Roy Zimmerman (satirist)

Roy Zimmerman

Zimmerman performing in 2010
Background information
Born (1957-10-07) October 7, 1957
Origin California
Genres Satire
Occupation(s) Singer-Songwriter, Satirist
Instruments Vocals, Guitar, Banjo, Harmonica
Associated acts The Foremen
Website royzimmerman.com

Roy Zimmerman (born October 7, 1957) is an American satirical singer-songwriter and guitarist now based in Northern California. He has a leftist political philosophy which is focused on social issues and politics.[1]

Biography

A native of Southern California, Roy Zimmerman wrote a series of satirical musical reviews in the 1980s that were produced by 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 yuppie culture in Silicon Valley. The songs included "Teen-age Computer Tycoon", "The Bay Area Sprawl", and "I Want to Be in a Pepsi Commercial," which many Bay Area professionals have remembered since their young adult years.[3]

Zimmerman founded the Southern California satirical folk quartet, The Foremen. It performed at the national conventions of both major American political parties in 1996.[4] Continuing as a solo act, Zimmerman 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 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."

Among the counter-events to the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City, Zimmerman performed his song, "Chickenhawk." It indicts those who approve of militarism as long as neither they nor anyone they know has to be directly involved.[5] His songs are played regularly on the radio show Dr. Demento.

Zimmerman played in the Rock Beyond Belief concert on March 31, 2012, at North Carolina's Fort Bragg.

Roy Zimmerman lives and works in Marin County, California, with his wife and collaborator, Melanie Harby, and their sons Joe and Sam.

Discography

References

  1. ↑ Zimmerman, Roy (2010). "Bio". Roy Zimmerman. Metaphor Records. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  2. ↑ San Jose Repertory Theatre (July 15, 1997). "Show History for San Jose Rep". Archived from the original on July 25, 1997. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  3. ↑ "The Forefathers", 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, 31 August 2004)
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