Robert Palmer ~ Every Kinda People 1978 Soul Purrfection Version

The summer of 1978 brought us songs like Chris Rea “Fool (If You Think It’s Over), the Little River Band “Reminiscing“ and Robert Palmer’s “Every Kinda People“, a #16 Hot100 hit that established him on the charts and in blue eyed soul. Robert was born January 19, 1949 in Batley, Yorkshire UK. Shortly after that the family moved to exotic Malta as his father worked for British naval intelligence. He listened to American Forces Radio where he began to appreciate blues, soul and jazz music. The family returned to Yorkshire where Robert joined his first band, The Mandrakes at the age of 15. In 1969, he was asked to replace the departed lead singer of The Alan Bown Set, and rerecorded the songs for The Alan Bown! album, establishing his suave, elegant and sophisticated persona. After trying his hand as a band member, in 1974 he signed a solo deal with Island Records using New Orleans band extraordinaire, The Meters for “Sneaking Sally Down The Alley“. The UK did not pick up on it but it became his first American pop hit with “Sailin’ Shoes“. Next he went authentically reggae with “Pressure Drop“ incorporating the island sound into his brand of rock and roll bringing Motown stalwart James Jamerson to handle bass. His third album “Some People Can Do What They Like“ LP failed to ignite and he repaired to the Bahamas and took a room directly across the street from Compass Point Studios. Bringing the Caribbean sound into the “Double Fun“ LP, he had two hits a cover of the Kinks “You Really Got Me“ and an original from Andy Fraser (ex of Free “All Right Now) called “Every Kinda People“ that became Palmer’s biggest hit at the time. He gained new fans with every album, keeping the majority of his older fans interest and went full on rock and roll with “Bad Case Of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)“ a #14 Hot100 hit. The new wavish “Clues“ produced “Looking For Clues“, then “Some Guys Have All The Luck“, later covered by Rod Stewart in 1984. A chance meeting with Duran Duran led to Power Station, and with his star on the rise recorded “Riptide“ and the #1 pop hit “Addicted To Love“.