Jump to content

Biff Rose

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Jonah Ayers (talk | contribs) at 06:37, 21 January 2006. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

File:Biffpaint.jpg
Biff with "body-painting" cover photo for "The Elizabethan Period" CD, circa 2000.

Paul "Biff" Rose is an American Television Writer and singer-songwriter.

Born in New Orleans, Rose first came to prominence as a writer on Mort Sahl's tv show, with George Carlin. He eventually turned his focus to music, andDavid Bowie covered the song "Fill Your Heart" on his record Hunky Dory, the music and lyrics of which were written by Paul Williams with Rose collaborating on the melody. This song was the B-side to Tiny Tim's single, "Tiptoe through the Tulips." Bowie played another Rose song, "Buzz the Fuzz," in one live performance [1]. Other Rose songs were covered by John Denver [2] and Pat Boone [3].

Rose was a sometime guest on Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show from 1968 to 1970. [4][5]. Rose was also a guest or performed on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour[6], American Bandstand [7], and Hugh Hefner's Playboy After Dark [8]. He emceed the Atlantic City Pop Festival of 1969 [9], and the Atlanta Pop Festival of 1970 [10].

1978's Roast Beef was recorded by Mike Nesmith in a single take and has been described as violent piano improvisation.

2005 saw 2 small indie (music) labels release compilations . In the US, a CD gathered his Tetragrammaton output, and a UK compilation covered Rose's work from 1968 through 1985.

File:Biffpress.jpg
Biff in the late 70's.

Musical Style

Rose's later work is much different from that of his 60's and 70's output. Where those earlier works were piano based, and lyrics followed in the tradition of Joseph Newman, and Rose returned again and again to Newman for lyrics, the newer recordings includes piano ramblings and the negative use of Racist Stereotypes On one of Rose's official websites, Judaism is targeted [11], resulting in accusations that Rose practices antisemitism [12]; It is said that Rose denies the charge, though there are no sources cited to support this.


Discography

Officially Released

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

Self Released

  • Biff, Cliff, and Warren (1961 live to tape recording)
  • Banjo and Ballyhoo (1963, self released home recording, Angry young man recordings)
  • Bone Again (1996, released on cdr byFast Eddy)
  • The Elizabethan Period [w/ Elizabeth Suggs] (2000, released on cdr by GoddessOne)
  • E-Stir Parade (2003, released on cdr by Wascal's Wecord & Stuff)
  • Live At The Earl Of Oldtown (recorded 1977, released 2003, released on cdr by Wascal's Wecord & Stuff)
  • The Knight Wigguh and the Nippie Higger (2004, released on cdr by Wascal's Wecords & Stuff)

Singles

  • What's Gnawing At Me/Molly (1968, Tetragrammaton)
  • Buzz the Fuzz/Gentle People(1968, Tetragrammaton)
  • Take Care of My Brother/Myrtle's Pies (1969, Tetragrammaton, non-album single)
  • I Forgot to Tell You/The Captain(1970, Buddah)
  • Rudolph [features Biff and his children] (1971, United Artists)
  • Garbage/Lord I Done Bumped Into You (1972, United Artists)

Out of Print Compilations

  • Urban (folk) Renewal: Blue Dog Cellar [live compilation w/ 3 other artists] (1962, Kimberly)
  • Put Your Hand in the Hand [odd various artist compilation featuring songs from 1970's Biff Rose] (mid 1970's, Pickwick)

In Print Compilations

  • The Acoustic Highway Collection: The Road To Country Rock [features previously unreleased track] (EMI, 1996)
  • The Thorn in Mrs. Rose's Side/Children of Light (2005, Water Records)
  • Fill Your Heart With Biff Rose (2005 RPM Records)

References

Template:Persondata

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biff_Rose&oldid=36060406"