ROBERT PALMER : Music & Style

What's the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning ? Look at the time to see how long I can procastinate before I actuallly get up.

What's the first gig you went to? A high school dance in Yorkshire in 1960. I can't remember the name of the group but they played pale blue Fenders (which I thought were ugly - it was the first time I'd seen electric instruments). I attempted the twist and embarrassed myself.

Which song do you wish you had written? Happy Birthday.

When did you last cry and why? Last night listening to a new Andy Fraser song - he moved me.

What is your most treasured material possession? The copyrights of my songs.

Who was the last person you slept with? John Taylor, Andy Taylor, Tony Thompson and Bernard Edwards.

What do you think of Bob Dylan? 'I hear you got a new boyfriend, I ain't never seen him before. I saw you making love with him, you forgot to close the garage door. You think he loves you for your money but I know what he really loves you for. It's your brand new leopardskin pillbox hat.'

What is the best advice you ever recieved? Grow up.

What characteristics do you think you've inherited from your parents? A love of music and travel, an accurate bullshit meter and nice fingernails.

What is the biggest myth about fame? That it's desirable.

What are you like when you're drunk? My handwriting goes to pot, I can't articulate chords, my pitch goes out the window along with my diplomacy, I say what I mean and yes, I'll have another.

Who would have play you in a film? Robert Palmer.

Pick five words that describe yourself: Generous, introverted, optimistic, sensual and silly.

Is there one piece of criticism that sticks in your mind? Arnold Schwarzenegger being described as a condom full of walnuts.

Do you believe in God? Yes, God is good.

What is your greatest fear? Falling out of love.

What is your most unpleasant characteristic? If I'm asked to do more than one thing at once, I have a tendency to be irascible, churlish and childish.

What ambitions do you still have to fulfil? To be involved in the instigation of the making of a major motion picture based on the book The Eyes Of The Overworld by Jack Vance. Otherwise, ambitions seem to dissolve the closer one gets to achieving them.

Are you afraid of failure? Not yet.

What do you never leave home without? Money, keys, lighter, cigarettes, wits and clothes.

Who is your best male friend and your best female friend? David and Mary.

Who would you most like to meet? Francesca Dellera.

What music would you have played at your funeral? Anything by Billie Holiday up until 1959 (except God Bless The Child and Strange Fruit).

When you look in the mirror, do you like what you see? No. Good living has blurred my once taut outline.

Do you have anything to declare? I declare the song I've written, (You Ought To) Know By Now, is the best piece of work I've done.

(Q Magazine - 1994)