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{{Short description|American comedian and singer-songwriter (1937–2023)|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{protected}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Biff Rose
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Paul Conrad Rose III
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1937|10|15}}
| birth_place = ], Louisiana, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2023|7|25|1937|10|15}}
| death_place = ], U.S.
| genre = {{hlist|||}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Comedian|Singer-songwriter}}
| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|piano}}
| years_active = {{hlist|1964–2023}}
| label = {{hlist|]|]|]|]|]}}
| associated_acts =
}}


''' Biff Rose''', born '''Paul Conrad Rose III''' (October 15, 1937 – July 25, 2023), was an American comedian and singer-songwriter.
]
'''Paul 'Biff' Rose''' is an ] ].
__TOC__
Biff Rose was a musician and comedian in the early 1960's. Biff Rose arrived in ] in ], where he found employment working as a sketch writer for television ]. Eventually, Rose took up with the ] he developed during his youth growing up in ]. A song co-written with ], "Fill Your Heart", was recorded by both ] and ].


==Biography==
In the meantime, Rose began writing lyrics and combining them with the ] like sounds he produced on the ]. 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 ]'s "]" from 1968 to 1970.
Rose<ref>Lindsay, Sally (July 17, 1971). . ''Pottsville Republican''. Page 27. Retrieved March 23, 2021.</ref> was born in ], Louisiana on October 15, 1937.<ref name="BR's BD">. ]. Retrieved March 23, 2021.</ref><ref>O'Leary, Chris (2015). ''''. John Hunt Publishing. {{ISBN|1780997132}}.</ref> After moving to New york, he joined the Greenwich Village folk scene as a banjo-playing singer/comedian. His popularity led to a ] profile.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 14, 1964 |title=Folk Comedian Picks Audience As Target of Ethnic-Cult Barbs; Biff Rose, Banjoist, Performs Topical-Satirical Ditties at the Gaslight Cafe |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/11/14/archives/folk-comedian-picks-audience-as-target-of-ethniccult-barbs-biff.html |access-date=2023-08-15 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Rose used the profile to generate momentum in his career. He moved to Hollywood where he worked as an actor and writer. While working in television, Rose met ]. The duo started a short songwriting partnership and composed several songs including ‘Fill Your Heart’, which was covered by ] and ‘When Love is Far Away’, featured in ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2013 |title=Interview: Paul Williams |url=https://www.filmcomment.com/blog/interview-paul-williams/ |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=Film Comment |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Crazy Rich Asians (2018) – Soundtracks – IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3104988/soundtrack/ |access-date=2023-08-15 |language=en-US}}</ref>


After releasing his debut album in 1968 Rose made a handful of appearances on Johnny Carson's '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bk-aow/column6.php |title=Columns: April 1969 |publisher=Robert Christgau |access-date=March 18, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.johnnycarson.com/carson/search.do?singleDateMonth=12&singleDateDay=11&singleDateYear=1970 |title=The Official Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson web site |access-date=September 11, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927224331/http://www.johnnycarson.com/carson/search.do?singleDateMonth=12&singleDateDay=11&singleDateYear=1970 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> After the Carson exposure, Rose performed on several other TV programs including '']'',<ref name="Smothersbrothers.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.smothersbrothers.com/episodes.htm |title=Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour – Episode Schedule |publisher=Smothersbrothers.com |access-date=March 18, 2013 |archive-date=August 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811045101/http://smothersbrothers.com/episodes.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> '']'',<ref>{{cite web|author=TV.com |url=http://www.tv.com/joe-south---biff-rose---rhetta-hughes/episode/168294/summary.html |title=American Bandstand – Season 13, Episode 21: Joe South / Biff Rose / Rhetta Hughes |publisher=TV.com |access-date=March 18, 2013}}</ref> and '']''.
]'s ] label released his debut in ]. Rose also recorded albums for ], ], ], and the ] label. He returned to recording in ] 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.
]
==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)


