Robert Palmer

Biography

Robert Allen Palmer was born on January 19, 1949, in Batley, Yorkshire, England, though his family moved to Malta shortly after where his father worked in British naval intelligence. Returning to the UK at age 12, he was deeply influenced by blues, soul, and jazz from American Forces Radio and his parents' tastes. At 15, he attended Scarborough School of Art & Design but dropped out after losing coursework, forming his first band, The Mandrakes, which supported acts like The Who and Jimi Hendrix. He joined the Alan Bown Set in 1969 as lead singer, recording their album The Alan Bown!, then moved to London for jazz-rock band Dada, which evolved into Vinegar Joe with Elkie Brooks and Pete Gage, releasing three Island Records albums from 1972-1973.[1][2][3]

Fun Facts

• A cleaner accidentally threw away much of his art school coursework, prompting him to fully pursue music at age 15.
• He performed live with Power Station only once, on Saturday Night Live, then left for solo work while the band continued with Michael Des Barres.
• Palmer moved to the Bahamas, then Switzerland in 1987 due to Nassau's rising crime, setting up his own studio in Lugano.
• His iconic music videos for hits like 'Addicted to Love' and 'Simply Irresistible' were directed by fashion photographer Terence Donovan.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Lowell George - Key influence and producer on early solo work, introducing funk and Little Feat style (Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley (1974)) [1974]

Key Collaborators

• The Meters - Backing band on debut solo album (Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley (1974)) [1974]
• Elkie Brooks - Co-lead vocalist in Vinegar Joe (Vinegar Joe (1972), Rock 'n' Roll Gypsies (1972), Six Star General (1973)) [1970-1974]
• Andy Taylor - Band member in supergroup Power Station (The Power Station (1985), 'Some Like It Hot') [1985]
• John Taylor - Band member in supergroup Power Station (The Power Station (1985), 'Get It On (Bang a Gong)') [1985]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia