Roy Zimmerman
Encyclopedia
Roy Zimmerman is an American
satirical singer-songwriter and guitarist whose self-proclaimed leftist-slanted commentary is primarily focused on social issues and politics.
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). 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.
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. Continuing as a solo act, he explained the philosophy behind writing and performing humorous songs on increasingly political subjects,
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. His songs are also played regularly on Dr. Demento
's radio show.
Roy Zimmerman lives and works in Marin County with his wife and frequent collaborator, Melanie Harby, and their sons Joe and Sam.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
satirical singer-songwriter and guitarist whose self-proclaimed leftist-slanted commentary is primarily focused on social issues and politics.
A native of Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
, Roy Zimmerman wrote, in the early 1980s, a series of satirical musical reviews which were presented in association with the San Jose Repertory Theatre
San Jose Repertory Theatre
The San Jose Repertory Theatre was founded in 1980 by James P. Reber as the first resident professional theatre company in San Jose, California, and is currently the largest non-profit, professional theatre company in the South Bay...
, including "YUP!" (1984), "UP the YUP" (1985) and "YUP it UP!" (1986). The musicals parodied the excesses of the evolving Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley is a term which refers to the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California in the United States. The region is home to many of the world's largest technology corporations...
culture associated with the term Yuppie
Yuppie
Yuppie is a term that refers to a member of the upper middle class or upper class in their 20s or 30s. It first came into use in the early-1980s and largely faded from American popular culture in the late-1980s, due to the 1987 stock market crash and the early 1990s recession...
— 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.
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. Continuing as a solo act, he explained the philosophy behind writing and performing humorous songs on increasingly political subjects,
At the counter-events to the 2004 Republican National Convention
Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention is the presidential nominating convention of the Republican Party of the United States. Convened by the Republican National Committee, the stated purpose of the convocation is to nominate an official candidate in an upcoming U.S...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, 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. His songs are also played regularly on Dr. Demento
Dr. Demento
Barret Eugene Hansen , better known as Dr. Demento, is a radio broadcaster and record collector specializing in novelty songs, comedy, and strange or unusual recordings dating from the early days of phonograph records to the present....
's radio show.
Roy Zimmerman lives and works in Marin County with his wife and frequent collaborator, Melanie Harby, and their sons Joe and Sam.
External links
- Official website
- [ AllMusic Foremen page]