Robert Franklin Palmer Jr. ( June 19 , 1945 -- November 20 , 1997 ) was an American writer , musicologist , clarinetist , saxophonist , and blues producer . He is best known for his books , including Deep Blues ; his music journalism for the New York Times and Rolling Stone magazine ; his work producing blues recordings and the soundtrack of the film Deep Blues ; and his clarinet playing in the 1960s band the Insect Trust .
Robert Palmer (writer) isn't a journalist.