In July 2025, John Michael “Poli” Palmer died aged 82. He was musician (piano, keyboards, synthesizer, vibraphone, flute, drums), member of the bands The Hellions, Deep Feeling, The Blossom Toes, Bakerloo, Ian Matthews Southern Comfort and Eclection, but was best known as member of Family. Palmer recorded worked with Linda Lewis, Peter Frampton, Elkie Brooks, Streetwalkers, Roger Chapman and Pete Townshend. As leader he released one album.
Tag Archives: Roger Chapman
Thin Lizzy: Fighting
On September 13, 1975, “Vertigo” label released “Fighting”, the fifth Thin Lizzy studio album. It was recorded in May 1975, at “Olympic Studios” in London, and was produced by Phil Lynott.
Personnel:
- Phil Lynott – lead vocal, bass guitar, acoustic guitar
- Scott Gorham – lead guitar, guitars
- Brian Robertson – lead guitar, guitars, piano, backing vocals
- Brian Downey – drums, percussion
- Ian McLagan – piano
- Roger Chapman – backing vocals
- Keith Harwood – engineer, mixing
- Jeremy Gee – engineer assistant
- Gilbert Kong – mastering
Track listing:
All tracks by Phil Lynott, except where noted.
- Rosalie – Bob Seger
- For Those Who Love to Live – Brian Downey, Phil Lynott
- Suicide
- Wild One
- Fighting My Way Back
- King’s Vengeance – Scott Gorham, Phil Lynott
- Spirit Slips Away
- Silver Dollar – Brian Robertson
- Freedom Song – Scott Gorham, Phil Lynott
- Ballad of a Hard Man – Scott Gorham
Mitch Mitchell
On November 12, 2008, John Graham “Mitch” Mitchell died 62. He was musician (drums) and child actor, member of band Soul Messengers, has performed and recorded with Pete Nelson and the Travelers, Frankie Reid and the Casuals, Johnny Harris and the Shades, the Pretty Things, Bill Knight & the Sceptres, the Riot Squad, the Who, Georgie Fame, Roger Chapman, Junior Brown, Jack Bruce, David Torn, Larry Coryell, Ramatam, Greg Parker, Terry Reid, Martha Velez, Jeff Beck, Noel Redding, but was best known as member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. In 2009, he was inducted into the “Modern Drummer Hall of Fame”.
Roger Chapman: Hyenas Only Laugh for Fun
In December 1981, “Sanctuary” label released “Hyenas Only Laugh for Fun”, the third Roger Chapman and The Shortlist studio album. It was recorded in 1981, at “Jacob Studios” in Piano, Texas, and was produced by Terry Barham and Paul Smykle.
Personnel:
- Roger Chapman– vocals, harmonica
- Tim Hinkley– keyboards
- Geoff Whitehorn– guitars
- Steve Simpson – violin, mandolin, slide guitar
- Jerome Rimson – bass guitar
- John Wetton– bass guitar
- Leonard “Stretch” Stretching – drums
- Alan Coulter – drums
- Nick Pentelow – saxophones
- Poli Palmer– synthesisers, programming
- Raymond Burrell– editing blocks
- Duncan Kinnell – percussion
- Jill Mumford – sleeve design
Track listing:
All lyrics by Roger Chapman
- Prisoner– Roger Chapman, Tim Hinkley, Geoff Whitehorn
- Hyenas Only Laugh for Fun – Roger Chapman, Tim Hinkley, Geoff Whitehorn, Jerome Rimson
- Killing Time – Roger Chapman
- Wants Nothing Chained – Roger Chapman, Geoff Whitehorn
- The Long Goodbye – Roger Chapman
- Blood and Sand – Roger Chapman, Geoff Whitehorn
- Common Touch – Roger Chapman
- Goodbye Reprise – Roger Chapman
- Hearts On The Floor – Roger Chapman
- Step Up – Take A Bow – Roger Chapman, Geoff Whitney
- Jukebox Mama – Roger Chapman, Troy Seals
Family: Anyway
In November 1970, “Reprise” label released “Anyway”, the fourth Family album.Side one was recorded on July 26, 1970, at a concert at “Fairfield Halls” in Croydon, London; side two is a collection of new tracks recorded in 1970, at “Olympic Sound Studios” in London. The album was produced by Roger Chapman, Charlie Whitney, John Weider, Poli Palmer and Rob Townsend
Personnel:
- Roger Chapman– vocals, percussion
- Charlie Whitney– acoustic and electric guitars, bass
- John Weider– bass, violin, amplified acoustic guitar, percussion
- Poli Palmer- percussion, vibraphone, electric piano, piano, flute, drums
- Rob Townsend– drums, percussion
- George Chkiantz– engineer
Track listing:
All tracks by John “Charlie” Whitney and Roger Chapman, except where noted.
“Fairfield Halls”, Croydon.
- Good News Bad News
- Willow Tree
- Holding the Compass
- Strange Band – Charlie Whitney, Roger Chapman, Robin Williamson
“Olympic Studios”, London
- Part of the Load
- Anyway
- Normans – Poli Palmer, Charlie Whitney, John Weider
- Lives and Ladies
Family: It’s Only a Movie
In September 1973, “Raft” label released “It’s Only a Movie”, the seventh Family studio album. It was recorded in 1973, at “Knowie Hall”; “Olympic Studios” and “Air Studios”, and was produced by Roger Chapman, John “Charlie” Whitney , Tony Ashton, Jim Cregan and Rob Townsend. “It’s Only a Movie” was band’s last studio album before it disbanded the same year.
