ADDICTED TO..LIFE; Heart attack kills Robert Palmer at just 54.
Byline: FIONA CUMMINS, Ms ShowbizSUAVE, sharp-dressed and a lover of the high life, rock star Robert Palmer's death aged 54 shocked the music world yesterday.
The chain-smoking singer, who enjoyed a luxury lifestyle, collapsed in a plush Paris hotel room apparently from a heart attack.
Whisky-loving Palmer, who once admitted "good living has blurred my once taut outline", was given a clean bill of health by his doctors in Switzerland just weeks ago.
Yorkshire-born Palmer collapsed at the four-star Warwick Hotel near the Champs Elysee after a quiet meal out with girlfriend Mary Ambrose.
Yesterday stunned TV producer Mark Witty, one of the last people to work with the star, said: "I was eating fish and chips with him in London 48 hours ago. He looked as fit as a fiddle."
Police in Paris said: "A postmortem will be held. It may be that Mr Palmer was taking medicine and if he had been drinking it may have caused a heart attack."
Officers had no reason to believe he had taken illegal drugs, the spokeswoman added.
Palmer, a sailor's son who never went to the cinema or saw TV until his was 12, joined his first band at 15. Five years later he quit his job as a graphic designer for a career in music.
After linking up with Elkie Brooks in Vinegar Joe, he became a solo artist in 1974 and enjoyed minor hits until 1982 when he made the Top 20 with Some Guys Have All The Luck.
Then he scored a massive hit with Addicted to Love in 1986 with a video featuring mini-skirted models which became one of MTV's most played. He said of it: "I'm not going to attach inappropriate significance to it because, at the time, it meant nothing. It's just happened to become an iconic look."
His other hits included Simply Irresistible, Looking for Clues, Johnny and Mary, She Makes My Day and I Didn't Mean to Turn You On.
During his heyday in the 1980s, the double Grammy winner formed Power Station with Duran Duran's John Taylor and Andy Taylor, having huge success both here and in the USA.
In the 1980s Palmer, whose sharp eye for a suit was matched by his sharp eye for a business opportunity, moved to Nassau, the millionaire's playground in the Bahamas, where he made several lucrative property deals.
He often entertained journalists to marathon drinking sessions. One interviewer noted how Palmer downed a Bloody Mary at 10.30am, waving away tea or coffee with a curl of his lip. He always claimed not to do drugs, but recently revealed: "Ah ... I just never admitted it."
In 1987, Palmer, who had two children by first wife Sue - whom he divorced in 1993 - moved to Lugano in Switzerland, with Mary Ambrose. David Bowie was a neighbour.
Along with Bryan Ferry he was Palmer's closest rival for the most stylishly attired star in rock title. When visiting London, Palmer liked to stay at the fashionable St James's Club, dine at the classiest restaurants and have his clothes made by expensive tailors. While living in Switzerland he continued to work with other stars. Singer Paul Young said: "I had every record he did. He always changed styles and he was right on top of the music scene. It is such a shame to have him go."
Former Boomtown Rats singer Bob Geldof said: "He did something unique."
Elkie Brooks, 58, said: "I'm still trying to work out what to say to his parents, who are great friends of mine.
"It's a huge loss to the music industry because he was a fantastic writer who was not afraid to try something different."
Despite the hard-living reputation, Palmer once confessed he was not attracted to the excesses stardom brings.
He said: "I loved the music, but the excesses of rock 'n' roll never really appealed to me. I couldn't see the point of getting up in front of a lot of people when you weren't in control of your wits."
In his last interview this week he spoke of his love for all types of music: "If I want to be humourous I do a calypso, if I want to scream at the sky I get out the heavy metal guitars, if I want to whisper in my girlfriend's ear I bring in the strings."
Friend Nigel Rose, who had known Palmer since 1969, added: "He was very healthy when he was in the Bahamas. I never saw him pi**ed.
"He was very dedicated to his song writing and discovering new music."
CAPTION(S):
SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE: The Addicted to Love; SOUL SINGER: A duet with Chaka Khan; video captured his image; MATE: Palmer with fellow gravel-voiced star Rod Stewart; SNAPPY: Palmer dressed smart; ONE OF THE LADS: Palmer was often torn between being a solo sophisticate and singing with friends Power Station
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| Publication: | The Mirror (London, England) |
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| Date: | Sep 27, 2003 |
| Words: | 813 |
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