Del Palmer was a musician and sound engineer best known for his long collaboration and romantic relationship with songwriter Kate Bush.
- Died: January 5, 2024 (Who else died on January 5?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 71.
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Del Palmer’s legacy
Born in Greenwich, London, Palmer played bass in a variety of bands in the late 1960s and early 1970s, performing throughout England’s club circuit. These bands include Cobwebs and Strange, Company, and Conkers. In 1977, he joined the KT Bush Band, led by Kate Bush, and began an artistic partnership that would last for decades.
Palmer and Bush also began a romantic relationship in the ‘70s, though they rarely talked about it in public. Professionally, Palmer played bass for Bush both live and in the studio. By the 1980s, he began serving as sound engineer on her albums and helping her create her distinctive sound on such albums as 1985’s “Hounds of Love” and 1993’s “The Red Shoes.” Though their romantic relationship ended in the 1990s, Palmer and Bush continued working together musically well into the 2000s.
Palmer was also a solo musician, releasing three records, including his most recent, 2015’s “Leap of Faith.” In 2018, he played with the Kate Bush tribute band Cloudbusting for a series of shows celebrating the 40th anniversary of her first album’s release.
Tributes to Del Palmer
Full obituary: Pitchfork
