/actor Henry Rollins
Henry Rollins
Henry Rollins is an American singer-songwriter, spoken word artist, writer, comedian, publisher, actor, and radio DJ....
. His memoirs were published posthumously by 2.13.61
2.13.61
2.13.61, Inc. is a publisher and record company founded by musician Henry Rollins and named after his birthday . The company has released albums by the Rollins Band, all of Rollins's spoken-word work, and numerous books....
publishing, Planet Joe, in which he documented his experiences on the last Black Flag tour and first Rollins Band tour. He was shot and killed in a robbery at their home on December 19, 1991 after the two men attended a Hole
Hole (band)
Hole is an American alternative rock band that originally formed in Los Angeles in 1989. The band is fronted by vocalist/songwriter and rhythm guitarist Courtney Love, who co-founded Hole with former songwriter/lead guitarist Eric Erlandson...
concert at the Whiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles. Shortly after returning home from the concert, Cole and Rollins walked to a video store to rent a movie. As they were approaching their house on the way back they were confronted by two armed men who demanded money. Unsatisfied with the small amount of cash the men had in their pockets, the robbers ordered Cole and Rollins to go inside of their house. As Rollins unlocked the door and stepped inside, he heard a commotion behind him followed by gunshots. Rollins fled out the back door of the house and ran blocks away to a phone where he called police, narrowly escaping bullets himself. In 1992, the case was aired on Unsolved Mysteries
Unsolved Mysteries
Unsolved Mysteries is an American television program, hosted by Robert Stack, from 1987 until 2002, and later by Dennis Farina, starting in 2008...
. The murder remains unsolved. Cole was 30 years old.
Rollins went on to publish a two-part book series, the first book chronicling his time with Cole as his roommate, See a Grown Man Cry, and the second Rollins' non-stop working to near-nervous breakdown
Nervous breakdown
Mental breakdown is a non-medical term used to describe an acute, time-limited phase of a specific disorder that presents primarily with features of depression or anxiety.-Definition:...
in the year following Cole's death, Now Watch Him Die.
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
's "JC" was inspired by Cole's murder, and the Sonic Youth song "100%" on their Dirty album was dedicated to him. The music video shows a reenactment of the police finding Cole, played by actor Jason Lee
Jason Lee (actor)
Jason Michael Lee is an American actor and skateboarder known for his role as the title character on the NBC television series My Name is Earl, his portrayal of Syndrome in the film The Incredibles, his role as Dave Seville in the Alvin and the Chipmunks films, and his work with director Kevin...
, dead. Prior to his murder, Cole also appeared in Sonic Youth's self-produced music video for the song "My Friend Goo" which is on their Corporate Ghost DVD.
At the time of his death, Cole was in a relationship with Babes in Toyland
Babes in Toyland (band)
Babes in Toyland was an American alternative rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1987. The band was formed by Oregon native Kat Bjelland , with Lori Barbero and Michelle Leon , who was later replaced by Maureen Herman in 1992...
bassist Michelle Leon. After his death, she was unable to face the rigors of touring and quit the group. Peers of Babes in Toyland, Hole
Hole (band)
Hole is an American alternative rock band that originally formed in Los Angeles in 1989. The band is fronted by vocalist/songwriter and rhythm guitarist Courtney Love, who co-founded Hole with former songwriter/lead guitarist Eric Erlandson...
, also dedicated their second studio album, Live Through This
Live Through This
Live Through This is the second studio album by American alternative rock band Hole. It was released by Geffen Records on April 12, 1994, just four days after frontwoman Courtney Love's husband, Kurt Cobain, was found dead in their home....
, (1994) to Joe Cole. Courtney Love
Courtney Love
Courtney Michelle Love is an American rock musician. Love is the lead vocalist, lyricist, and rhythm guitarist for alternative rock band Hole, which she formed in 1989, and is an actress who has moved from bit parts in Alex Cox films to significant and acclaimed roles in The People vs...
's 2006 memoir, Dirty Blonde, also features a page as tribute to Joe Cole.
Joe Cole can be seen in many scenes of Dave Markey
Dave Markey
Dave Markey is an American film director.As a self-taught filmmaker and musician, Markey directed, produced, edited, and photographed most of his films, the majority of which has been self-funded and distributed. His work documents the punk scene in Southern California throughout the 1980s and 1990s...
's movie, 1991: The Year Punk Broke
1991: The Year Punk Broke
1991: The Year Punk Broke is a 1992 documentary directed by Dave Markey featuring American alternative rock band Sonic Youth on tour in Europe in 1991. While Sonic Youth is the focus of the documentary, the film also gives attention to Nirvana, Dinosaur Jr., Babes in Toyland, Gumball and The Ramones...
as well as in some of Dave Markey's short films.
Cole's father was actor Dennis Cole
Dennis Cole
Dennis Cole was an American film and television actor.Before breaking into acting, Cole was a model for men's physique magazines. His first big acting break came when he landed a starring role in the ABC police drama Felony Squad, which ran from 1966 to 1969...
and his mother is the former Sally Bergeron. Dennis Cole was briefly married during Joe's adolescence to Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels is a television series about three women who work for a private investigation agency, and is one of the first shows to showcase women in roles traditionally reserved for men...
actress Jaclyn Smith
Jaclyn Smith
Jacquelyn Ellen "Jaclyn" Smith is an American actress and businesswoman. She is best-known for the role of Kelly Garrett in the television series Charlie's Angels, and was the only original female lead to remain with the series for its complete run...
.