# Biff Rose: Forgotten Singer-Songwriter

> Biff Rose, the New Orleans singer-songwriter who opened for Bruce Springsteen and had David Bowie in the audience, died at 85 after a liver cancer battle.
- Title: Biff Rose: Forgotten Singer-Songwriter · American Songwriter
- Summary: Biff Rose, the New Orleans singer-songwriter who opened for Bruce Springsteen and had David Bowie in the audience, died at 85 after a liver cancer battle…
- Keywords: biff rose, bruce springsteen, david bowie, folk music, maxs kansas city, liver cancer, new orleans, music, culture, Biff, Rose, Forgotten
- Source: American Songwriter — https://americansongwriter.com/born-89-years-ago-today-in-the-big-easy-the-forgotten-singer-songwriter-who-had-bruce-springsteen-as-his-opening-act-and-david-bowie-in-the-audience
- Author: Melanie Davis
- Published: 2026-10-15T18:15:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: biff rose, bruce springsteen, david bowie, folk music, maxs kansas city, liver cancer, new orleans, music, culture
## Biff Rose's Early Career
Biff Rose emerged from New Orleans in the 1960s folk scene, performing for rock stars like Bruce Springsteen and David Bowie.
## Bruce Springsteen Opening Act
Bruce Springsteen opened for Rose at Max’s Kansas City on February 2, 1973, with David Bowie in attendance.
## Bowie's 1971 Album Feature
Bowie included Rose’s song 'Fill Your Heart' on his 1971 album Hunky Dory with Paul Williams.
## Rose's Later Controversies
Rose became anti-Semitic, racist, and homophobic, using offensive language and claiming to be the 'prince of darkies'.

> prince of darkies
## Rose's Death
Rose died in Madison, Wisconsin on July 25, 2023, at age 85 after a liver cancer battle.
## Key takeaway

Biff Rose, a New Orleans singer-songwriter who opened for Bruce Springsteen and had David Bowie in attendance, died at 85 after a liver cancer battle.