Robert Palmer Newcastle Mayfair 19th May 1983
Robert Palmer was a cool guy and a great R&B and soul singer. I first came across him when I saw him in Dada, a jazz/rock fusion band, who supported Iron Butterfly on their 1971 UK tour. Dada also featured Elkie Brooks, and the pair of singers were soon to form the great Vinegar Joe, who I was lucky enough to see several times in the early 70s. Palmer and Brooks were great together live; the cool, suave Yorkshireman was the perfect complement to Brooks’ fiery, wild and raucous stage persona. After Vinegar Joe folded, Palmer went on to forge a solo career, achieving particular success in the USA. By the time I saw him again at this gig at Newcastle Mayfair in 1983, he had released 7 albums. The tour was to promote the Pride album, and followed his success in the UK singles chart with Some Guys Have All The Luck which reached No 16, and was his biggest hit to date. 
The show saw Palmer looking particularly cool in a snappy suit, and singing his blue-eyed soul to an appreciative Newcastle crowd. A live recording exists of the Hammersmith Palais show of the 1983 tour which shows the setlist as: Every Kinda People; What Can You Bring?; Dance For Me; Want You More; You Can Have It (Take My Heart); Woke Up Laughing; Say You Will; Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley; Pride; It’s Not Difficult; Some Guys Have All The Luck; Best Of Both Worlds; Sulky Girl; Looking For Clues; Johnny And Mary. I would imagine that the set at the Mayfair will have been similar. Palmer went on to even bigger success a few years later with Addicted To Love (and that iconic video) and She Makes My Day. He died of a heart attack in a Paris hotel room on 26 September 2003 at the age of 54.
4 Feb
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by Allan Orrick on February 4, 2014 at 12:25 pm
Went to this go. I stood and watched him perform, and found him as exciting as a bag of potatoes. Ended up on the first floor behind the baffle boards around the sound desk, and hey presto, the rest of the show was wonderful, just listening to him.
Posted by David Graham on September 9, 2024 at 7:57 pm
Hello Everyone I also attended this Newcastle Mayfair gig but like a lot of the ones at this venue they are very vague (I know I saw T.Lizzy Nightlife just released) but no memory of the boys back in toon, What I do remember of R.Palmer is that he appeared on stage wearing a Army uniform corporal I think. ? If I can find photos I took I’ll try n load them I’m pleased I did make the effort to go that night because my recollection of Mr Palmer is that he hated touring so never got another chance unless travelling to distant venue anyway Great singer still got all his albums TTFN.
Posted by vintagerock on September 10, 2024 at 11:05 am
Hi David I also remember Robert Palmer wearing army type clothes that evening. I don’t think the venue was full, but he was excellent as always and as he used to be when I saw him in Vinegar Joe and Dada with Elkie Brooks. Happy days Peter PS I would love to see some photos if you have them Peter