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Biff Rose

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File:BiffRose.jpg
Biff Rose in his 1968 debut album.

Paul 'Biff' Rose is an American singer-songwriter.

Biff Rose was one of the greatest and most talented musicians and comedians to appear in the early 1960's. Biff Rose arrived in Hollywood in 1966, with a banjo on his knee. There he found employment working as a sketch writer for television variety shows. Eventually, Rose took up with the songwriting he developed during his youth growing up in New Orleans. A song co-written with Paul Williams, "Fill Your Heart", was recorded by both Tiny Tim and David Bowie.

Rose's great work was embraced by the hippies, and even non-hippies found his zany writings and performances to be the panacea to a wounded world. Rose himself wrote the most interesting songs of the time- ignoring record label pleas for him to record more mainstream fare.

In the meantime, Rose began writing lyrics and combining them with the carnival like sounds he produced on the piano. A testament to Rose's popularity, his songs were covered by a variety of entertainers, looking for a national audience. Much of Rose's music was comedic, often prodding the political climate of the time. He appeared twelve times on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" from 1968 to 1970.

Bill Cosby's Tetragrammaton label released his debut in 1968. Rose also recorded albums for United Artists, Pacific Arts, Sweet Jane Limited, and the Buddha label. He returned to recording in 1996 by self-releasing the angry "Bone Again" CD. It's important to note that these later recordings contain what many consider racist, misogynistic and anti semitic lyrics. He himself consistently refers to all the "conflict" as "theatre" on his website. His detractors equate that Rose's explanation panders to his racist hate speech. Rose no longer tours the country, but performs intermittently at festivals and smaller venues.

Most fans of Rose completely disagree with the racist tag. This man is a genius at social satire. His ability on the keyboard is not lacking either. Wiht each pluck of the ivories, Rose sends out delicious goodness to the world, truly attempting to better the world by pointing out the irregularities and sadness that encapsule us all. Biff Rose is in no way a racist. Anyone that would say that has to be a total fool. Listen to his early records, Listen to Molly the song of a clown. John Denver covered his recordings for god's sake.

Discography

Commerical releases

  • The Thorn in Mrs. Rose's Side (1968, Tetragrammaton)
  • Children of Light (1969, Tetragrammaton)
  • Biff Rose (1970, Buddah)
  • Half Live at the Bitter End (1971, Buddah)
  • Uncle Jesus, Aunty Christ (1972, United Artists)
  • Hamburger Blues (1974, Sweet Jane Limited)
  • Roast Beef (1978, Down Pat/Pacific Arts)
  • Thee Messiah Album (1979, Pacific Arts)

Self released

  • Bone Again (1996, Fast Eddy)
  • The Elizabethan Period (2000, self release)
  • E-Stir Parade(2003, self release)
  • The Night Wiggah and the Nippie Higger (2004, self release)

Quotations attributed to Rose

  • My words are just some antics.

Official websites

Other

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