John Palmer

Who is John Palmer?

John Palmer was a bandleader, tenor saxophonist and composer. He recorded several albums for Mercury Records including "A Swingin' Love Affair", "A Swingin' Dance Date", and "Moonlight on the Campus", with a small singing group which included Ann Trendler, whom he would later marry. He performed and recorded under the name "Peter Palmer".

John Palmer studied music at Northwestern University and graduated in 1950. While there, he conducted on-campus orchestras. The Peter Palmer Orchestra was featured at Chicago's Sherman House hotel and accompanied Tiny Tim at the Sahara Tahoe Hotel in Nevada. During the 1960s, the orchestra performed on college campuses. Later in his career John changed his stage name from Pete to Johnny Palmer to avoid confusion with the popular Broadway singer and actor Peter Palmer of Li'l Abner fame. He retired from his musical career to found the Johnny Palmer Speakers Bureau, which later became the National Speakers Bureau.