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Earl Palmer Obituary
Palmer died Friday at his Los Angeles home after fighting a lengthy illness, his spokesman Kevin Sasaki said.
Born in New Orleans in 1924 and later moving to Los Angeles, Palmer worked extensively in both cities, recording with some of the music world's all-time greats on thousands of tracks.
His beats form the backdrop on Ike and Tina Turner's "River Deep, Mountain High," Fats Domino's "The Fat Man" and "I Hear You Knockin'" by Smiley Lewis.
From his Los Angeles home, Palmer drummed for music producer Phil Spector and Motown, and his session credits include artists as diverse as the Monkees, Neil Young and Frank Sinatra.
"He was groundbreaking," said Ed Vodika, the pianist in the Earl Palmer Trio. Palmer "shaped American music for the '50s, '60s and '70s."
Vodika said he met Palmer about 10 years ago and was asked to join the trio. The pianist said he spent the next five years playing weekly gigs in Los Angeles that attracted a host of big-name musicians, from Bonnie Raitt to Ringo Starr.
"He worked with so many people in his career ... you never knew who would be in the audience," Vodika said.
Palmer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. According to the institution's Web site, Little Richard wrote in his autobiography that Palmer "is probably the greatest session drummer of all time."
Palmer married four times and is survived by his seven children.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press
28 Entries
Noreen Jackson
February 5, 2023
Just a great musician! From trios to orchestras, he did it all extremely well. I had the pleasure of working with Earl for several years. We worked at The Times Restaurant and Jazz Supper Club in the 70's. So much fun and energy.
May 18, 2017
Miss you E.P
Nazarene Mckinney
February 22, 2017
Whenever " You've Lost That Lovin Feeling " and "Tutti Fruitie grace our hearing we will remember you and the soulful drum rhythm which made these songs great!
How you can show support
April 1, 2010
For Earl...Little Richard and
many more entertainers were
enhanced by the sound of
your drums.
WEEP NOT FOR ME
Do not weep for me when I no longer dwell among the wonders of the earth; for my larger self is free, and my soul rejoices on the other side of pain...on the other side of darkness.
Do not weep for me, for I am a ray of sunshine that touches your skin, a tropical breeze upon your face, the hush of joy within your heart and the innocence of babes in mothers arms.
I am the hope in a darkened night. And, in your hour of need, I will be there to comfort you. I will share your tears, your joys, your fears, your disappointments and your triumphs.
Do not weep for me, for I am cradled
in the arms of God. I walk with the angels, and hear the music beyond the stars.
Do not weep for me, for I am within you;
I am peace, love, I am a soft wind that caresses the flowers. I am the calm that follows a raging storm. I am an autumns leaf that floats among the garden of God, and I am pure white snow that softly falls upon your hand.
Do not weep for me, for I shall never die, as long as you remember me...
with a smile and a sigh.
© Joe Fazio
~
[email protected] /Joe Fazio,
Beverly Hills, California
Barbara Ann King
January 27, 2010
To The Palmer Family: I am so sorry he is no longer here with us, but do know that he is still here with us in spirit. I pray that you all will be comforted by these words:
Try to remember that a GOOD man never dies; You will see him many times.
You will feel him in all things that are here out of love, and for love.
The person of a man may leave or be taken away, but the best part of a GOOD man stays. It stays FOREVER!
Shelly Palmer
November 21, 2009
I miss you so much. I love you Daddy.
angel BALESTIER
November 23, 2008
Earl I will miss you thank you for being a friend since 1966 and one of our great drummers. I can't say enough about you but I know that you'll show them up there were the man sits and I'm sorry for the slate being too loud, I will miss you.
Carol Kaye
October 19, 2008
Earl, you were always the greatest drummer on every recording you did and a terrific father, and wonderful friend to all of us in the studios too! I loved every minute of recording with you, being around you, your humor, your family too, your graciousness and tact, your care and yes even the short brother-sister spats too - I learned so MUCH from you all with good humor.
Your kids, all 7 of them are the BEST too - good people...you did great on ALL scores, and I miss you so much as others do too. Your contribution to the music business, starting the great drum styles you did, rock, funk, and fine taste in Jazz as well as Pop music can never be duplicated.
When you played, you created arrangements around each tune and singer and made us all sound good. You once told me "drummers usually have good ears, they're constantly listening" - well you didn't miss a thing that's for sure. I don't know how powerful you played day and night in the studio work for all those years, but you sure did!
