Robert Palmer ~ EMI Years and beyond...
This is the conclusion of a three-part posting on Rock music icon Robert Palmer. See previous story for continuing storyline.
Following the enormous success of the “Riptide” album on Island Records, Robert Palmer finally gets his first number 1 record titled “Addicted To Love”(see previous posting). Riding the success of his guitar-driven rock and sleek wardrobe of elegant suits, Palmer’s video becomes MTV’s national anthem. His sexy video, or sexist video - depending upon your viewpoint, featured a dozen mini skirted models performing behind him and created what Palmer suggested was “a jarring effect video.” His follow-up single “I Didn’t Mean To Turn You On” displayed still a different side of his music and peaked at number 2 on Billboard’s chart. Strangely enough, after 14 long years of fractured successes with Island Records, Palmer departs the record label and signs with London based EMI Records. 
Impracticable as it may sound, a very unusual career circumstance developed for myself in 1986. While in the process of EMI Records signing Robert Palmer to a long-term contract, I also joined EMI Records as their Regional Promotion & Marketing Manger for the Northwest. This would mark as the third consecutive record label over a course of two decades in which I would represent Robert Palmer as his promotion & marketing representative. First, there was three Vinegar Joe albums on Atlantic Records in the 70's which I promoted and toured with the band. Next there was the platimum album of "Riptide" in 1985 with Island Records as an independent promoter in which I received an award. And now working again with Robert Palmer at EMI Records as his regional field representative. More about this reunion as the posting continues.
Having paid his dues with Chris Blackwell’s Island Records and seemingly at the apex of his career, Palmer’s eclectic musical journey would reach even further heights upon signing a new label deal. His first release with EMI “Heavy Nova” produced the knockout hit “Simply Irresistible” in which again Palmer was immortalized in a video being surrounded with deadpan models pretending to be his backup band. The Terrence Donovan produced video was undoubtedly the signature event of the times while having portrayed Palmer as the modern day Don Juan. Yet Palmer insisted the video clip was all in a days work and that he knew nothing of the scripting of elegant females prior to taping.EMI was a red hot label at the time with a promotion staff that was
considered very skilled at 'running a record up-the-charts'. Robert Palmer's career background painted a different picture however with him being an artist that had always been considered primarily an album artist. All this was about to change when promotion guru Jack Satter and his EMI marketing team carved-up numerous hit singles that established Palmer in a field that he previously had not dominitaed.
The "Heavy Nova" album produced hit single "Simply Irresistible" and the ever popular video with Palmer and a troupe of lovely females. The single peaked at number 2 on Billboard's chart and earned Palmer his second Grammy Award. His next two singles "She Makes My Day" and "Early In The Morning" both proved to be hits with substanial chart successes. But as the true inovator, Palmer sprinkled-in a few surprises on the "Heavy Nova" album with songs that flavored bossa nova rhythms, beautiful balladeering and romantic lyrics with string arrangements and ofcourse the favorite guitar-oriented rock songs. Robert Palmer's awards kept pouring-in whereas in 1990 Rolling Stone Magazine voted Palmer the best-dressed rock star for that year.
EMI's Phillip Rauls and Robert Palmer pause back stage for a shot in 1990. Palmer's platinum album for "Heavy Nova" was awarded to staff members who participated in the albums success.
"Don't Explain" was Palmers next album and displayed even more of his diverse musical styles including R&B, jazz, rock and music from the islands. Guests on this album included UB40 and featured the Bob Dylan penned "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" that was a Top 10 chart record. Plus, the Marvin Gaye cover song of "Mercy Mercy Me/I Want You" was a bold and respectable offering to a classic song which ultimately continued to link Palmer with his strong female audience. Of all of Robert Palmer's works, two of my absolute favorites comes from this lesser known album being the Otis Redding song "Dreams To Remember" and also a song co-wrote by Palmer and his long time companion Mary Ambrose titled "Aeroplane." Beyond a doubt, "Don't Explain" was truly a great album.
The album "Honey" was just another example of Palmer being ahead of his time with a brilliant album producing one of the greatest pop songs ever composed, "Know By Now." I've read a great deal of critism from outside observers saying Robert Palmers record label EMI dropped the ball on the merchancising of this album. The truth of the matter is, by this time, Palmer's long time manager David Harper and the label had shared some touchy issues regarding his contract renewal. Disagreements that reflected the bottom line. Don't try to read too much into a possible decline of support from the label at that time. Just embelish those great albums released by EMI in the 90's when Palmer's creativity reached frutition.
