News

Earl Palmer Dies of 'A Lengthy Illness'

Earl Palmer—a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member once regarded as "probably the greatest session drummer of all time" by Little Richard—has died of a "lengthy illness" according to his spokesman. He was 84 and is survived by seven children. (Palmer was also married four times.)

While he's best known for playing on such Little Richard hits as "Tutti Frutti," Palmer also appeared on records by the Righteous Brothers, the Monkees, Elvis Costello, Neil Young and more.

"He worked with so many people in his career," Ed Vodika, the Earl Palmer Trio's pianist, explained in a statement, "You never knew who would be in the audience. [Earl] shaped American music for the '50s, '60s and '70s."

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
09.22.08