Bama Theatre

October 29, 1976

By the time English pop singer performed in Tuscaloosa, he’d done some good work. However, his real fame was a few years away. Palmer was handsome man with a powerful voice and an elegant presence. He performed in a number of small bands in England. The last was Vinegar Joe, a tight, hard rocking ensemble that released a trio of albums on Island Records. In 1974, the record company gave Palmer a solo contract. He recorded the album “Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley” in New Orleans, drenched in influences, including The Meters and Lowell George of Little Feat, who produced the record. It was followed by “Pressure Drop,” an even deeper dive in reggae flavors. Palmer’s songs were starting to get traction and could be heard on dance floors in bars around Tuscaloosa and blaring from mixing boards in concerts halls prior to Little Feat shows and other concerts, which was always a source for fresh music. “Sailin’ Shoes,” written by George, “Give Me an Inch” and “Work to Make It Work” were all popular songs in his repertoire. His UPC show at the Bama Theatre marked the third of four concerts booked at the Downtown Tuscaloosa venue the fall in 1976 and showcased a talented singer soon to break out into an exciting new phase of his career.