My association with Robert Palmer remains as my most memorible being that we worked together at three different record labels over a period of three decades. Of course our stint together at EMI was the most rewarding. Chart successes always have a way of leaving a noteworthy trail of recollection. The truth of the matter is, for those three decades, Robert Palmer and I were indeed associates, but we weren't that close. Yet, somehow it seems like everyone in the music business has strong bonds and always remembers each others good vibes. And ours were quite strong. Never mind the fact that Robert Palmer always referred to myself by calling me 'Seattle' instead of my real name. I just remember his pleasant posture towards a grinding schedule of interviews, autographs and endless photographs with everyone including their uncle. On one unforgettable tour through the Northwest, Palmer was performing at The Pier in Seattle when he asked me to drive him to Sea-Tac airport to pick-up his girl friend, Mary Armbrose. I offered to loan him my car when he responded that he didn't know how to drive a automobile. Said that he'd never learned to drive. Hmm. Imagine that. Once we'd made the journey to Sea-Tac Airport to pick-up Mary, those two love birds sat in the back seat of the car and smooched the entire way back to the hotel. Dinner that night was at his favorite Tai Food restaurant on Queen Anne Hill. I sat next to long time drummer and former Memphian Dony Wynn and reminised about living in Soul City. While sitting across the table from Robert Palmer, we struck up a conversation when I asked him "What do you like to do in your spare time?" I thought that prehaps he was a chess player, or maybe even a golfer. He paused for a moment while looking-up from his cup of hot tea and offered, "In my spare time...I love to play music with my friends." At that time the waitress aproached when he ordered a 5-star Tai special. Within minutes after receiving his meal, Palmer's forehead was completely red from the hot pepper spicing when sweat begin dripping down onto his plate. Before dinner was complete, our conversation resumed while I had to ask him one more question that had bugged me forever; "Robert," I said, "What is the story behind the song 'John and Mary?' Palmer smiled and seem amused while replying, "It's about a married couple who have been together for so long, they've lost touch with each other and don't communicate anymore." I asked him in response, "Kinda like John Prime's "Hello In There" or Neil Diamond's "Brooklyn Roads?" But someone at the dinner party grabbed his attention and a response was never given.
Widely regarded as Rock's lone pioneer with the fusion of Reggae, syncopated keyboards and guitars with techno beats, Robert Palmer was clearly ahead of his times. Just three postings of this blog are very difficult to capture his entire body of work. He was that good and deserves much more. Plus, he can be so much better appreciated than the deeply infused video of 'dancing goyals'. As Robert Palmer would say..."Anything but typical". I'm proud to say that I have tons of stories and photographs to support my brief time spent with this great artist. He was one of the few music icons who grew in popurlarity with steady growth over the 70's, 80's and 90's rather than pop-up today and fade-away tomorrow. It's unfortunate that we're talking about the passing of what I'd consider to be a pop star legacy of the magitude of
Sting, Rod Stewart or Phil Collins. Pure class.Palmer's last album is titled "Drive" released in 2003 and was critically hailed as his grittiest album of his career. Don't underestimate this splendid album. It features fifteen blues standards plus my favorite original composition from the album titled, "Lucky." That song alone is worth the entire album and has the capabilities of defining his voyage into the future.
Robert Palmer died of a heart attack in Paris, France in 2003. He was 54 years old. Palmer is buried in Lugano, Switzerland where he had lived for the last 15 years. God rest his soul.
posted by phillip rauls at 5:07 PM
48 Comments:
any kind of treatment of Robert Palmer's life and career is long overdue. I have been continually dismayed by seeing a plethora of books written about artists whose careers you could clock with an egg timer, yet Palmer's distinguished, lengthy, and largely unknown career was not only disregarded in life, but even now, nearly five years after his death. C.
Thank you for sharing this. I just came across your blog searching for Photography and couldn't stop reading this (Robert is one of my favourite artists, even though I was quite young when he was on the scene).
Once again - thank you :)
What became of Mary Ambrose - did she get Palmer's estate straightened out?
I've read and read your Blog for several days and have lost track of time or the day on occasion. Your writing is excellent. I know more about Robert Palmer, certainly one of my favorites, and miss his "Class".
Spent 15 years in Radio beginning in 1967 when AM was King, About half of it on the air then in sales and management. You got some really good laughs out of me and will get more.
I'm greatly appreciative of your Blog and see no end to my reading here. Thanks again.
