Phil Palmer
English > Biographies
Philip John Palmer (born 9 September 1952, London, England) is a sideman and session guitarist in jazz and rock who has toured, recorded, and worked with numerous famous artists. He is most renowned for his work on the slide guitar.
Palmer has supported artists that include Lucio Battisti (album Una giornata uggiosa, 1980), Pet Shop Boys, Wishbone Ash (1986 touring), Joan Armatrading, Eric Clapton, Roger Daltrey, Iggy Pop, Scott Walker (Track Three, 1984), Thomas Anders (1989), Bob Dylan, Tina Turner, Dire Straits (1992 tour), Pete Townshend (1993 and 2000 shows), Eros Ramazzotti (Tutte storie 1993), Alejandro Sanz (Alejandro Sanz 3 1995), (Paola e Chiara (1997), Pino Daniele, Chris de Burgh, Bryan Adams, Johnny Hallyday, David Knopfler, George Michael, Ivano Fossati, Renato Zero, Claudio Baglioni, Massimo Di Cataldo, Melanie C, Robbie Williams and David Sylvian.[1] He often works with producer Trevor Horn. In 1986, he worked as a studio musician on Alphaville's album Afternoons in Utopia.
He co-wrote I'm No Angel, recorded separately by Bill Medley and the Gregg Allman Band.
In 1993, Palmer assembled a band called Spin 1ne 2wo, with Paul Carrack (vocals and keyboards), Steve Ferrone (drums), Rupert Hine (producer, keyboards) and Tony Levin (bass). They released one album, a self-titled project, made up of classic rock covers including songs by Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Blind Faith, Steely Dan and Bob Dylan.
Palmer was the musical director of and performed with the numerous artists (The Strat Pack) at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Fender Stratocaster guitar which was held in 2004 at Wembley Arena in London. He performed in 2002 as a member of the backing band at the Queen's 50th anniversary rock concert at Buckingham Palace, "Party at the Palace".
According to himself, he appeared on over 500 Albums and over 5000 Songs.
His uncles are Ray and Dave Davies of The Kinks. He appeared onstage with them at the White City Stadium, minutes before Ray's hospitalisation due to a drug overdose.
He married Italian singer and TV personality Emanuela Palmer in January 2012. Italian pop megastar Renato Zero was Palmer's best man for the ceremony in Rome.
Palmer and his wife are involved in several humanitarian projects, in particular with UNICEF.
In 2019 he co-produced with Trevor Horn and Alan Clark, Renato Zero's hugely successful record Zero Il Folle.