Good article on a great subject.I am glad to see a brilliant artist like Glen Palmer receiving positive recognition for his work.
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Glen Palmer Makes Clothes for Rock Gods
Living on Tom Petty's Malibu Estate, He's Tailored Duds for Everyone From Bob Dylan to Fleetwood Mac
"People say that they can tell something looks very much like me," Petty says. "Glen is probably one of the most truly rock & roll people I have ever met." He laughs and adds: "We've been through a lot, he's been through tough times, but we're still cookin'."
Palmer is similarly vague when it comes to his drug-related incarceration, which ran from 1998 to 2001. Petty then extended an invitation to Palmer to live in his Malibu home and recuperate with his family. The two grew comfortable together, and a temporary situation became a permanent fix.
PHOTO BY JENNIE WARREN
Glen Palmer
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Palmer now works out of his living space; he's busy designing outfits for John Gilbert Getty of the Getty Trust, the Foo Fighters and Joe Walsh. He spends some of his time on the Malibu bar scene with his cronies, guitarist C.C. Adcock and guitarmaker James Trussart, and carousing with the occasional stripper is a favorite pastime. He clearly still gets his kicks in. But one gets the sense he pines for the bad old days.
"Rock & roll has almost become a dirty word," he says, absentmindedly taking a drag from his cigarette. "It's like some dental assistant putting on some jeans, saying, 'Ooh, these are so rock & roll.' It meant something at one point; now it doesn't mean anything."
It's hard not to empathize with him, as you don't have to be an old-timer to bemoan a scene that has gone from Hendrix guitar anthems to canned karaoke performed by perky American Idol candidates.
Indeed, Palmer is not some dangling vestige but rather a vestigial tail. The same day we stop hearing Hendrix's "Voo Doo Chile" coming out of speakers, one fears, is the day Palmer fades away.
6 comments
Justin...I'm so proud of your work. Your words not only told a story...but I could visualize the story you told...I feel I got to know Glen Palmer!
fascinating story and very well written. So this is the guy behind that crazy wonderful elegant and outrageous performance clothing? great job!!
Well written and interesting. It's always nice to learn what is behind the scene! Thanks.
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