Last night I was learning Red Red Wine and was looking at and listening to several versions on You Tube. I came across Robert's collaboration with UB40 on Dylan's "I'll be your Baby Tonight." I met Robert Back in 1970 when I was living in West Hampstead in an massive apartment block on West End Lane. I was walking down a side street when a long haired guy,(mine was long too), asked me if I knew where he could get some hash.... I told him I had some and he asked me if he could buy some off me. I said sure and he said his apartment was just down the street. When I walked into the little bed sitter I noticed a bunch of LP's lining the shelves, a reel to reel tape recorder, a guitar, a bass and a mic stand with a microphone. I said, cool, what do you do for a living? He said he was a singer.... It was Robert Palmer. I went one night to hear him with Vinegar Joe and the song I remember him singing was 'Ain't That Peculiar"... boy and could he sing.
He turned me on to so much music... educated me in learning to listen... even lent me his little acoustic Yamaha guitar for a while. I moved to the USA not long after Robert got his solo carreer with Island records.
I play music and its mainly because of Robert's influence on me. I lived in New Orleans for 17 years and eveytime Robert came through town I'd go listen to him... he was always gracious to invite me back stage. The last time I saw him was after the Riptide tour came through and played at the Lakeview arena... I went backstage after the concert and hung out there with Earl King waiting for the 2 young girls in front of us to finish gushing over Robert. One of them said, "Oh Robert my Dad turned me onto you... which I thought was funny. After they left, Earl King walks up to Robert and says "Thanks man..", (for putting Trick Bag on the album), and walks off. Robert looks suprised that Earl didn't stay longer and said, "There goes Mr. Coolbreeze," and laughs good naturedly..... later we went uptown and hung with the Nevilles at Jed's on Oakland Ave... He was always kind to me and gave me positive encouragement as I went through a very hard time in my life. I still play and record music... my studio is here..
www.classicrecordingstudio.com
feel free to email me
Richard
When I hung out with Robert in the early 'Vinegar Joe' days in London... (after I met him I was always going round his place to listen to him about life and music, he was always positive)... One day I walked in his small place... a bed sitter like everyone had in those London days, and he says 'Hey man, listen to this...' and puts the needle down on the vinyl... After a minute or so he asks me, "Who's that singing?" I said, "Its you, isn't it?" And Robert starts laughing and says, "No! Its some cat in America... He must've listened to all the singers I've been influenced by... His name's Lowell George with this great band Little Feat...
www.classicrecordingstudio.com
WOW!! You have some great memories of two of music's most under rated talents.Robert's music brought me out of a coma, in 1984 and I was introduced to him in 1985 and I sang with him, again, at Compass Point, in 1988-he was recording some work for a band called The Comsat Angels. He was an amazing talent and he gave me the inspiration to follow my dreams and become an artist. I am an actor/vocalist and people have said that my style is very similar to Robert, but, as far as I am concerned, there will only ever be ONE Robert Palmer!!
I asked Robert how he came to get a credit on John Martyn's "Sapphire" album and he told me that he thought it was because John Martyn wanted somewhere to have a drink, before he went into the studio and as Robert lived across the street from the studio, he would call at Robert's house, early in the morning, before he went into the studio. I have a few of John Martyn's albums in my collection and am inclined to agree with Robert, that John Martyn found it hard to function without a drink or some dope. It may have been this that led to his untimely death.Although it was never released about Robert's cause of death, some suspect that it was cocaine, but others cite his long-term use of tobacco for bringing about his demise. As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter what killed him. Let us just be thankful for an artist who was able to bring so much pleasure to so many people. R.I.P. Robert.
Hi,
Robert's brother Mark here. You have some good memories of Robert that I enjoyed reading about. Just a note though,he is not buried in Lugano!
Re Sapphire Robert stepped in to help John get the Sapphire LP finished. There is also some old footage of Robert at Compass Point doing backing vocals on Fishermans Dream but I have never been able to discern if Robert's vocal made the album (even though my wife Julie is both a huge John Martyn & Robert fan along with Jeff Buckley ) - RIP them all
My all-time favorite videos are two of Roberts (Addicted to Love and Simply Irresistible). When I am feeling up for a bit of nostalgia from days past I find them on the internet and marvel at his ability. Thank you Robert!
I really want you to consider writing his biography. Also I would like to know what happened to Mary Ambrose.
