Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Nostalgia Central
    • Home
    • Blog
      • Lists
      • Playlists
    • Television
      • TV by Decade
        • TV – 1950s
        • TV – 1960s
        • TV – 1970s
        • TV – 1980s
        • TV – 1990s
      • Comedy
      • Drama
      • Kids TV
      • Variety
      • News & Sport
      • Advertisements
    • Music
      • Music by Decade
        • Music – 1950s
        • Music – 1960s
        • Music – 1970s
        • Music – 1980s
        • Music – 1990s
      • Artists – A to K
        • Artists – A
        • Artists – B
        • Artists – C
        • Artists – D
        • Artists – E
        • Artists – F
        • Artists – G
        • Artists – H
        • Artists – I
        • Artists – J
        • Artists – K
      • Artists – L to Z
        • Artists – L
        • Artists – M
        • Artists – N
        • Artists – O
        • Artists – P
        • Artists – Q
        • Artists – R
        • Artists – S
        • Artists – T
        • Artists – U
        • Artists – V
        • Artists – W
        • Artists – X
        • Artists – Y
        • Artists – Z
      • Artists – 0 to 9
      • Genres
      • Music on Film & TV
      • One-Hit Wonders
      • Online Radio
    • Movies
      • Movies by Decade
        • Movies – 1950s
        • Movies – 1960s
        • Movies – 1970s
        • Movies – 1980s
        • Movies – 1990s
      • Movies – 0 to 9
      • Movies – A to K
        • Movies – A
        • Movies – B
        • Movies – C
        • Movies – D
        • Movies – E
        • Movies – F
        • Movies – G
        • Movies – H
        • Movies – I
        • Movies – J
        • Movies – K
      • Movies – L to Z
        • Movies – L
        • Movies – M
        • Movies – N
        • Movies – O
        • Movies – P
        • Movies – Q
        • Movies – R
        • Movies – S
        • Movies – T
        • Movies – U
        • Movies – V
        • Movies – W
        • Movies – X
        • Movies – Y
        • Movies – Z
    • Pop Culture
      • Fads
      • Toys & Games
      • Fashion
      • Decor
      • Food & Drink
      • People
      • Technology
      • Transport
    • Social History
      • 1950s Year by Year
      • 1960s Year by Year
      • 1970s Year by Year
      • 1980s Year by Year
      • 1990s Year by Year
      • Events
    Nostalgia Central
    Home»Music»Artists - L to Z»Artists - R
    Artists - R Music - 1970s Music - 1980s 3 Mins Read

    Robert Palmer

    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email

    Robert Palmer was born in Batley, Yorkshire in 1949 but spent his childhood on a Naval base in Malta, where he listened to the records requested by American servicemen on Forces Radio.

    After such early exposure to Billie Holiday and Nat King Cole, when the family returned to England in the late 50s, Cliff and The Shadows held no attraction.

    But the arrival of Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye and Wilson Pickett in the 60s revived his musical interest.

    Palmer joined The Alan Bown Set at the age of 19, moving on to jazz-rockers Dada and, finally, Vinegar Joe, with whom he recorded three albums of blues-rock notable for his powerful vocal duets with Elkie Brooks. But when record sales failed to match their live popularity, both singers embarked on solo careers.

    He signed to Island in 1974, commencing a series of solo albums which fused R&B with blue-eyed soul. His superb debut, Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley, was released in 1974, and he probably never bettered it.

    Recorded in New Orleans with The Meters and Lowell George, it was a record that put him up there with Stevie Winwood as an authentic articulator of white R&B.

    The follow-up, 1975’s Pressure Drop, added the reggae of the Toots-written title track to the white-hot soul that found him backed by Little Feat, while Barry White‘s arranger, Gene Page, added glorious strings to tracks such as Give Me An Inch.

    Further albums Some People Can Do What They Like and Double Fun followed in a similar vein. Success was a long time coming, but in 1979 he finally cracked it with Bad Case Of Loving You. Then came the 1980s – a decade that unnerved Palmer as it did so many of his vintage. To his irritation, he became as famous for his suits and matinee idol image as his music.