Personnel:
- Roger Chapman- lead vocals
- John “Charlie” Whitney- guitar, banjo
- Tony Ashton- keyboards, backing vocals
- Jim Cregan- bass
- Rob Townsend- drums, percussion
- Peter Hope-Evans- harmonica
- Del Newman – string and horn arrangements
Track listing:
All tracks by John “Charlie” Whitney and Roger Chapman, except where noted.
- It’s Only a Movie
- Leroy
- Buffet Tea for Two
- Boom Bang
- Boots’n’Roots
- Banger
- Sweet Desiree
- Suspicion
- Check Out – John “Charlie” Whitney, Roger Chapman, Jim Cregan
Family: Bandstand
In September 1972, “Reprise” label released “Bandstand”, the sixth Family studio album. It was recorded in 1972, at “Olympic Studio” in London, and was produced by George Chkiantz, Roger Chapman, Charlie Whitney, Poli Palmer, John Wetton and Rob Townsend.
Personnel:
- Roger Chapman– lead vocals, percussion, soprano saxophone
- Charlie Whitney– guitars, keyboards
- Poli Palmer– keyboards, vibes, flute, percussion, guitar
- John Wetton– basses, guitars, backing vocals
- Rob Townsend– drums, percussion
- Linda Lewis– backing vocals
- Del Newman – string arrangements
Track listing:
All tracks by Charlie Whitney and Roger Chapman except where noted.
- Burlesque
- Bolero Babe
- Coronation – Charlie Whitney, Roger Chapman, John Wetton
- Dark Eyes – Roger Chapman, Poli Palmer
- Broken Nose
- My Friend the Sun
- Glove
- Ready To Go
- Top of the Hill
Family: Family Entertainment
In March 1969, “Reprise” label released “Family Entertainment”, the second Family album. It was recorded 1968 – 1969, and was produced by Glyn Johns and John Gilbert. “Family Entertainment” was the last album with the band original lineup.
Personnel:
- Roger Chapman – lead and backing vocals, percussion
- John “Charlie” Whitney – guitars, organ, piano
- Jim King – lead and backing vocals, saxophone, piano
- Ric Grech – lead and backing vocals, bass, violin
- Rob Townsend: drums, percussion
- Nicky Hopkins: piano
Track listing:
All tracks by Roger Chapman and John “Charlie” Whitney except where noted.
- The Weaver’s Answer
- Observation from a Hill
- Hung Up Down
- Summer 67 – John “Charlie” Whitney
- How-Hi-the-Li – Ric Grech
- Second Generation Woman – Ric Grech
- From Past Archives
- Dim
- Procession – John “Charlie” Whitney
- Face in the Cloud – Ric Grech
- Emotions – John “Charlie” Whitney, Ric Grech, Roger Chapman
Family: Fearless
On October 29, 1971, “Reprise” label released “Fearless”, the fifth Family album. It was recorded in 1971, at “Olympic Studios” in London, and was produced by Roger Chapman, Charlie Whitney, John Palmer, John Wetton, Rob Townsend and George Chkiantz.
Personnel:
- Roger Chapman – lead vocals, guitars, percussion
- Charlie Whitney – guitars, mandolin, percussion
- John “Poli” Palmer – keyboards, vibes, flute, percussion, backing vocals
- John Wetton – bass, guitars, keyboards, backing vocals
- Rob Townsend – drums, cymbals, percussion
- John Kosh – artwork
Track listing:
All tracks by Roger Chapman and Charlie Whitney except where noted.
- Between Blue and Me
- Sat’d’y Barfly
- Larf and Sing – John “Poli” Palmer
- Spanish Tide
- Save Some for Thee
- Take Your Partners – Charlie Whitney,Roger Chapman, John “Poli” Palmer
- Children
- Crinkly Grin –John “Poli” Palmer
- Blind
- Burning Bridges – Charlie Whitney, Roger Chapman, John “Poli” Palmer
Mike Oldfield: Crises
On May 27, 1983, “Virgin” label released “Crises”, the eighth Mike Oldfield album. It was recorded November 1982 – April 1983, and was produced by Mike Oldfield and Simon Phillips.
Personnel:
- Mike Oldfield – vocals, guitars, Fairlight CMI, Roland string synthesizer, Oberheim OB-Xa synthesizer, Farfisa organ, piano, Prophet 5 synthesizer, bass guita, acoustic bass guitar, mandolin, banjo, electronic drums, bells, tambourine, shaker, Oberheim DMX drum machine, Oberheim DSX digital polyphonic sequencer, Quantec Room Simulator reverb unit
- Simon Phillips– acoustic drums, special effects, shaker, finger-snaps, bells, tambourine, boots
- Ant (Ant Glynne) – guitars
- Rick Fenn– guitar
- Phil Spalding– bass guitar
- Pierre Moerlen– vibraphone
- Maggie Reilly– vocals
- Jon Anderson– vocals
- Roger Chapman– vocals
- Terry Ilott – cover art
Track listing:
- Crises – Mike Oldfield
- Moonlight Shadow – Mike Oldfield
- In High Places – Mike Oldfield, Jon Anderson
- Foreign Affair – Mike Oldfield, Maggie Reilly
- Taurus 3 – Mike Oldfield
- Shadow on the Wall – Mike Oldfield
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