Hi there. This was a real interesting read. I know Robert was a private person and him and his family are entitled to that, but apart from his amazing voice and talent,I was curious to know what became of Mary Ambrose. The only footage I could find was on a french tv programme in 1995, where she is doing backing vocals on Addicted to Love. She is very beautiful, and it sounds like she has had a tough time. My thoughts are with his children though. Losing your dad that young must be awful. I don't think Robert knew how much people loved him and his music. During the nineties and the whole Brit pop thing,people lost sight of what a great song is. Know by now is my favourite song ever.No m,atter how much time passes,Robert Plamer should forever be remembered as one of the greatest singers and performers of our time.
Early fond memories of Robert ( Allen) as we knew him.He was singer with the Mandrakes from Scarborough and I fronted a band from York.we used to try and outdo each other by getting hold of the American imported soul records first.Last played with him when he had joined the Alan Bown set.Very proud to have known him.R.I.P.
Hi, how are you. Your article was excellent. It was informative and entertaining. I wanted you to know though, that Mary Ambrose was not Robert Palmer's longtime companion. She met him in 1995 through a mutual friend named Terry Porterman who lived in Coronado, California. In the 70's Robert had a beach house in Coronado and that is how he met him. FYI, Robert maintanied a residence in Del Mar, California since the 80's and was in San Diego at least three to four months of the year most years. Mary was eighteen years old at the time. Mary's birthday was June 9, 1977. Mary was very interested in Robert but Robert was married to Susan Thatcher untill 1999. She was not his back-up singer in 1995 as one blogger pointed out, she was a high school student at Coronado High School, involved in the school orchestra an chorus. Her father was Mike Ambrose, a local celebriy. He was a weatherman and anchor man for Channel 10 News in San Diego. I was friends strangely with both Mike Ambrose and Robert Palmer. I worked in the same building as Mr. Ambrose. He was a terrific person and we had many a lunch date. Sadly, he died in Septemer of 2008 at the age of 69. I don't doubt that Mary helped put him in his grave. He told me she was nothing but trouble since the time of her birth. He told me while especially frustrated with her on one occasion that "had he known how she was going to turn out, he would have made sure she was never born!" Another rumor that went floating around was that Mary was the model on the cover of 1994's "Honey." That was not true. Mary was a sixteen year old high school student with a reporter father. I suspect he would have know if his daughter was posing on album covers. Robert hired Mary as his housekeeper and part time personal assistant in late 2000. She had previously worked for a couple he knew as their Au Pair and assistant from 1996 to 1999. After Susan Thatcher divoreced Robert in 1999, Robert asked two of his girlfriends to move in with him. Both declined as both had very busy lives, and Robert was demanding to say the least. That was when he asked Mary to move in as his housekeeper/personal assistant. Mary was thrilled. She thought it meant that she was going to be his live-in girlfriend. This did not turn out to be the case. The relationship did become physical, but she was never regarded as his girlfriend. He had two of those already. During the course of her employ with Robert, Mary had two sons. Both were from friends of Robert's that Mary was dating. One was from Robert's manager, Mick Carter. That caused quite a scandal. In the end, Carter had to tell Mary that he was not going to divorce his wife. Robert later heard that Mary was telling people that the children were his. He firmly lectured her to stop this nonsense, or she would soon have no job, no money, and no place to live. Mary was never taken seriously. By 2003 Robert had become serious over a long time girlfriend by the name of Geraldine Edwards. He was friends with her since the 70's and they went back a long ways. He announced her name on Access Hollywood, and she was surprised. Mary was furious when this happened. She had convinced herself that she was his girlfriend instead of employee with benfits. She was in Paris at the time that Robert died. A friend of hers who knew Robert told Mary where Robert was staying. She also gave Mary the money to fly out to Paris. Mary only earned a regular salary. She was not a jet setter. Robert was livid when he saw Mary at the door of his suite surrounded by all of her luggage. He asked her what she was doing there. She started screaming at him "I am your woman! I won't allow it! I won't allow it!" and rushed into the room. She was insisting that he break it off with Geraldine and marry her. He could not believe how insane she had gone.
I was Robert's road manager from 1976 to 1985. Your site is great. Robert never forgot his friends and always stayed in contact with me. I was saddened to hear of his death and my heart went out to Geraldine Edwards, his longtime girlfriend. I noticed that you mentioned Mary Ambrose as Robert's girlfriend. She was someone that he did date but she was definintley not his girlfriend. She was in fact his employee. She was both his housekeeper and his personal assistant. Anyway, thanks for the article. I enjoyed it.