Biff Rose died from liver cancer at 85 in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Biff Rose |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/biff-rose-obituary?pid=205018611 |website=Legacy |access-date=September 8, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Paul "Biff" Rose ~ American comedian / singer-songwriter passed away at the age of 85 at his home in Madison, Wisconsin on Tuesday July 25th. |url=https://www.facebook.com/story.php/?story_fbid=pfbid02uommcUQvD2ei8KAtHMexVZhEKK4RmxWXVdFokFM2kKqAvgsWiYWjRcxDYBihdNdGl&id=587643584 |website=Biff Rose on Facebook |access-date=September 8, 2023 |date=July 28, 2023}}</ref>
===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)


==Music==
==Quotations attributed to Rose==
Rose's first release was 1968's '']'', which contained the song "Buzz the Fuzz".
*''But I'm the MAN that got the Grand Slam hittin' Ho' runs for the masses kick dem jooz'n'nigguhz asses N.A..S.A's Spice Walk and that's what War's For''
*''Hi! I'm Biff Rose. I'm the Messiah. I'm the one the jews have been waiting for to set them free from Zionism. I'm the one they've been waiting for to spurtualize their incessant noise and grasping and grabbing for mutterialism.''
*''My words are just some antics.''
*''There's only two ways to handle women, and no one knows either one of them.''


The song "Fill Your Heart" is Rose's best known composition. Co-written by ], the song was covered ] on the B-side of his 1968 hit single "]".

] recorded Rose's song ‘Fill Your Heart’ for his 1971 album '']''.

] Keyboard player ] worked as a session musician on Hunky Dory .<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rick Wakeman: On 'Piano Portraits,' David Bowie, Yes in the Rock Hall of Fame and More (Q&A) |url=http://www.rockcellarmagazine.com/2017/01/12/rick-wakeman-interview-piano-portraits-yes-rock-roll-hall-of-fame-david-bowie/#sthash.JywzZriC.dpbs |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122175254/http://www.rockcellarmagazine.com/2017/01/12/rick-wakeman-interview-piano-portraits-yes-rock-roll-hall-of-fame-david-bowie/#sthash.JywzZriC.dpbs |archive-date=January 22, 2017 |access-date=August 29, 2017}}</ref> He noted, "I remember going out and getting a Biff Rose album myself as he had obviously influenced David." ''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rick Wakeman: On 'Piano Portraits,' David Bowie, Yes in the Rock Hall of Fame and More (Q&A) – Rock Cellar Magazine |url=https://rockcellarmagazine.com/rick-wakeman-interview-piano-portraits-yes-rock-roll-hall-of-fame-david-bowie/ |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=rockcellarmagazine.com|date=January 12, 2017 }}</ref>

A young ] opened up for Biff Rose at ] in February 1973.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Biff Rose / Bruce Springsteen |url=https://rocktourdatabase.com/content/biff-rose-bruce-springsteen-1 |access-date=2023-08-15}}</ref> In attendance that evening was David Bowie who had gone specifically to see Biff.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=July 30, 2018 |title=David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen: The History of an Unlikely Friendship |url=https://22ndrow.home.blog/2018/07/30/david-bowie-and-bruce-springsteen-the-history-of-an-unlikely-friendship/ |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=The 22nd Row |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=David Bowie's Animated First Reaction To Bruce Springsteen (a top story)::David Bowie News ::antiMusic.com |url=https://www.antimusic.com/news/14/August/ts18David_Bowies_Animated_First_Reaction_To_Bruce_Springsteen.shtml |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=www.antimusic.com}}</ref>

Rose's songs have been recorded by ], ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tracks on Departure – Pat Boone (1969) {{!}} SecondHandSongs |url=https://secondhandsongs.com/release/5195 |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=secondhandsongs.com}}</ref> ] counts Rose as an influence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cat Stevens |url=https://www.majicat.com/articles/sterereview72.htm |access-date=2023-08-15}}</ref>

