Phil Palmer

Phil Palmer
Philip John Palmer (born 9 September 1952) is a British rock sideman and session guitarist who has toured, recorded, and worked with numerous artists. He is best known for his work with Eric Clapton and Dire Straits.
Biography
Palmer grew up in north London. Ray and Dave Davies of The Kinks were his uncles on his mother's side.
Palmer has supported artists that include Lucio Battisti (album Una giornata uggiosa, 1980), Pet Shop Boys, Murray Head, Steve Harley, 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, Geri Halliwell, Katey Sagal, Chris de Burgh, Bryan Adams, Johnny Hallyday, David Knopfler, George Michael, Ivano Fossati, Renato Zero, Claudio Baglioni, Massimo Di Cataldo, Melanie C, Robbie Williams, David Sylvian and Hajime Mizoguchi (album Angels, 2001). 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 performed with the numerous artists and was the musical director of 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".
To date, he has appeared on over 500 albums and over 5000 songs.
In 2021, Palmer released an autobiography entitled Session Man.
Personal life
His uncles are Ray and Dave Davies of The Kinks. He has appeared with them on stage many times.
He has named Davey Graham and Big Bill Broonzy as key influences on him while growing up.
In January 2012, he married Italian singer and TV personality Numa Palmer. 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.
Palmer has two children from his first marriage.
Appearances
With Bryan Adams
18 til I Die (A&M Records, 1996)
With Alphaville
Afternoons in Utopia (Atlantic Records, 1986)
With Thomas Anders
Different (Teldec, 1989)
With Tasmin Archer
Great Expectations (Capitol Records, 1992)
With Joan Armatrading
To the Limit (A&M Records, 1978)
The Shouting Stage (A&M Records, 1988)
With Gary Barlow
Open Road (RCA Records, 1997)
Twelve Months, Eleven Days (RCA Records, 1999)
With Pet Shop Boys
Fundamental (Parlophone, 2006)
With Sam Brown
Stop! (A&M Records, 1988)
With Melanie C
Reason (Virgin Records, 2003)
With Eric Clapton
Journeyman (Reprise Records, 1989)
With Jim Diamond
Desire for Freedom (A&M Records, 1986)
Jim Diamond (Teldec, 1988)
With Céline Dion
Unison (Columbia Records, 1990)
With Dire Straits
On Every Street (Vertigo Records, 1991)
With Sheena Easton
Take My Time (EMI, 1981)
You Could Have Been with Me (EMI, 1981)
Madness, Money & Music (EMI, 1982)
My Cherie (MCA Records, 1995)
With David Essex
Gold & Ivory (CBS Records, 1977)
Imperial Wizard (Mercury Records, 1979)
Hot Love (Mercury Records, 1980)
Silver Dream Racer (Mercury Records, 1980)
Stage - Struck (Mercury Records, 1982)
This One's for You (Mercury Records, 1984)
With Delta Goodrem
Mistaken Identity (Epic Records, 2004)
With Geri Halliwell
Passion (EMI, 2005)
With Steve Harley
The Candidate (EMI, 1979)
With Murray Head
Shade (Mercury Records, 1983)
Restless (Virgin Records, 1984)
Sooner or Later (Virgin Records, 1987)
Pipe Dreams (Voiceprint Records, 1995)
Rien n'est écrit (Sony, 2009)
With Trevor Horn
Echoes: Ancient and Modern (Deutsche Grammophon, 2023)
With John Illsley
Never Told a Soul (Vertigo Records, 1984)
Glass (Vertigo Records, 1988)
Long Shadows (Blue Barge Records, 2016)
With Duncan James
Future Past (Innocent Records, 2006)
With Howard Jones
Dream into Action (Elektra Records, 1985)
One to One (Elektra Records, 1986)
Cross That Line (Elektra Records, 1989)
With Juanes
P.A.R.C.E. (Universal Music, 2010)
With Ronan Keating
Songs from Home (Decca Records, 2021)
With Nick Lachey
SoulO (Universal, 2003)
With Lulu
Together (Mercury Records, 2002)
With George Michael
Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (Columbia Records, 1990)
Songs from the Last Century (Virgin Records, 1999)
Patience (Epic Records, 2004)
With Olly Murs
Olly Murs (Epic Records, 2010)
With Jimmy Nail
Crocodile Shoes (East West Records, 1994)
Crocodile Shoes II (East West Records, 1996)
With Iggy Pop
The Idiot (RCA Records, 1977)
With Cliff Richard
Cliff at Christmas (EMI, 2003)
With Andrew Ridgeley
Son of Albert (Columbia Records, 1990)
With Jennifer Rush
Credo (EMI, 1997)
With Katey Sagal
Well... (Virgin Records, 1994)
With Seal
Soul 2 (Reprise Records, 2011)
7 (Warner Bros. Records, 2015)
With Skin
Fleshwounds (EMI, 2003)
With Lisa Stansfield
The Moment (Edel, 2004)
With Amii Stewart
Time for Fantasy (RCA Victor, 1988)
With David Sylvian
Brilliant Trees (Virgin Records, 1984)
Gone to Earth (Virgin Records, 1986)
Secrets of the Beehive (Virgin Records, 1987)
With Take That
Nobody Else (RCA Records, 1995)
With Tina Turner
Foreign Affair (Capitol Records, 1989)
Twenty Four Seven (Parlophone Records, 1999)
With Judie Tzuke
Left Hand Talking (Columbia Records, 1991)
With Robbie Williams
Sing When You're Winning (Chrysalis Records, 2000)
Escapology (EMI, 2002)
Reality Killed the Video Star (Virgin Records, 2009)
References
External links
Phil Palmer Official Website
Wishbone Ash personnel
VibeMusic.com
Phil Palmer Appears On Discography
Interview with Phil Palmer, Apr 2009
MasterClass & Concert in Niort (F)
One of the world top session guitarists
1952 births
Living people
English rock guitarists
English blues guitarists
English jazz guitarists
English male guitarists
Musicians from London
Slide guitarists
English session musicians