This is an interesting one. I think the "perception" of Palmer is built entirely around his mid to late 80s chart hits and MTV Videos. There was so much more to his music and contributions.

Palmer was a trailblazer in introducing African & Carribean music into rock. Long before Paul Simon's Graceland LP Palmer had already released excellent world music songs such as "Pride" & "Woke Up Laughing". Palmer was on the cutting edge technology wise with the use of computer generated instrument sounds with early 80s albums such Looking For Clues & Pride, long before they became the industry norm. He wrote, and often produced and arranged songs in a mind blowing array of styles, from his constant loves of Calypso and African Ju-Ju music to Reggae, heavy metal, new wave, and lushly orchestrated romantic ballads. He worked with a dizzying array of vastly different but well known musicians including guitar greats like Stevie Stevens & Nuno Bettencourt, Chic's producer and bass man Bernard Edwards, Duran Duran members John & Andy Taylor, Little Feat & The Meters, jazz producer Teo Macero, Allan Touissaint, and even UB40!

His choice in cover music was as eclectic and wide ranging as the material he composed himself, everyone from Toots & Matyls, Motorhead, Andy Frasier, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, & Frank Sinatra and Bille Holiday!!! Amazingly, he did just about all of it very well.

He also scored Top 20 Hits Singles on the US Charts in three different decades which is a rare feat. He is a two time Grammy Winner and was at the forefront of the MTV Video explosion in the mid 80s. Duran Duran & Rod Stewart have both listed him as a major influence.

He has longevity & creativity and a substantial amount of commercial success. I cant believe he hasn't been nominated.

Posted by Tom Leonard on Monday, 10/13/2014 @ 20:45pm

Melissa Manchester's version of Johnny and Mary had additional lyrics, both versions by Bernie Taupin. Also covered by Tina Turner. Music by Robert Palmer. Palmer's version was the original.

Posted by Roy on Monday, 10/13/2014 @ 20:56pm

I know that this is an old thread, but I had to comment. Robert Palmer was AMAZING, and he was one of the kings of Blue-Eyed-Soul. He was so original, a gentleman, and an amazing performer. Bernie Taupin added the lyrics to Melissa Mancherter's version, but Johnny and Mary by Robert Palmer is 100% Robert Palmer, with no help from Taupin.

Posted by George on Wednesday, 10/22/2014 @ 21:26pm

Bad Case of Loving You should be an essential song.

Posted by Brian on Sunday, 10/23/2016 @ 16:51pm

There is always wonder in how some artists can be overlooked and amazement as to how others where selected for the top honor. Through all the years THat I have witnessed rock and roll evolve the following should have been enrolled; Johnnie Brunette, Chubby Checker, almost all past R AND B PERFORMERS ACCROSS THE MUSICverse.

Posted by ALEX on Monday, 03/20/2017 @ 19:27pm

This man is all soul . His life is remarkable because his music is so prolific. Loved seeing him with the Staples singers .

Posted by Mary i on Saturday, 02/8/2020 @ 14:02pm

His range of talent is impressive: writer, arranger, producer, vocalist, performer, advocate, and musician. His appreciation and respect for the contributions of our esteemed African American artists and music as well as his ecclectic llove of world music in general make him an obvious choice. His early departure from this world and the effect it had on all of his fans, which is multi-generational, was and is deeply felt. He surrounded himself with fledgling talent and gave so many access and opportunity. Explore his extensive body of work, listen to his range of vocal abilities, listen for the varied influences of other styles and genres, and research his behind the scenes contributions of a man whose entire life was dedicated to music, to his fans, and to so mant that had gone before to pave his way to whom he openly credited.

Posted by Linda on Friday, 06/19/2020 @ 11:46am

What are your criteria for someone to be nominated?
Did you know his song, "Addicted to Love" has been sung by 43 artists.
Johnny and Mary was redone by 23 artists.
Artists are playing his songs in 2020. Isn't that staying power? He influenced a younger generation and they are singing his songs. My favorite song he sung was not one he wrote, "Every Kind of People." I purchased his, "Double Fun" album for this song. People who really know his music will listen to him no matter what.

Posted by Vickie on Saturday, 01/16/2021 @ 14:00pm

I am extremely upset over the fact that Robert Palmer has never even been NOMINATED for the rock and roll hall of fame!!!!!

Posted by Ryan Watson on Saturday, 11/6/2021 @ 19:19pm

CORRECTION

The Robert Palmer version (1980), and the Tina Turner version (1982) of the song, Johnny and Mary, was written completely by Robert Palmer (lyrics and music).

The 1983 version of Johnny and Mary by Melissa Manchester had additional lyrics by Bernie Taupin.

The Robert Palmer and Tina Turner versions of Johnny and Mary will be taken off of the list of songs with lyrics by Bernie Taupin for artists other than Elton John.

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 12/15/2021 @ 12:34pm

I can only name three Robert Palmer songs. They were the videos with the look-alike girls and they were the songs "Addicted To Love", "Simply Irresistible", and "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On." Those were the only Robert Palmer songs I could think of.

Posted by Brian Schonour on Monday, 07/4/2022 @ 21:46pm

With respect, Brian, broaden your horizons. Robert Palmer did SO MUCH more before he shocked the world with the "made for MTV" videos you mentioned. Check out his discography and you'll see a ton of material worth checking out. I don't know your particular brand or style, but it's a fairly safe bet that Palmer covered it, from ballads to pulsating rock (e.g., Power Station).

He was The Best Dressed performer of his (or damn near anyone else's) time, and when he performed, he really brought it and left it all on the stage! I don't understand why he hasn't been nominated, much less inducted. In this man's opinion (and I speak as a musician), there are a number of acts that have been inducted that I think are less deserving.

Posted by SlickMic on Saturday, 07/9/2022 @ 00:26am

Robert Palmer being left out of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a travesty. He was one of a kind and his talent and influence is undeniable. Had he not died at 54 there is no telling how many more contributions he would have made to music. Unfortunately I believe he is stereo typed because of the success of his music videos, so many people do not realize there is so much more to Robert Palmer than being the artist who created one of the all time great videos for MTV. It's past time he be recognized for his contributions to Rock music.

Posted by Michael Kidd on Tuesday, 09/5/2023 @ 14:55pm

Robert Palmer the musician and the man was incredible. His versatility across genres was amazing, his songs were so much more than the ones that made it to video (which were great), but if you listen album by album, you're in for a real journey. One of my favorite songs of his today is The Silver Gun on which he is singing in Urdu.... incredible! The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has become something of a joke in my opinion, but it would still be a nice tribute to Robert for his amazing talent and contribution. He was sooo sexy too...that man could wear a suit!

Posted by KarrieG on Friday, 03/15/2024 @ 10:25am