== Controversy==
In October 2017, ] pointed out that Rose's website contained "blatantly racist and ] material." Interviewer Nate Waggoner said Rose "expresses some views that are definitely not my own." In a published emailed rebuttal, Rose offered racist ideas about Islam as a defense against being anti-Semitic.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=August 18, 2014 |title=An Interview with Biff Rose, Truly Weird Part of Music History |url=https://thetuskdotcom.wordpress.com/2014/08/18/an-interview-with-biff-rose-truly-weird-part-of-music-history/ |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=The Tusk |language=en}}</ref> He continued to post racist and anti-Semitic language and ideas on his websites and social media accounts, including drawings that used visual ] and graphic depictions of ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indyweek.com/music/archives/2017/10/05/heading-to-biff-rose-tonight-you-might-want-to-check-his-website |title=Heading to Biff Rose Tonight? You Might Want to Check His Website |date=October 5, 2017|last=Hussey|first=Allison|access-date=March 12, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tusk2.com/2014/08/18/an-interview-with-biff-rose-truly-weird-part-of-music-history/ |title=An Interview with Biff Rose, Truly Weird Part of Music History |date=August 1, 2014|last=Waggoner|first=Nate|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304192620/http://www.tusk2.com/2014/08/18/an-interview-with-biff-rose-truly-weird-part-of-music-history/ |access-date=March 12, 2019|archive-date=March 4, 2019 }}</ref>

⚫ ==Full-length releases==
⚫ *'']'' (1968)
⚫ *''Children of Light'' (1969)
*''Biff Rose'' (1970)
*''Half Live at the Bitter End'' (1971)<ref name="CG">{{cite book|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|year=1981|title=]|publisher=]|isbn=089919026X|chapter=Consumer Guide '70s: R|chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_chap.php?k=R&bk=70|access-date=March 12, 2019|via=robertchristgau.com}}</ref>
⚫ *''Uncle Jesus, Aunty Christ'' (1972)
*''Hamburger Blues ''<ref>{{Cite web |title=HAMBURGER BLUES, by Biff Rose |url=https://biffrose.bandcamp.com/album/hamburger-blues |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=Biff Rose |language=en}}</ref> (1973)
⚫ *''Roast Beef'' (1978)
⚫ *''Thee Messiah Album/Live at Gatsby's'' (1979)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Stevenson, Salli. . ''UCLA Daily Bruin''. February 4, 1970.
* Dawson, Jim. . ''The Baltimore Sun''. May 29, 1978.


==External links== ==External links==
⚫ * {{Official website|http://www.biffrose.biz/}}
''Official websites''
* * Bandcamp http://www.biffrose.bandcamp.com/
⚫ *
*
*


{{authority control}}
''Other''
* Biography on ]


] {{DEFAULTSORT:Rose, Biff}}
] ]
]
]
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Latest revision as of 19:51, 14 October 2024

American comedian and singer-songwriter (1937–2023)

Biff Rose
Birth namePaul Conrad Rose III
Born(1937-10-15)October 15, 1937
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedJuly 25, 2023(2023-07-25) (aged 85)
Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Occupations
  • Comedian
  • Singer-songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
Years active
  • 1964–2023
Labels
Musical artist

Biff Rose, born Paul Conrad Rose III (October 15, 1937 – July 25, 2023), was an American comedian and singer-songwriter.

Biography

Rose was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 15, 1937. After moving to New york, he joined the Greenwich Village folk scene as a banjo-playing singer/comedian. His popularity led to a New York Times profile. Rose used the profile to generate momentum in his career. He moved to Hollywood where he worked as an actor and writer. While working in television, Rose met Paul Williams. The duo started a short songwriting partnership and composed several songs including ‘Fill Your Heart’, which was covered by David Bowie and ‘When Love is Far Away’, featured in Crazy Rich Asians.

After releasing his debut album in 1968 Rose made a handful of appearances on Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show. After the Carson exposure, Rose performed on several other TV programs including The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, American Bandstand, and Playboy After Dark.

Biff Rose died from liver cancer at 85 in 2023.

Music

Rose's first release was 1968's The Thorn in Mrs. Rose's Side, which contained the song "Buzz the Fuzz".

The song "Fill Your Heart" is Rose's best known composition. Co-written by Paul Williams, the song was covered Tiny Tim on the B-side of his 1968 hit single "Tiptoe through the Tulips".

