Clive Palmer
Encyclopedia
Clive Palmer is a British folk musician and banjoist best known as a founding member of the Incredible String Band
.
Born in Edmonton, North London, he first went on stage at the age of 8, and took banjo lessons from the age of 10. Around 1957 he began playing with jazz bands in Soho. He began busking with Wizz Jones
in Paris
in 1959-60, before moving to Edinburgh in late 1962. By now a virtuoso banjo player, he teamed up as a duo with singer and guitarist Robin Williamson
in 1963, playing traditional and bluegrass songs. They became the Incredible String Band in 1965 when they decided to develop their sound and their own writing talents, and added a third member, Mike Heron
. Early in 1966, he also ran "Clive's Incredible Folk Club" in Sauchiehall Street
, Glasgow.
After recording the first ISB album, The Incredible String Band
with Williamson, Heron and producer Joe Boyd
, Palmer travelled to India, where he played on national television, and Afghanistan. On his return, he decided not to rejoin the increasingly successful duo. Instead, he recorded an album of banjo music, Banjoland, which remained unreleased until 2005. He moved to Cornwall in 1968, where he worked as a woodwork teacher and became involved in trade union activities. He also formed the Famous Jug Band who released the album Sunshine Possibilities in 1969 and Chameleon in 1970, after which he left, later forming The Stockroom Five and The Temple Creatures (1970), neither of whom officially recorded. He then formed another band, C.O.B. (Clive's Original Band), who released two albums, Spirit of Love (1971) and Moyshe McStiff and the Tartan Lancers of the Sacred Heart (1972). A solo album called Just Me followed on the German label Autogram in 1978.
He later moved to live in Brittany. He returned to recording music in the early 1990s, reuniting with Williamson, and then touring with Heron and (initially) Williamson in the reformed ISB towards the end of the decade. He issued a new album, All Roads Lead To Land in 2004, and toured as a duo with Lawson Dando in 2007.
Incredible String Band
The Incredible String Band were a psychedelic folk band formed in Scotland in 1966. The band built a considerable following, especially within British counterculture, before splitting up in 1974...
.
Born in Edmonton, North London, he first went on stage at the age of 8, and took banjo lessons from the age of 10. Around 1957 he began playing with jazz bands in Soho. He began busking with Wizz Jones
Wizz Jones
Raymond Ronald Jones better-known as Wizz Jones is an English acoustic guitarist, singer and songwriter. He has been performing since the late 1950s and recording from 1965 to the present...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in 1959-60, before moving to Edinburgh in late 1962. By now a virtuoso banjo player, he teamed up as a duo with singer and guitarist Robin Williamson
Robin Williamson
Robin Williamson is a Scottish multi-instrumentalist musician, singer, songwriter and storyteller, who first made his name as a founder member of The Incredible String Band.-Career:...
in 1963, playing traditional and bluegrass songs. They became the Incredible String Band in 1965 when they decided to develop their sound and their own writing talents, and added a third member, Mike Heron
Mike Heron
Mike Heron is a Scottish singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, best known for his work in the Incredible String Band in the 1960s and 1970s.-Career:...
. Early in 1966, he also ran "Clive's Incredible Folk Club" in Sauchiehall Street
Sauchiehall Street
Sauchiehall Street is one of the main shopping/business streets in the city centre of Glasgow, Scotland. Along with Buchanan Street and Argyle Street, it forms the main shopping area of Glasgow, containing the majority of Glasgow's high street and chain stores.Although commonly associated with the...
, Glasgow.
After recording the first ISB album, The Incredible String Band
The Incredible String Band (album)
-Personnel:*Mike Heron - vocals, guitar*Clive Palmer - banjo, guitar, vocals, kazoo*Robin Williamson - violin, vocals, whistle, guitar, mandolin-External links:*...
with Williamson, Heron and producer Joe Boyd
Joe Boyd
Joe Boyd is an American record producer and former owner of the Witchseason production company. Boyd was instrumental in launching the careers of Nick Drake, Fairport Convention, and The Incredible String Band.-Career:...
, Palmer travelled to India, where he played on national television, and Afghanistan. On his return, he decided not to rejoin the increasingly successful duo. Instead, he recorded an album of banjo music, Banjoland, which remained unreleased until 2005. He moved to Cornwall in 1968, where he worked as a woodwork teacher and became involved in trade union activities. He also formed the Famous Jug Band who released the album Sunshine Possibilities in 1969 and Chameleon in 1970, after which he left, later forming The Stockroom Five and The Temple Creatures (1970), neither of whom officially recorded. He then formed another band, C.O.B. (Clive's Original Band), who released two albums, Spirit of Love (1971) and Moyshe McStiff and the Tartan Lancers of the Sacred Heart (1972). A solo album called Just Me followed on the German label Autogram in 1978.
He later moved to live in Brittany. He returned to recording music in the early 1990s, reuniting with Williamson, and then touring with Heron and (initially) Williamson in the reformed ISB towards the end of the decade. He issued a new album, All Roads Lead To Land in 2004, and toured as a duo with Lawson Dando in 2007.