    His biggest selling album, Riptide (1985), was propelled by the single Addicted To Love and its Terence Donovan-directed video which depicted Palmer as a suave lady killer surrounded by a band of scantily-clad models.

    robertpalmer_788

    Into the 90s Palmer recorded a decent cover of Dylan‘s I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight, made an album of big band standards long before Rod Stewart and Robbie Williams stole the idea, and released Drive, a tribute to the blues music that originally inspired him.

    Palmer’s innate sense of style could never disguise the fact that he possessed one of the finest soul voices, deployed to brilliant effect early in his solo career when he recorded some of the most joyously rhythmic white funk any British artists ever produced.

    Given his disastrous diversions into ‘world music’ and Power Station (formed with Duran Duran‘s John and Andy Taylor and Chic drummer Tony Thompson), the world needs reminding that Palmer had a terrific white soul voice and made some splendid singles.

    His ultimate demise (he suffered a heart attack in Paris on 26 September 2003) robbed the world of a golden-voiced, work-shy fop.

    Video

    Related Posts

    • Triffids, The
      Triffids, The
      The Triffids were the great contenders of 1980s Australian Rock. After the mid-1980s (by which time the band had set…
    • Al Green
      Al Green
      If Otis Redding dominated 60s soul, Al Green bestrode the 70's thanks to a voice that glided and levitated, spiralling into a…
    • Vinegar Joe
      Vinegar Joe
      Vinegar Joe formed in late 1971 out of the ashes of jazz-fusion combo Dada, who had released a single album…
    • Atlantic Records
      Atlantic Records
      Atlantic Records has introduced the world to some of the most influential musicians this planet has ever produced; Jazz icons…
    • Steely Dan
      Steely Dan
      In 1973, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker fused 50's Latin jazz, cool bop and faux LA rock, and Steely Dan (named…
    • Power Station
      Power Station
      Feeling Duran Duran was becoming "a machine" the group agreed to take a year's break in 1985. Members John (bass) and Andy…
    • Rufus Thomas
      Rufus Thomas
      Born on 26 March 1917 in Cayce, Mississippi, Rufus Thomas first hit the stage as a dancer and comedian with…
    • Colosseum
      Colosseum
      One of the first bands to fuse jazz, rock & blues, Colosseum was formed in Spring 1968 by drummer Jon…

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleRobert Cray
    Next Article Robin Trower

    Comments are closed.

    Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    You May Also Like
    • Captain Caveman & the Teen Angels
      1 9 7 7 – 1 9 8 0 (USA) The world’s first caveman […]
    • Warship
      1 9 7 3 – 1 9 7 8 (UK) 45 x 50 minute episodes This BBC […]
    • Swiss Family Robinson
      1 9 7 4 (Canada) 26 x 30 minute episodes The Swiss Family […]
    • Cape Fear (1962)
      A grim thriller about Max Cady, an ex-convict who seeks revenge […]
    • Hit Man and Her, The
      1 9 8 8 – 1 9 9 2 (UK) This dance music programme from […]
    • Jazz Singer, The (1980)
      Neil Diamond made his ‘acting’ debut as […]
    Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

    OUR LATEST FACEBOOK POSTS

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64442824 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Television frontman Tom Verlaine dies at 73

    www.bbc.co.uk

    His band rose to fame in the 1970s New York punk scene, scoring UK hits including Marquee Moon.
    11 hours ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 0
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64418847 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Mr Blobby costume sells for more than £62,000 on eBay

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The character, made famous by BBC show Noel's House Party, had been in storage since the 1990s.
    1 day ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 0
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    Put some beefiness into your mid-week menu with these recipe ideas published in a Birds Eye advertisement from the Radio Times on 30 September 1965.

