Robert Palmer. Photo: Nathan Callahan via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
What Are Some Interesting Facts About Robert Palmer Wife Sue Thatcher?
Have you ever looked around the web or searched for terms like ‘Robert Palmer wife’ or ‘Robert Palmer wife name’ to learn more about the singer? We get it; Palmer was a soulful and dashing multi-genre music legend. With that legacy, it’s no surprise that people today are still curious about parts of the elusive Robert Palmer personal life, which he generally kept private even in his superstardom.
But if you’ve ever wondered, ‘Did Robert Palmer have a wife?’ or ‘Who was Robert Palmer’s wife?’ the answer is yes, the retro icon did have a wife, and her name is Susan ‘Sue’ Thatcher. The two were married for 23 years, during which they lived together in various places throughout the world, such as London, New York, the Bahamas and Lugano, Switzerland.
Want to learn more about her? Read on as Jukebox Saturday Night, your go-to destination for all things retro music, unpacks some interesting facts about Robert Palmer wife Sue Thatcher and their marriage.
Fact #1: She was partly why Robert got noticed by Chris Blackwell.
Island Records is one of the big players that made the Robert Palmer music career the legacy it is remembered as today. What many fans may not know, however, is how Robert Palmer wife Sue Thatcher had a hand in catching the eye of the label’s founder, Chris Blackwell.
When Chris Blackwell was at a club one night, it wasn’t just Robert’s performance with then-band The Alan Bown! that piqued his interest. In fact, Chris recalled that what made him notice Robert the very first time was his appearance with his wife Sue.
Chris clearly remembered ‘being taken by a glamorous couple who swept confidently into the venue, looking completely out of place.’
He then went on to say that he was dazzled by Robert’s voice and ‘endlessly dazzled by his knowledge of music, which seemed to take in everything from obscure jazz to the most cutting edge soul and funk.’
For over a decade, Robert was signed onto Island Records. This was the label of many greats, such as Ricky Wilson (guitarist) and the rest of The B-52s members, Bob Marley and Annie Lennox. So, it doesn’t come as a surprise that Chris Blackwell’s notice of Robert and Sue led to years of working together and the eventual Robert Palmer international fame we remember today.
Fact #2: She was an artist too.
Robert wasn’t the only creative person in the relationship. Sue Thatcher was an artist as well, albeit a different kind. She wasn’t a musician or any sort of performer; she was a very accomplished textile designer.
Back in her student years, she studied at one of the top creative universities in the UK, High Wycombe College of Technology and Art (now known as Buckinghamshire New University).
Later on, the Royal Society of Arts granted her a travel grant to visit Sweden in 1967, and that same year, she joined Warner & Sons, a leading British textile manufacturer, as a Colourist.
When fans look up ‘John Lennon Yoko Ono’ or other terms related to music star’s relationships, they often realise that they’ve got a thriving career separate from their famous partners. Sue Thatcher, with her admirable artistic talent and experience, was no exception.
Fact #3: She has collaborated with Robert Palmer.
When you look up terms like ‘Robert Palmer wife’ or ‘Robert Palmer spouse’, you’re likely to only learn about the basics of their personal relationship. But the truth is that she has been involved in his work as well.
Robert Palmer wife Sue Thatcher was actually credited for the Art Direction of Riptide. She even created the illustration on the inner sleeve of this album.
Riptide went on to be a sensational hit and is often dubbed as his pop breakthrough and biggest commercial success. It had a global sales of over 2.4 million copies and went double platinum in the U.S. and triple platinum in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Did Robert Palmer’s wife remarry after his death?
Fans wonder what happened to Robert Palmer’s wife after he joined the pantheon of legends in R’n’R heaven back in 2003. While she was among the many who grieved him, which included the Robert Palmer family, his friends and his fans, the Sue Thatcher-Robert Palmer marriage actually ended ten years before his death. So, at the time of the unfortunate passing, they were already divorced.
As to whether she remarried after the divorce or after his death, it is currently not publicly known, as she has chosen to stay out of the spotlight after parting ways with the singer.
How did Robert Palmer meet his wife?
Robert Palmer wife Sue Thatcher caught the suave singer’s eye during a chance encounter at a train station in Berkshire, England. One look at her was all it took to decide he wanted to get to know her.
‘I was taken by her style. Silver boots and silver mini-dress. The Sixties, y’know?’ he recalled. ‘She was also reading a science fiction book, and I’m a sci-fi fan.’
What was the relationship between Robert Palmer and his wife like?
Not much is known about their relationship, but one can tell that their shared interest in the arts was a big part of it. Not just because of their first meeting being grounded in a shared interest in literature or their experience in collaboration but also because of the creative environment they’ve fostered in their home.
In his biography, his daughter, Jane, wrote, ‘Their house became a hub for musicians and artists visiting the island, always full of energy and creativity.’
Walk down music memory lane
From forgotten ‘70s bands to artists that remain household names today, the music greats and their timeless tunes are the heart of what we do at Jukebox Saturday Night. Here, we invite you to take a look back at the golden years of the industry and groove with us to the hits the era blessed the world with.
You can catch us from 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. every Saturday on the Foxtel, Aurora Channel 173, where we’ll play rare video clips of music performances of the yesteryears as a joyful tribute to these artists. Missed the broadcast? Don’t worry; we love an encore! Our program also airs Sunday nights at 9.00 p.m. and Tuesday nights at 9.30 p.m.
Want to see a specific act? Whether you miss the hits of James Brown, Golden Earring, or Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs, we’re happy to take requests!
Catch our program and discover more about your retro faves with Jukebox Saturday Night!
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