Fate, in all its enviable wisdom and party tricks, managed late last week to cap off a double hit of singing icon deaths adding a third death to the pantheon of montages and slow memorial warbles. The death of course is none other than the rock singer Robert Palmer. He joins previously silenced Slim Dusty and Johnny Cash.
Due to complications from diabetes, Johnny Cash died on Friday, September 12 aged 71. Reports of his death never failed to mention the fact that he was regarded as the 'Man in Black' for all the sombre tones of his wardrobe. Those same news reports made mention of the fact that he was a country singer.
Which brings Death's bony knuckles to the door of another country singer. This time in country New South Wales, Australia and the kidney of Slim Dusty. Losing his battle against the animated and armed entity known widely as cancer. That was on Friday September 19 and Slim was dusted off at the age of 76.
Then, not to show favour in country music, Robert Palmer was chosen to suffer a heart attack and rocked off on Friday September 26 at 54. Reports on his death included the promising line of, "for such hits as, Addicted to Love" and ended as abruptly as a cardiac arrest.
England looks like prime real estate fodder for the hopeful next.
Written on Monday, 29 September 2003