    Put some "beefiness into your mid-week menu" with these recipe ideas published in a Birds Eye advertisement from the "Radio Times" on 30 September 1965. ... See MoreSee Less

    1 week ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 3
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    They were awful. An overpowering savoury flavour that lingered in your mouth for hours. Heaven knows what unmentionable parts of a bull went into making them 😳

    More sad news 😪

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    US rock legend David Crosby dies aged 81

    www.bbc.co.uk

    Crosby, who co-founded both the Byrds and Crosby, Stills and Nash, had been ill for some time.
    1 week ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 0
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    This is what they promised us when I was a kid. What happened? 

All I have is 700 channels of rubbish on the TV in High Def, TikTok, Facebook and a phone I can take photographs with . . .

    This is what they promised us when I was a kid. What happened?

    All I have is 700 channels of rubbish on the TV in High Def, TikTok, Facebook and a phone I can take photographs with . . .
    ... See MoreSee Less

    1 week ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 54
    • Shares: 22
    • Comments: 7

    Comment on Facebook

    I thought we would have moving pavements by now when I was a kid 😂

    Totally agree!!!

    The new Tesla, 4.6 next century.

    We got transvestite story hour instead

    We appear to be going backwards

    There's actually a very good David Graeber essay on this very topic: thebaffler.com/salvos/of-flying-cars-and-the-declining-rate-of-profit

    The Jetsons strike again.

    View more comments

    Renowned Australian singer Renee Geyer is dead at 69 following complications from hip surgery. Such a fabulous voice. RIP😢

https://nostalgiacentral.com/music/artists-l-to-z/artists-r/renee-geyer/

    Renowned Australian singer Renee Geyer is dead at 69 following complications from hip surgery. Such a fabulous voice. RIP😢

    nostalgiacentral.com/music/artists-l-to-z/artists-r/renee-geyer/
    ... See MoreSee Less

    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 0
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    That is so sad to hear 😥 rest in peace 🙏 🕊 xx

    Gina Lollobrigida: Italian screen star dies at 95
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64292026

    Gina Lollobrigida: Italian screen star dies at 95
    www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64292026
    ... See MoreSee Less

    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 4
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    😍😍😍😍

    Vale Jeff Beck. Dead at 78. 😢

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Jeff Beck: British guitar legend dies aged 78

    www.bbc.co.uk

    One of rock's most influential guitarists, he was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.
    3 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 1
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    Hi everyone. Were in the process of moving www.nostalgiacentral.com to new dedicated servers to better cope with the volumes of traffic. Please ignore any SSL security errors you may receive when visiting the site over the next 24 hours while the move completes.

    Hi everyone. We're in the process of moving www.nostalgiacentral.com to new dedicated servers to better cope with the volumes of traffic. Please ignore any SSL security errors you may receive when visiting the site over the next 24 hours while the move completes. ... See MoreSee Less

    3 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 5
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 2

    Comment on Facebook

    Ironically, this post has jumped off the page at me. You'll probably get most traffic today because everyone will want to see what they might be missing!

    Martin Platt

    RIP Fred White, drummer with Earth, Wind and Fire, who has died aged 67. 😢

    RIP Fred White, drummer with Earth, Wind and Fire, who has died aged 67. 😢 ... See MoreSee Less

    4 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 4
    • Shares: 2
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    Great band

    Load more
    Please note


    Nostalgia Central covers the period 1950 to 1999 and contains some words and references which reflect the attitudes of those times and which may be considered culturally sensitive, offensive or inappropriate today.
    Popular Tags
    1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1976 Action Figures Amicus Arcade games Australia Beach movies Beatles Blaxploitation Board games Britpop Canada Crime Disney Doo-Wop Elvis Presley Girl groups Glam Goth Hammer Heavy Metal Irwin Allen Labels Merseybeat Mod revival Motown New Romantic New Wave NWOBHM Oi! One-hit wonders Power Pop Pub rock Punk Radio Scotland Ska Soul music Sport Surf music
    Search Nostalgia Central
    Copyright © 1998, 2023 Nostalgia Central
    • About Nostalgia Central
    • Contact
    • FAQ

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.