Music, Fashion, Culture - Set List

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Solo - Robert Palmer

The transition from one iconic British band to another iconic British band was seamless for two members who made both feel right to fans.  Andy Taylor and John Taylor left Duran Duran when tensions ran deep.  Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, and Roger Taylor remained to form Arcadia and their only album, So Red the Rose.  Andy and John moved forward with former Chic drummer, Tony Thompson, and the one and only Robert Palmer to form the Power Station.  You can take their success from here.

Simon Le Bon defined the role of lead singer for Duran Duran.  His lyrics shaped Duran Duran songs and albums.  His performance on stage reflected what fans wanted to see - the Fab Five doing their thing.

Robert Palmer defined his vocal style for the Power Station.  On his own, though, Robert Palmer defined going solo and his hits are all I know as a fan.

So what do you say, Robert?

January 19, 1949 - September 26, 2003

"Addicted to Love" song & "Addicted to Love" video 
"...epitomize the glamour and excesses of the 1980s..." - Wikipedia

Influenced by blues, soul, and jazz
Genres considered - Rock, Pop, Hard rock, Blues rock

2 ASCAP Pop Music Awards ("Addicted to Love," "Simply Irresistible")
2 Grammy Awards ("Addicted to Love," "Simply Irresistible")
MTV Video Music Award ("Addicted to Love")
2 Brit Award nominations

Solo Career -

Unsuccessful in the UK

2nd Album - Pressure Drop (1975)


4th Album - Double Fun (1978)
"Every Kinda People" - No. 16 on Billboard Hot 100

5th Album - Secrets (1979)
"Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)" - No. 14 on Billboard Hot 100 ... No. 54 on UK Albums Chart ... No. 19 on Billboard 200

6th Album - Clues (1980)
- No. 59 on Billboard Top Pop Albums ... No. 31 in the UK ... No. 1 in Sweden ... No. 3 in France ... No. 15 in the Netherlands ... No. 42 in Italy
- "...one of Robert Palmer's strongest and most consistent albums..." (Donald Guarisco, AllMusic)
- Certified Gold in Canada & Germany

As his success grew, Robert Palmer took to production, working with Jamaican artist Desmond Dekker's 1981 album Compass Point & John Martyn's 1984 album Sapphire.

7th Album - Pride (1983)

In July 1983, Robert Palmer performed at Duran Duran's charity concert at Aston Villa football ground.  Friendships grew and, as it would be, led to the Power Station.

The Power Station released only one album of the same name.  The album reached the Top 20 in the UK and the Top 10 in the U.S.  Two hit singles came from the album - "Some Like It Hot" (No. 6 in the U.S.) & "Get It On (Bang a Gong)" (No. 9 in the U.S.).

The Power Station performed together once on an episode of Saturday Night Live.  The band toured and planned to perform at Live Aid but Palmer backed out at the last moment to focus back on solo work.

Critics' response to Robert Palmer's decision - "unprofessional"

Back to his solo career -

8th Album - Riptide (1985)
- No. 5 on UK Albums Chart ... No. 8 on Billboard 200 

- Notable Singles: "Addicted to Love," "I Didn't Mean to Turn You On," "Hyperactive," "Discipline of Love," & "Riptide"

- Certified Gold in the UK ... Certified 2x Platinum in the U.S. ... Certified 3x Platinum in Canada

9th Album - Heavy Nova (1988)

- No. 13 in the U.S. ... No. 17 in the UK ... No. 15 in the Netherlands

- Hit single - "Simply Irresistible" (No. 1 on Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks)

- Certified Gold in the UK ... Platinum in Canada and the U.S. ... 2x Platinum in Australia

- Second most successful album worldwide with the first being Riptide

10th Album - Don't Explain (1990)

- No. 9 in the UK ... No. 88 on Billboard 200

- Certified Gold in Australia

11th Album - Ridin' High (1992)

12th Album - Honey (1994)

13th Album - Rhythm & Blues (1999)

14th Album - Drive (2003)

Robert Palmer produced a greatest hits album in 1995, reaching No. 4 in the UK.

Robert was a heavy smoker as of his teen years.  He passed away from a heart attack in a Paris hotel room on September 26, 2003.

Robert Palmer was 54 years old at the time of his death.  His music came to an end on a high note - His final album was described by critics as his most heartfelt.

(Wikipedia)

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