Obituary
Former Family multi-instrumentalist John ‘Poli’ Palmer has died, aged 82.
In a short statement on the band’s Facebook page they say, ” Sad news today. Our pal and Family’s multi-instrumentalist, Poli Palmer has passed away. No details but we’ll update you as we know more. Our thoughts are with Anna and the family. RIP.”
Palmer joined Family in late 1969, replacing fellow multi-instrumentalist Jim King, who was asked to leave due to what is reported as “erratic behaviour”. Palmer first featured on the band’s 1970 album A Song For Me and appeared on Anyway (1970), Fearless (1971) and Bandstand (1972), before leaving ahead of 1973’s It’s Only A Movie.
Lovely fella. Spent his retirement occasionally gigging with Birmingham pub stalwarts, the Kate Gee Band. Very fancy bit of kit, too.
I know there’ll be contributors who feel that Family never bettered Music in a Doll’s House.
I disagree – I much preferred them after Poli joined and the vibraphone became part of their sound.
One of my great regrets is that I never got to see Family either during their early 70s heyday or their more recent regroupings
RIP, Poli
A very sad loss.
Let us not forget that he joined the old site.
I had started a thread commenting on the use of vibes and specifically their appearance on Good New, Bad News after that song had popped up on random play on my way into work one morning.
A day or two later he joined the conversation.
Unfortunately I can’t recall anything he posted.
“Mallets!” probably. He hated them being called vibes.