David Bowie recorded Rose's song ‘Fill Your Heart’ for his 1971 album Hunky Dory.

Yes Keyboard player Rick Wakeman worked as a session musician on Hunky Dory . He noted, "I remember going out and getting a Biff Rose album myself as he had obviously influenced David."

A young Bruce Springsteen opened up for Biff Rose at Max's Kansas City in February 1973. In attendance that evening was David Bowie who had gone specifically to see Biff.

Rose's songs have been recorded by John Denver, Vetiver (band) and Pat Boone. Cat Stevens counts Rose as an influence.

Controversy

In October 2017, Indy Week pointed out that Rose's website contained "blatantly racist and anti-Semitic material." Interviewer Nate Waggoner said Rose "expresses some views that are definitely not my own." In a published emailed rebuttal, Rose offered racist ideas about Islam as a defense against being anti-Semitic. He continued to post racist and anti-Semitic language and ideas on his websites and social media accounts, including drawings that used visual ethnic stereotypes and graphic depictions of homophobia and misogyny.

Full-length releases

  • The Thorn in Mrs. Rose's Side (1968)
  • Children of Light (1969)
  • Biff Rose (1970)
  • Half Live at the Bitter End (1971)
  • Uncle Jesus, Aunty Christ (1972)
  • Hamburger Blues (1973)
  • Roast Beef (1978)
  • Thee Messiah Album/Live at Gatsby's (1979)

References

  1. Lindsay, Sally (July 17, 1971). "Youth Beat". Pottsville Republican. Page 27. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  2. Paul Conrad Rose, III United States Public Records, 1970–2009. FamilySearch. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  3. O'Leary, Chris (2015). Rebel Rebel: All the Songs of David Bowie From '64 to '76. John Hunt Publishing. ISBN 1780997132.
  4. "Folk Comedian Picks Audience As Target of Ethnic-Cult Barbs; Biff Rose, Banjoist, Performs Topical-Satirical Ditties at the Gaslight Cafe". The New York Times. November 14, 1964. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  5. "Interview: Paul Williams". Film Comment. February 27, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  6. Crazy Rich Asians (2018) – Soundtracks – IMDb, retrieved August 15, 2023
  7. "Columns: April 1969". Robert Christgau. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  8. "The Official Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson web site". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved September 11, 2005.
  9. "Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour – Episode Schedule". Smothersbrothers.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  10. TV.com. "American Bandstand – Season 13, Episode 21: Joe South / Biff Rose / Rhetta Hughes". TV.com. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  11. "Biff Rose". Legacy. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  12. "Paul "Biff" Rose ~ American comedian / singer-songwriter passed away at the age of 85 at his home in Madison, Wisconsin on Tuesday July 25th". Biff Rose on Facebook. July 28, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  13. "Rick Wakeman: On 'Piano Portraits,' David Bowie, Yes in the Rock Hall of Fame and More (Q&A)". Archived from the original on January 22, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  14. "Rick Wakeman: On 'Piano Portraits,' David Bowie, Yes in the Rock Hall of Fame and More (Q&A) – Rock Cellar Magazine". rockcellarmagazine.com. January 12, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  15. "Biff Rose / Bruce Springsteen". Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  16. "David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen: The History of an Unlikely Friendship". The 22nd Row. July 30, 2018. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  17. "David Bowie's Animated First Reaction To Bruce Springsteen (a top story)::David Bowie News ::antiMusic.com". www.antimusic.com. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  18. "Tracks on Departure – Pat Boone (1969) | SecondHandSongs". secondhandsongs.com. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  19. "Cat Stevens". Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  20. "An Interview with Biff Rose, Truly Weird Part of Music History". The Tusk. August 18, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  21. Hussey, Allison (October 5, 2017). "Heading to Biff Rose Tonight? You Might Want to Check His Website". Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  22. Waggoner, Nate (August 1, 2014). "An Interview with Biff Rose, Truly Weird Part of Music History". Archived from the original on March 4, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  23. Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: R". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 12, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  24. "HAMBURGER BLUES, by Biff Rose". Biff Rose. Retrieved August 15, 2023.

Further reading

External links

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