I was a friend of Robert Palmer's and I have to say that your article was really good. Robert was an excellent songwriter and wrote many songs over the years, but he told me that he felt that his best song was "Can we still be friends?". He said that he never felt he had a right to record the song after he heard Todd Rundgren's version with Utopia. The song he absolutley hated was "You overwhelm me." He did not want to record that song, and when it was released in 1975, he was not happy, but there was nothing he could do about it. He refused to sing it in concert. I was happy to see Geraldine Edwards name mentioned on your site. She was Robert's longtime girlfriend and he loved her very much. Thanks for a conscientious and well written article.
I'm confused. Why was Robert Palmer proclaiming his love and devotion to Mary Ambrose in a 2003 interview if Geraldine Edwards was his "girlfriend." I remember the Ambrose sisters from a California restaurant my dad and I use to go to. One day she was gone and they said she went to live with Robert Palmer in Switzerland. We weren't surprised. I remember Mary being very beautiful and the photo from the album cover looks very much like her. I think "anonymous" should stay just that and do some fact checking before posting "stories."
Yes, I can see why you are confused about Robert Palmer's girlfriend. Let me say this; Some of the comments that are posted on my blog from anonymous sources are erroneous and all over the road. First, I toured the Northwest several times with Robert Palmer in the early 90's and his girlfriend during that period was definitely Mary Ambrose. However, I am aware that within that period he was married and living in Switzerland with two children. During Robert Palmers's Northwest performances and while he was onstage, on occasion Mary and I would hang-out backstage together. After the concerts we as a group would often have dinner & drinks together. Believe me, there was no doubt, the two of them were definitely love birds. Also, during that time Mary would accompany Robert Palmer to the radio stations and various media interviews which I have numerous photographs from those occasions. I noticed that a comment mentioned that Palmer met Mary in 1995 as she was just out of high school. Let it be known, my documented time experience with Palmer and supportive photograhs of him and Mary Ambrose prove that person's comments false. Plus, listed from the same source was a comment about his manager during that time. That information was also incorrect. PR
Thanks for the clarification. I'm a film and photography student in Chicago Il. There is a fact checking and investigative writing exercise given in a class that I am taking. We were given a list of names and I chose Robert Palmer because my father liked his music. Researching him...it's been interesting;he's fascinating. My intention was to find out more about his music, but each week people in class have become more interested in his and your personal life! So, we read you archives in class. Can't wait for the book. Oh yea, you should consider separating the Emerson Lake & Palmer and Robert Palmer Music Videos site links, you're confusing the younger people in class:)
I love Robert Palmer's music and I think he was gorgeous! However, it seems when it came to women,he didn't give a rip about any of them! I read all this stuff about people splitting hairs about girls being employees, girlfriends or lovers! Give me a break! He was having sex with all of them, dating them, etc. As far as Mary Ambrose, I read interviews where Robert stated he was obsessed with her before and after they started living together! Mary was living with him, having sex with him, waiting on him hand and foot and receiving a %5,000 a month allowance! I know women who do less for their husbands! If mary did not meet the definition of a girlfriend, then I must be ignorant of what girlfriend means! Help me out on this one folks!
I am confused. I just read that Mike Ambrose, the San Diego weatherman who died in 2008, was never married or had children. A previous blogger told a big story about how He was Mary Ambrose's father. Why do people have to make up stories?
Many of us would really like to see some pictures of Mary Ambrose, as there are none to be found! Any way you could post some? was she really as beautiful as everybody says? thanks!
many of us would love to see some pictures of mary ambrose, as there are none to be found! any way you could post some? was she really as beautiful as everyone says? thanks!I will be looking forward to those pictures!
Hello. I enjoy your site and was impressed with information that you contributed to books on the History of Music. I was also a fan of the Gentry's so that tells you I am a little bit older. I noticed a blogger mentions that Mike Ambrose was not Mary Ambrose's father and cites an article stating that Mike Ambrose was never married. I happen to be from San Diego and I remember Mike Ambrose quite well. He was quite married and had a daughter named Mary, no question. I scanned the internet and no article appears saying that he was never married. The information that blogger provided you was false. I laughed a little when I saw that one because Mary Ambrose so happened to be good friends with none other than David Copley, the sole owner of the San Diego Union Tribune. They dated on and off. The Trib was sold to Premium Platinum in 2009 for Eight Million dollars. I was curious as to why another blogger said there were no pictures to be found of Mary Ambrose. I simply went to Yahoo and found a picture of Mary Ambrose. It was easy. Three of the pictures being identified as Mary in the line up of pictures were not her but one was. It is the head shot. More than once photos were taken for local San Diego publications of Mary and her dad who was, after all, locally famous and I recognized her. There is also a group shot in the Official Website of Robert Palmer with Mary Ambrose included in the photo. Once again thanks for putting this site up, I enjoyed it.
