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Roy Zimmerman (satirist)

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Roy Zimmerman
Zimmerman performing in 2010
Background information
Born (1957-10-07) October 7, 1957 (age 67)
OriginCalifornia
GenresSatire
Occupation(s)Singer/Songwriter, Satirist
Instrument(s)Vocals, Guitar, Banjo, Harmonica
Websiteroyzimmerman.com

Roy Zimmerman (born October 7, 1957) is an American satirical singer-songwriter and guitarist whose self-proclaimed leftist-slanted commentary is primarily focused on social issues and politics.[1]

A native of Southern California, Roy Zimmerman wrote, in the early 1980s, a series of satirical musical reviews which were presented in association with the San Jose Repertory Theatre, including YUP! (1984), UP the YUP (1985) and YUP It UP! (1986).[2] The musicals parodied the excesses of the evolving Silicon Valley culture associated with the term "yuppie" — hence "YUP". The songs from these reviews, including "Teen-age Computer Tycoon", "The Bay Area Sprawl" and "I Want to Be in a Pepsi Commercial", have remained in the memory of Bay Area professionals long after they, and Silicon Valley, have ceased to be young.[3]

He was the founder of the Southern California satirical folk quartet, The Foremen, which performed at the national conventions of both major American political parties in 1996.[4] Continuing as a solo act, he explained the philosophy behind writing and performing humorous songs on increasingly political subjects,

There's nothing funny about World Peace. Social Justice never killed at the Comedy Store. If we ever attain a worldwide consciousness of peace and justice, I'll be happily out of a job. But as long as there's poverty, war, bigotry, ignorance, greed, lust and paranoia, I've got a career.

At the counter-events to the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City, he chose to perform his song, "Chickenhawk", an indictment of those who approve of militarism as long as neither they nor anyone they know has to be directly involved.[5] His songs are also played regularly on Dr. Demento's radio show.

Zimmerman played in front of military atheists and other left-wing activists in the "Rock Beyond Belief" concert on March 31, 2012 at North Carolina's Fort Bragg.

Roy Zimmerman lives and works in Bay Area's Marin County with his wife and frequent collaborator, Melanie Harby, and their sons Joe and Sam.

Discography

  • Comic Sutra (2004)
  • Security (2004)
  • Homeland (2004)
  • Homeland/Security (combined double album, 2004)
  • Peacenick (2005)
  • Best of the Foremen (2006)
  • Faulty Intelligence (2006)
  • Thanks for the Support (2008)
  • Real American (2010)
  • You're Getting Sleepy (2011)

References

  1. ^ Roy Zimmerman biographical details at his website
  2. ^ San Jose Rep Production History 1980–89
  3. ^ "The Forefathers" at The Foremen website
  4. ^ The Official Foremen Web Site
  5. ^ Holden, Stephen. "THE REPUBLICANS: THE CONVENTION IN NEW YORK -- CABARET REVIEW; A Kerry Impersonator? Well, Bring Him On" (The New York Times, August 31, 2004)

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