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Paul "Biff" Rose is an American comedian and singer-songwriter. David Bowie covered the song "Fill Your Heart", co-written by Rose and Paul Williams, on his album Hunky Dory (1971). The song was also the B-side to Tiny Tim's 1968 single, "Tiptoe through the Tulips." Bowie played another Rose song, "Buzz the Fuzz," in live performance . Other Rose songs were covered by John Denver and Pat Boone .
Following the release of 1968's The Thorn in Mrs. Rose's Side, Rose made 12 appearances on Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show from 1968 to 1970. . He performed his songs on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, American Bandstand , and Hugh Hefner's Playboy After Dark . He emceed the Atlantic City Pop Festival of 1969 , and the Atlanta Pop Festival of 1970 . 1978's Roast Beef was produced by Mike Nesmith and recorded in a single take.
music critic, Mike Regenstreif has described as "hateful" the lyrics of Rose's later songs and says that Rose's website, ww.biffrose.net has racial stereotypes and anti-semitic language.
2005 has seen two small indie (music) labels reissue some of Rose's earlier work. A US CD gathers his Tetragrammaton releases, and a UK compilation issues some of Rose's recordings from 1968 through 1985.
Self released
- Biff, Cliff, and Warren (1961)
- Banjo and Ballyhoo (1963, Angry Young Man Records)
- Bone Again (1996, Fast Eddy)
- The Elizabethan Period (2000, GoddessOne)
- E-Stir Parade (2003, Wascals)
- Live At The Earl Of Oldtown (recorded 1977, released 2003, Wascals)
- The Knight Wigguh and the Nippie Higger (2004, Wascals)
Singles
- Take Care of My Brother/Myrtle's Pies (1969, Tetragrammaton)
- Rudolph (1971, United Artists)
Out of Print Compilations
- Urban (folk) Renewal: Blue Dog Cellar (1962, Kimberly)
- Put Your Hand in the Hand (mid 1970's, Pickwick)
In Print Compilations
- The Acoustic Highway Collection: The Road To Country Rock (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
- Promotion for the Water Records Compilation includes very detailed bio of Biff Rose by Thom Moore.
- 2005 Interview in Bay Guardian by Kimberly Chun
- Reviews of Biff's albums 1968-1970
- Robert Christgau column, Esquire, Apr. 1969, reviews an early Tonight Show appearance.
- Robert Christgau review of Half Live at the Bitter End comedy album, further commentary on "Tonight Show" appearances, 1971.
- Biff Rose Richie Unterberger's review of 1972 album Uncle Jesus Auntie Christ
- Biff Rose Richie Unterberger's biography on allmusic.com.
- Here and here are references to Bruce Springsteen's Jan-Feb 1973 Max Kansas City shows opening for Biff Rose.
- 2004 Paul Williams liner notes compliment Biff Rose.
Links
- Biff Rose's official website
- Biff Rose's message board Biff Rose's musings.