Thanks for the cool site. I always enjoyed Palmer's music and considered him a unique showman. I noticed too that you mention that you live in Seattle. I was lucky enough to be able to live on San Juan Island for five years, one of the most beautiful places on earth. I'm sure you've probably had an opportunity to visit there since you are from Seattle. Are you still planning on writing your book giving good old Ann Lebowitz a run for her money? I don't doubt that you could. If you do I will definitely buy it. To paraphrase the great Bob Singer "I still love that old time rock and roll."
Thanks for the piece on Robert Palmer. I enjoy your writing style and it is clear that you are all pro, especially in the part where you ask about the inspiration for "Johnny and Mary." That song always confused me a little bit but your comment shed some light on the subject. Some constructive criticism though. The part where you talk about picking up Mary Ambrose at Sea Tac was not needed. Palmer was a married man at the time and you include yourself in a negative situation. I suspect you are a gentleman and would not like people thinking of you that way. Please try to keep in mind that that comment makes Palmer look bad and it is offensive to Susan Palmer who was married to him at the time. Otherwise, the piece was aces. Thank you, thank you for your beautiful piece on Japan. It was outstanding.
This is a very good remembrance of Robert Palmer. Thanks for the mention of Dony Wynn, he is quite the drummer. He has also done some really good work with Brooks and Dunn. I have to agree with Lila about the Mary Ambrose comments. In this ladies opinion those comments can be left out. They sully this otherwise fine remembrance in general. Susan Palmer was and is a fine person and deserves more respect than shown here. Thanks for approaching your writing of this article from a different angle. It is one of a kind. Your writing style is smooth and when one is reading your work they fell as if they are hearing from a friend. Thanks for taking the time to do this. I always was a dyed in the wool Robert Palmer fan so it is appreciated. Keep up the good work.
Your on the road adventures with Robert Palmer sound fun. You could be the new musical Jack Keroack. Hearing about touring musicians is always interesting. They are a breed apart as are their contemporaries, of which you were one. I liked Robert Palmer's style and a lot of his songs, but I thought his music should have matured as he got older, but sadly it did not. But it was always obvious that he loved being on the scene, especially when he was on stage. You always got value for your dollar with one of his live performances. I suppose that is what I remember him for the most, his stage performances. Robert Palmer and the stage suited one another. I am in agreement with a couple of people who wrote in about the Mary Ambrose aspect of your article. I'm sure you realize in hingsight that it was not such a good idea to include that embarrasing personal information, in particular regarding current information about the woman. But it is obvious to me that that this article was heartfelt, and for that reason I have both enjoyed and respected it. Although Robert Palmer has passed there is no doubt that he never had a dull moment in his life. The man knew how to live. God rest his soul.
I was a fan of Robert Palmer and thought I had a pretty good idea of his personal history. I was always under the impression that he had been married once to Sue and that he had two children, Jane and James with her. But in wikipedia, it states that he was married before to a woman named Shelley and had 3 children with her. I had never read that before. What is the real story?
In response to Naveron's comment, here is the answer. Robert Palmer was married to Shelly Putnam in 1972, after living with her for one year. They did have three children together, born in 1972, 1973, and 1976. I know this is true because I knew Shelly. She was a lovely woman. She and Robert divorced in 1978. The reason that I met Shelly was because I played guitar for Robert Palmer in the mid-seventies. I worked on Sneaking Sally through the Alley and Pressure Drop with Robert. Robert and I were friendly at the time. Robert married Susan in 1978, and they had James and Jane together. The reason that Robert's first wife was not mentioned in articles was simply because his manager failed to report the correct information to the press upon Robert's death. Those that knew Robert Palmer in the seventies remember Shelly quite well. I hope this information has helped you out.
This is a response to Naveron. Robert Palmer was definintely married to Shelly Putnam in the seventies, and they did have three children together, two sons and one daughter. Myself and many others remember Shelly, who was British and a former model, included in his interviews in the early seventies. Quite often, in Robert Palmer's interviews, a family picture was included, and for good reason. The entire family was completly gorgeous, each and every one of them. A lot of people wondered why this wonderful woman and her children were not written about when Robert Palmer died, but it just boils down to a poor exchange of information between Robert Palmer's manager and the press. Rest assured that many people of a certain age still remember Shelly and her fabulous children.
