David Palmer is an American vocalist, songwriter and photographer best known as a former member of Steely Dan and as the lyricist of "Jazzman", a No.
[3] The band performed at clubs such as the Night Owl in Greenwich Village, and released several 45s on the Tomorrow record label before disbanding in 1969.
[4] He sang lead on two tracks on their debut album Can't Buy a Thrill, "Dirty Work" and "Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me)", as well as doubling parts of Donald Fagen's vocals on "Reelin' in the Years", "Only a Fool Would Say That" and "Change of the Guard" in order to reach the high notes.
[5] He also sang lead on most of Steely Dan's songs when performed live during their early concerts because of Fagen's early-career stage fright before audiences.
Palmer had sued because he had not been paid royalties for online streaming Steely Dan audio, saying: "I did not want their money, I wanted my money"[7] After Steely Dan, Palmer worked with a number of songwriters, including Carole King in the composition of "Jazzman".