LONDON — Rock singer Robert Palmer, known for his sharp suits and hits including “Addicted to Love,” died Friday in Paris of a heart attack, his manager said. He was 54.
Palmer was on a two-day break in Paris following a television recording session in Britain, his manager Mick Carter said from the French capital.
In the 1980s, Palmer became a superstar with singles which also included “Simply Irresistible” — accompanied by slick videos featuring the smartly dressed Palmer with a back-up band of attractive women, all in black outfits and glossy makeup.
The son of a British naval officer, Palmer was a member of several British rock bands before he hit the big time as a solo artist. He had lived in Switzerland for the past 16 years.
Known for his GQ sense of style, Palmer was named best dressed male artist by Rolling Stone in 1990.
The “Addicted to Love” video, with its miniskirted models strumming guitars as Palmer sang, became one of MTV’s most-played clips, and sparked protests from some feminists.
He had his first hit album and single, “Sneakin’ Sally through the Alley,” in 1974.
In his 20s, Palmer worked with a number of small-time bands including Dada, Vinegar Joe, and the Alan Bown Band, occasionally appearing in opening acts for big draw including The Who and Jimi Hendrix.
Have Nicole Kidman and Lenny Kravitz quietly gotten engaged?
For months, reps for the actress and the rocker have scoffed at speculation that they were dating, but yesterday a source close to Kravitz put out the word that they are betrothed.
“No comment,” said Kravitz’s spokeswoman.
“As far as I know they’re just friends,” said Kidman’s.
A week ago, Kidman told us she’s simply making use of his spectacular SoHo loft while her $8 million duplex in the West Village is being finished. We didn’t get a chance to ask her where Lenny has been sleeping. But we do know that they’ve been seeing a lot of each other.
This past Sunday, they came together to the Apollo Theater memorial for dancer Gregory Hines. One spy says Kravitz is a regular visitor on the local set of “The Stepford Wives,” Kidman’s latest film. They were “mighty cuddly,” says another spy, “while grooving to the antique jukebox in the bar at Tavern on the Green” recently.
Over the summer, they were spotted at the Mercer Kitchen, Tao, 66, Bungalow 8 and Lobby.
Though linked with Q-Tip and Jude Law, Kidman, 37, hasn’t had a full-fledged romance with anyone since her divorce from Tom Cruise.
Kravitz, 39, who divorced Lisa Bonet in 1993 (they have one daughter), recently split with Victoria’s Secret model Adriana Lima. Lima had also said she and Kravitz were engaged.