Richard Palmer-James
Encyclopedia
Richard Jeffrey Charles Palmer-James (born 11 June 1947, in Bournemouth
, England
) was lyricist for the progressive rock
group King Crimson
in the early 1970s.
The unusual role as a non-music playing member was not without precedent: Palmer replaced Peter Sinfield
who had also written King Crimson lyrics. Prior to joining King Crimson, he had played in various Bournemouth bands: The Corvettes, The Palmer-James Group, formed with Alec James, Tetrad and Ginger Man, all of which also included John Wetton
on bass and vocals. He was a founding member of Supertramp
; he played guitar and wrote the lyrics for their self-titled debut album
under the name Richard Palmer and co-wrote the lyrics of the song "Goldrush," a song that had existed since his early days in the band and finally been recorded on their 2002 album, Slow Motion.
Palmer wrote lyrics for three of King Crimson's most highly regarded albums, Larks' Tongues in Aspic
, Starless and Bible Black
, and Red
. He did not participate in any of King Crimson's recordings after Robert Fripp
temporarily disbanded the group in 1974, but subsequently worked with John Wetton
and David Cross
from the band.
Palmer has lived in Munich
since the early 1970s. In 1978 he was visited by John Wetton and W.J. Hutcheson, who were his bandmates in Tetrad, and they recorded an album with the German drummer Curt Cress in 10 days called Jack-Knife performing songs from the early days.
In 1997 he released a CD with former bandmate John Wetton under the title Monkey Business, a compilation of unreleased material including some songs that were recorded for the first time in studio, like a King Crimson tune called "Doctor Diamond".
Today he makes his living mainly as a lyricist and keeps playing guitar in bars.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
) was lyricist for the progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
group King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
in the early 1970s.
The unusual role as a non-music playing member was not without precedent: Palmer replaced Peter Sinfield
Peter Sinfield
Peter John Sinfield is an English poet, lyricist and artist, most famously known as the lyricist and co-founding member of early incarnations of King Crimson, whose debut album In the Court of the Crimson King has been regarded as one of the most influential progressive rock albums ever...
who had also written King Crimson lyrics. Prior to joining King Crimson, he had played in various Bournemouth bands: The Corvettes, The Palmer-James Group, formed with Alec James, Tetrad and Ginger Man, all of which also included John Wetton
John Wetton
John Kenneth Wetton is an English bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer and songwriter. He was born in Willington, Derbyshire, and grew up in Bournemouth. He has been a professional musician since the late 1960s...
on bass and vocals. He was a founding member of Supertramp
Supertramp
Supertramp are a British rock band formed in 1969 under the name Daddy before renaming to Supertramp in early 1970. Though their music was initially categorised as progressive rock, they have since incorporated a combination of traditional rock and art rock into their music...
; he played guitar and wrote the lyrics for their self-titled debut album
Supertramp (album)
Supertramp is the self-titled debut album by progressive rock band Supertramp, released in July 1970 . It has sometimes been published under the title Now and Then...
under the name Richard Palmer and co-wrote the lyrics of the song "Goldrush," a song that had existed since his early days in the band and finally been recorded on their 2002 album, Slow Motion.
Palmer wrote lyrics for three of King Crimson's most highly regarded albums, Larks' Tongues in Aspic
Larks' Tongues in Aspic
Larks' Tongues in Aspic is the fifth studio album by the English progressive rock group King Crimson, originally released in 1973. This album is the debut of King Crimson's third incarnation - arguably their most forward-thinking thinking version yet, featuring original member and guitarist Robert...
, Starless and Bible Black
Starless and Bible Black
Starless and Bible Black is an album released by the British progressive rock band King Crimson in 1974. Most of the vocal pieces on the album are satires and commentaries on the sleaziness and materialism of society...
, and Red
Red (King Crimson album)
Red is a 1974 album by progressive rock group King Crimson.It was their last studio recording of the 1970s and the last before the lead member Robert Fripp temporarily disbanded the group....
. He did not participate in any of King Crimson's recordings after Robert Fripp
Robert Fripp
Robert Fripp is an English guitarist, composer and record producer. He was ranked 42nd on Rolling Stone magazine's 2003 list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" and #47 on Gibson.com’s "Top 50 Guitarists of All Time". Among rock guitarists, Fripp is a master of crosspicking, a technique...
temporarily disbanded the group in 1974, but subsequently worked with John Wetton
John Wetton
John Kenneth Wetton is an English bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer and songwriter. He was born in Willington, Derbyshire, and grew up in Bournemouth. He has been a professional musician since the late 1960s...
and David Cross
David Cross (musician)
David Cross is an electric violinist born in Turnchapel near Plymouth, England, best known for playing with progressive rock band King Crimson during the 1970s...
from the band.
Palmer has lived in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
since the early 1970s. In 1978 he was visited by John Wetton and W.J. Hutcheson, who were his bandmates in Tetrad, and they recorded an album with the German drummer Curt Cress in 10 days called Jack-Knife performing songs from the early days.
In 1997 he released a CD with former bandmate John Wetton under the title Monkey Business, a compilation of unreleased material including some songs that were recorded for the first time in studio, like a King Crimson tune called "Doctor Diamond".
Today he makes his living mainly as a lyricist and keeps playing guitar in bars.