It's our loss here - I you're making Heaven a better place with your presence, you're the best in our ol' world, God Rest, you my friend since 1957, and fellow musician, thanks for being YOU, love, Carol Kaye Always in my heart.
Ted Wasser
September 27, 2008
Earl Palmer was a huge influence on so many musicians.Visiting with him in New Orleans in the late eighties was great.For me, you could just listen to Earl Palmer and Grady Tate and you'd be fine.
Raymond
September 26, 2008
God Bless you Earl Palmer. Only a drummer would know how much you put into your drumming. Night after Night recording session after recording session. Because of your tremendous talent behind a set of drums you have given Music a Great Name. Thank you Earl for making so many musicians happy. Playing behind a set of drums takes great talent. You have demonstrated that talent at all times. You are up there in Heaven with Gene Krupa Buddy Rich Max Roach Philly Joe Jones Art Blakey. All the great drummers are up there. You are with them now. God Bless You Earl Palmer.
Colin Baley
September 25, 2008
Earl will be greatly missed, not only for his wonderful contribution to music, but for his great sense of humor. I can still remember many of his funny stories and how he always made me laugh. He was very good to me as a fellow drummer, and gave me a lot of work, subbing for him on many TV shows in the 60s and 70s. He was just a great human being.
Bless you Earl,
R. Reed Pittsburgh,PA.
September 23, 2008
Palmer Family,
What a great drummer!
May the God of all comfort who
hears are prayers and sees our tears give you all the needed comfort to endure in the time of deep sorrow.
With Sympathy
Bobby Breaux
September 22, 2008
It wasn't long after starting to play the drums as a teenager in my hometown of New Orleans when I heard about Earl Palmer. Long before even picking up a real drumstick Earl's groove captured me and I've been hooked ever since. At the age of 5 I started listening to my older sisters' 45 rpm records of Little Richard, Fats Domino, Smiley Lewis and all the other great artists who recorded at Cosimo's legendary studio.
What Earl Palmer did for drums and music ranks with the likes of Baby Dodds, Zutty Singleton, Paul Barbarin, Vernel Fournier, Ed Blackwell, etc, etc.
Earl's big, fat and happy groove still makes people want to get up and dance. They're probably shakin' and movin' like crazy in heaven now because that band up there just got groove-monster Earl Palmer as a member.
September 22, 2008
Wow! What a Man!...What a great, great talent! Rest In Peace Mr. Palmer.
Thomas Widgeon
September 21, 2008
Jesus Loves Me!!!
Henryk Zaleski
September 21, 2008
Thank you and rest in peace.
Denise Minear
September 20, 2008
Mr. Palmer,
Thank you for sharing your gifts and lessons with all of us who dream to walk the road you did as a talented and respected drummer. I hope you're upstairs teaching the angels great musical lessons and sharing your God given gift!! You will be missed!!
D. ZIMMERMAN
September 20, 2008
REST IN PEACE EARL PALMER
Dan Del Fiorentino NAMM Historian
September 20, 2008
Earl was an incredible person, a warm and dear friend and his drumming career was iconic! He was a pioneer who was just trying to raise a family, a creative craftsman who was often surprised by the influence he had on newer generations of percussionists and drummers, but most of all he was a gentleman who loved making music -and it showed!
Earl was interviewed as part of the NAMM Oral History program and a tribute video clip will be posted on the NAMM web site in tribute to Earl.
On behalf of those at NAMM, I offer my thoughts and prayers to Earl's family and his friends around the world. He will be missed, lucky for us, he can be heard most everytime we turn on the radio!
.
Misty Young
September 20, 2008
Rest gently, Brother. You have left us all a legacy to follow. I pray for comfort for your family. You will certainly be missed and always respected for your talent.
PAUL
September 20, 2008
Didn't know who the drummer was on all those hits......but YOU WERE DAMN GOOD ! ! !
Fredia Lacey
September 20, 2008
To: The Palmer Family,
Listen to the drum rolls as he takes his final bow. Please know that his talent will be heard and loved by many. May God continue to give all of you the strength to endure such a great loss. Our condolences are sent out to all of you today.
The Lacey Family
Justin Boncore
September 20, 2008
You left us drummers with some concrete BEATS that we all used in many ways . You were REAL and ORIGINAL and we drummers owe you much respect ..God Bless you Mr. Palmer
Randi Walker
September 20, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
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