Thank you to Cornell and Deirdre for that insight. I wasn't aware of Robert Palmer during that time so completely missed out on that important part of his life.
I can see how some can be upset with all these new (to the public) and not so favorably personal things being written about Palmer but if it is the truth it should be known. We do not need to live with myths and glorify our celebrities. Anyway, as far as Mary Ambrose is concerned I can see why someone would write an unfavorable diatribe about her. My personal dealings with her were not pleasant. Beauty is something that resides in a person's personality, heart and mind. She had the classic blonde hair type of looks that people consider attractive that doesn't mean she is a beautiful person. She was shorter than him and overweight which has been mentioned in several interviews and a quality that Robert said he loved on many occasions. Anyway she was definitely his girlfriend in the public as I have seen more articles and pictures of her (though rare) and have not seen any of anybody else including Sue Palmer and I never knew of Shelly and 3 other kids and Geraldine (that man got around sheesh!) The 2 of them didn't keep the relationship private they did quite a few interviews about each other. Sept. 28th 2003 The Mail on Sunday reported that she was 16 years younger than Robert which would put her age at 38 at the time of his death. She mentions always being obsessed with Palmer even before meeting him, she mentions being from Ohio and being a waitress when she met him but pursuing a career in music. She comes across in the article as being determined to get whatever she wants/spoiled but that could just be the writers spin on things. The article is called Robert Palmer was addicted to my love and there is a big picture of her (looking quite 38) almost taking up the whole page. She was his back up singer on some of his later albums, and co-wrote with him. She sings on the song True Love. Don't think she ever sang onstage with him. But there is a french show on youtube where the host is making Palmer a bloody mary (lol) and he has a blonde back up singer that looks like Ambrose but is not her (too tall and thin) http://youtu.be/kpxt4cTDPlo (that french tv host is also in a youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haaBbyW3wts&feature=related , pawing all over a little boy) I do believe Robert himself said she was on Honey with him. She is wearing fake lashes and a tan, so she looks a lil' different.
Why did Robert or his bio ever make mention of his alleged 3 other children during the height of his fame? He only ever acknowledge 2 children with Sue. I doubt the truth of his death was reported either. The reports said she panicked called the wrong numbers and stuff and this caused delay in getting him medical attention. I do not know if the French have a 911 type of system. Interesting that he is not buried in Lugano.Some reports say he was cremated, some say buried in Lugano.... all this is neither here nor there since folks like to be private not too many in the public eye get to retain privacy seems almost ridiculous to try.
There is a video of Robert Palmer driving up to a studio in a white BMW spider convertible exiting the drivers seat (on the left so he must of been in the us) taken around the time of the drive (no pun intended) album.
Robert saying Mary ambrose is on the cover of Honey... saying his marriage to Sue broke up prior to 1999 (I remember 1988) and date of article is Oct 27th 1994 says Mary is 29. (there might be another Mary Ambrose younger than this one who has a father who is a weatherman being confused for this one)This same poster is all over the web saying Mary Ambrose died in 2005. (where is the proof?)
oops forgot the link to above mentioned interview http://www.octopusmediaink.com/RobertPalmer.html
Robert Palmer was pure class.
Smooth, Suave and Sexy.
Cool, Calm and Collected.
He was the Steve McQueen of Music.
Thank you "Anonymous" for your observation and imput. I'm inclined to agree with portions of your acclamations. Plus, I am honored to have Mr. Cornell Dupree grace us with his definitive comments. It has been my personal experience as a former record executive to write of these matters in an archivist sense, not in the perspective of fanfair. When I toured with Vinegar Joe in the early 70's, Palmer was married and accompained by a woman on the Southern portion of the tour while being introduced as his wife. We attended a party at the noted "3744 James Road" location which is mentioned in Part #1 of my 3-Part blog posting. I am assuming this is Wife #1 mentioned in this thread. In the early 90's and by this time, there was Mary Armbrose in the picture while at the time Robert Palmer was married as I personally mailed Xmas gifts to Switzerland that he had purchased for family members. Ask Road Manager Richard Cole, he was with me. If you have followed some of these comments, you'll know there was apparently more than one woman who passed through his life during his illustrious career. Does that surprise you? Now, I don't condone OR agree to this. People will be people and I write what I see. Read what Palmer told me when I asked him the meaning of his song, "John and Mary." Does that tell you anything about his perspective? After all, when you stop and think about it, one of Robert Palmer's most popular songs was..."Addicted To Love." Personally, I thought Robert Palmer was a very fine and distinguished man. I don't pass judgement on his personal life. "It Takes Every Kind of People"...
