Career timeline

Robert D. Palmer was born in Cleveland, Ohio.

Birth date verified; birthplace supported by family obituary.

Robert moved with his mother and two sisters to Oakland, California, following the death of his father. The family lived with his grandparents; his step-grandfather was a Baptist minister.

Robert recalled this in his memoir. Not independently verified.

Robert recalled his first profound musical awakening around age ten, riding through Oakland in his sister's convertible, hearing Motown on the radio. "From that moment forward, I knew, somehow or someway, I needed to be a part of the magic coming from that radio."

Robert's first-person account from From Misery to Hope.

The family moved from Oakland to San Bernardino, California.

Supported by family obituary and memoir account.

Robert received his first guitar at age thirteen. He soon discovered Steve Cropper and Jimi Hendrix and began teaching himself by ear.

Robert's first-person account from From Misery to Hope.

Robert formed the Booty People with childhood friends from San Bernardino.

Formation date is approximate; drawn from Robert's memoir.

Robert and the Booty People moved from San Bernardino to Hollywood. Robert recalled the group also playing at political rallies during this period, though this has not been confirmed from independent sources.

Date is approximate. Robert's memoir account; rally performances unconfirmed.

Co-wrote and performed with Booty People on Spirit of '76, which appeared on Billboard, Cash Box, and Record World charts.

A published photograph places Robert with Booty People before opening for War at the Swing Auditorium in San Bernardino.

As a member of Booty People, Robert appeared with the group on Soul Train (episode 183), performing Spirit of '76.

Booty People opened for Tower of Power at the Santa Barbara Bowl.

Record World identified Robert D. Palmer by name in a Booty People photograph at the group's ABC Records signing celebration.

Booty People's self-titled ABC album was released with Robert credited on guitar and vocals.

Robert played lead guitar on General Caine's album Let Me In.

Robert co-wrote two tracks on Stargard's Nine Lives: True Love and Let Me Be Your Mindbender.

Robert D. Palmer performed as a guitarist with Little Richard and appears in the 'Operator' music video, as identified through direct family testimony and an independent historical account identifying 'Robert Palmer of San Bernardino' as a Little Richard guitarist.

Chaka Khan's Come 2 My House was released on NPG Records. Robert D. Palmer co-wrote the title track with Chaka Khan, Howard McCrary, and Prince. He also co-wrote 'Spoon,' contributed additional vocals, and received production and programming credits on the album.

The Pussycat Dolls released Stickwitu, co-written by Robert D. Palmer.

Stickwitu received a Grammy nomination at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards. The song is nominated in a performance category crediting The Pussycat Dolls.

Robert and his son Kary Youman connected through a DNA match, reuniting after nearly four decades apart. Their first conversation lasted more than six hours.

Confirmed by KGW feature (S002) and Kary Youman's prologue in From Misery to Hope.

Robert and Kary Youman began developing From Misery to Hope, drawing on recorded conversations and Robert's writing.

Supported by KGW feature and Kary's prologue.

KGW published a feature centered on Kary Youman meeting Robert D. Palmer.

Robert moved to Portland, Oregon, to be closer to Kary and his siblings. He told his family he loved living there.

Kary Youman's prologue in From Misery to Hope; supported by S001.

Robert D. Palmer died at age 67.