The singer had known success before '85 – a Top 20 hit with "Every Kinda People," a Billboard year-end chart topper with "Bad Case of Loving You" – but nothing could have prepared him, or his fans, for what 1985 would bring: Two platinum albums (one with The Power Station, one solo). Four hot singles (with more to follow in 1986 from his year-end release Riptide). And a prominent entry in the annals of 1980s' pop culture with the unmistakable styling of his iconic videos.
Just as "totally eighties" was the sexy (in a day-glo, big hair kind of way) video for The Power Station's "Some Like it Hot."
The Power Station's cover of "Get it On (Bang a Gong)" provided an updated-for-a-new-decade version of a T. Rex classic – and more classic 1985 style.
Robert Palmer topped the charts again three years later with "Simply Irresistible," and his career continued until his death, nine years ago today… but 1985 was certainly his year to remember. Written by Linnea Crowther
