Robert Palmer (British singer)

:For the American author and blues producer by the same name, see Robert Palmer (author/producer).

1974-1984: Early solo career

On the basis of his youthful looks, strong stage presence, and soulful voice, Island Records signed Palmer to a solo deal. His first solo album Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley recorded in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1974, was heavily influenced by the music of Little Feat and the funk fusion of The Meters who acted as backing band along with producer/guitarist Lowell George of Little Feat. His first single was a cover of Little Feat's "Sailin' Shoes". Although moderately successful in the UK, both the album and single reached the Top 100 in the US.

Related Topics:
Island Records - Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley - New Orleans, Louisiana - 1974 - Little Feat - The Meters

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Subsequently relocating from London to New York City with his wife, Palmer released Pressure Drop in 1975 (featuring famed Motown bassist James Jamerson). An album infused with his interests in reggae and rock music, it was noted for its cover art of a nude girl on a balcony rather than any commercially successful songs. (The lead single "Give Me An Inch" did win critical plaudits for Palmer's note-perfect delivery and its chord changes, which surprised George during the recording process.)

Related Topics:
London - New York City - Pressure Drop - 1975 - Motown - James Jamerson - Reggae - Rock music

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He toured with Little Feat to promote that album.

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However, with the failure of the follow-up Some People Can Do What They Like, Palmer decided to move to the Bahamas; after that, his "expatriate lifestyle" was likely to receive more coverage than his music in British newspapers.

Related Topics:
Some People Can Do What They Like - Bahamas

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In 1978, he released Double Fun, a collection of Caribbean-influenced rock, which reached the Top 50 on the US Billboard magazine charts and scored a Top 20 single with the Andy Fraser-penned "Every Kinda People". It has become one of Palmer's best-loved songs, covered multiple times by other artists (including Chaka Demus and Pliers, Randy Crawford and Amy Grant) and cited by music fans and spiritual groups for its positive message.

Related Topics:
1978 - Double Fun - Caribbean - Billboard magazine - Andy Fraser - Randy Crawford - Amy Grant

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Palmer's next album was an artistic departure, concentrating on a rockier direction. Secrets produced his second Top 20 single with Moon Martin's "Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)".

Related Topics:
Secrets - Moon Martin

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The 1980s saw Palmer reach the peak of his commercial success. The album Clues, produced by Palmer and featuring Chris Franz and Gary Numan, generated hits on both sides of the Atlantic, first with the radio-friendly single "Johnny and Mary" and then "Looking for Clues". Catchy music videos matching the synth pop stylings of New Wave gave him much needed exposure to a younger audience. The success was repeated with the 1982 EP release of Some Guys Have All the Luck.

Related Topics:
1980s - Clues - Chris Franz - Gary Numan - Atlantic - Music video - Synth pop - New Wave - 1982 - Some Guys Have All the Luck

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The "Johnny and Mary" single would achieve immortality when its classic synth hook was used in a series of Renault TV commercials through the 1990s. Palmer was reputed to have a lucrative deal with the French car manufacturer to use the song's melody in its advertising, Renault having to authorise each new interpretation of the melody with Palmer in every new commercial it released.

Related Topics:
Renault - 1990

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1983 saw Palmer blend techno beats, early sampling and more of the island music of his adopted island into the adventurous album Pride. Though the album wasn't the smash Clues, was, it did feature standout tracks in the title song and Palmer's cover of the System's "You Are In My System" -- with the System's David Frank contributing keyboard tracks to the latter song.

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