Phillip Rauls
My mistake. Robert Palmer's road manager was not Richard Cole. Wrong band - Wrong era. Sorry about that. But his name will come to me eventually. I promise. PR
Finally someone putting some light on RP's real life - why this huge cover-up or plain lies I do not understand. Having stated that let me make clear I strongly believe RP had an array of various women - just look at him! However, what I do not understand is/was the treatment of Mary Ambrose after his death via RP's family. There is a wonderful site dedicated to RP by a man named Oliver and many articles/interviews can be found there and YES he professes he love for Mary in many of them. Were those articles some kind of publicity stunt, lies or the truth it's obvious we'll never know. RP still has a huge fan base and YES there are still many who just want to know the truth - no one I believe expects perfection as we're all human. Great article and interesting comments!!
"The only thing I believe in are birth & death and in between you get on with it." Robert Palmer (some of his fans should do just that).
Thank you Remlap a fonos. I concur wholeheartedly with you when you said you believe in life and death, but you forgot one thing. Taxes! Life can and should be good so you are right on when you say 'get on with it.' You never know in this world, any day could be your last. One thing helps the getting on with part go a lot smoother, music, from talented musicians like Robert Palmer and many others. It always helps to have a little back-up music along the way.
Sorry RAP, I reread your comment and realized you were quoting Robert Palmer. Still, even if my comment is slightly out of context I still believe in it's words. I suspect you might on some level be in agreement with Robert Palmer on that score, too. P.S. Phil, would you consider at some time doing a piece on Ray Charles for your home page? As a musician, the man was a king! Something for you to take under advisement. Thanks.
To remlap a fonos Se strata grande. The quote was a bit minimalist, but it will do. To anonymous who is a fan of Oliver's, ponder this Buddhist teaching: "Of all the perils on the road to truth, the truth itself could actually prove the greatest peril of all." And to Mr. Rauls, perhaps your Auto de Fe regarding a certain issue gave you occasion for pause? Just a few thoughts. Or, perhaps all of you are right. Or perhaps not. Is it possible that the old latin saw "Veritas vos liberabit" may have some truth to it, no pun intended? Live and learn.
I knew two of the musicians who toured with RP in 1991 and I remember meeting Mary. Lovely girl, very sweet. I was told that while RP was still legally married at the time, his union with his wife was disintegrating. I remember RP and Mary being true 'love birds'. I was shocked to hear about RP's death but if I remember right, he was a bit partial to the ol' white powder (as 90% of people in the music business, no less). I would like to know what Mary is doing these days. She seemed to be a lovely girl.
How interesting Miss Pee. A couple of musicians on the 91 tour, huh? White Powder? O.K. Whatever. You know, I kind of feel sorry for Mr. Rauls comments editor to be but in this positon and for Mr. Rauls, too, because he does seem like a nice guy. I don't like to lecture, but you know it is not nice to go fishing the way you did, especially on Mr. Rauls site for a fish with he initials MA. That's using someone, you know. But if you are truly curious, here are some clues to get your search started: Prop. 36, Donovan, and stripes. But it might be better for you to heed the classic words of the old Broadway song "You say tomato, I say tomato, Lets call the whole thing off!" It would really be for the best.
It states, in this blog, that Robert Palmer is buried in Lugano, but I have, subsequently, read, that he is buried in London. I would like to pay my last respects and would hate to go to Lugano if he is, in fact, interred in London. Can anyone clarify where Robert's final resting place is, please?
In response to honeybee: According to James Palmer, Jane Palmer, Anna Palmer and Robert Palmer's parents, Robert Palmer is buried at a private cemetery located in London, England. The initial report made by Robert Palmer's former manager to the Associated Press that Palmer was to be buried in Lugano, Switzerland, was not correct. The press then carried the error. Although it is kind of you to want to pay your respects to the late Robert Palmer, the location of his grave is specifically kept private in deference to Palmer's relations and close friends. Although the Palmer family appreciates and respects that the public would like to pay their respects to Robert Palmer's gravesite, it is their preference that the site remain non-disclosed. I hope this has helped you.
Two years ago, when I was planning a trip to Switzerland, I was interested in visting Lugano, and RP's gravesite. At that time, I posted an inquiry whether it was possible. A response from his brother I believe, did not disavow this error, but only said, the gravesite was private. Although I still went to Lugano, I am very glad I did not waste time visiting the cemetery to see if I could find it. I am very glad that I went to Lugano because it is a gorgeous city and I can see why RP loved it.
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