Roy Zimmerman (satirist)

Roy Zimmerman (born October 7, 1957) is an American satirical singer-songwriter and guitarist now based in Northern California.

Roy Zimmerman
Zimmerman performing in 2010
Background information
Born (1957-10-07) October 7, 1957
OriginCalifornia
GenresSatire
Occupation(s)Singer-Songwriter, Satirist
InstrumentsVocals, Guitar, Banjo, Harmonica
Associated actsThe Foremen
Websiteroyzimmerman.com

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).[1] 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.[2]

Zimmerman founded the Southern California satirical folk quartet, The Foremen. It performed at the national conventions of both major American political parties in 1996.[3] 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 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".[4]

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 have been played regularly on the Dr. Demento radio show.[6]

Zimmerman played in the Rock Beyond Belief concert on March 31, 2012, at North Carolina's Fort Bragg.[7] His song was "The Liar Tweets Tonight" - a satiric rendering of The Lion Sleeps Tonight first recorded by The Tokens in 1961. There are 4 versions, with the total view count among the 4 totaling over 11 million. The songs urge people to vote away Donald Trump.

Roy Zimmerman lives and works in Marin County, California, with his wife and 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)
  • The Faucet's on Fire! (2015)

References
  1. 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.
  2. "The Forefathers", The Foremen website]
  3. The Official Foremen Web Site
  4. https://www.antiwarsongs.org/artista.php?id=1353&lang=en&rif=1 accessed 20 May, 2019
  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)
  6. https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/roy_zimmerman accessed 20 May, 2019
  7. "Roy Zimmerman Is Completely on the Radio", Atheist Radio website, accessed 20 May, 2019
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