FELIPE ROSE
(SWIFT ARROW)
What happens when the performance of a person becomes the trademark of a personality? Felipe Rose, is he a puzzle?...urban myth? Felipe Rose is best known as the Native American Indian attired vocalist in the world famous VILLAGE PEOPLE.
Having spent the last 30 years involved in one of the most visible and active groups in pop music, VILLAGE PEPLE are often imitated, but never duplicated, and they are still traveling the globe.
Now heading into their third decade as the Ambassadors of Disco, VILLAGE PEOPLE have been included in special events in Europe, sporting events and ultra-mega birthday parties.
Felipe is a native New Yorker, having been raised in Brooklyn, New York. His Puerto Rican mother and Native American father (Lakota Sioux) are reflected in the clothing that he dons to perform, and even long before the birth of mega group - VILLAGE PEOPLE.
This is not just a costume but also a signifier of where he comes from and his long association with Native American groups across the country. Felipe has been called a "shadow walker", a Native term for walking in two worlds.
Throughout his childhood he displayed intense creative interest in the arts. His mother was a source of tremendous encouragement. She was, in fact, a Copa Cabana dancer in the late 1940s and early 1950s, so music and show business were a constant influence in his home life and beyond. Felipe's talent manifested itself at an early age and by 16 he had secured a scholorship with the Ballet de Puerto Rico, under the supervision of Pasqual Guzman. During his tenure with the ballet company, and while performing at New York's LIncoln Center, a choreographed dance-drama recital of "Julia de Burgos", the story of the famous Puerto Rican poetess whose life was cut short com committing suicide. The New York Post called his performance "poiganant and compelling". This review is what got Felipe fired up and he knew that it would be his destiny. To learn more about Felipe's mother's cultural island background, please visit Puerto Rico's website - www.puertorico.com.
Felipe's native aunt later introduced him to the different influences in dance. Honoring his father's heritage, he dresses in his tribal regalia, using dance as his journey through his native culture.
While dancing at a New York nightclub in his full Native American regalia he was approached by French music producers Henri Belolo and the late Jacques Morali.
Felipe's performance that fateful night led to what has become the worldwide phenomenon that is VILLAGE PEOPLE.
While the producers were busy with the new members of the group, Felipe was sent to Paris, France, where he choreographed a native dance number for the famous "Crazy Horse Saloon". As the group's founding member, Felipe is much credited with being the inspiration of putting together a group of people representing all types of New York's Greenwich Village.
His keen visual sense and performance experience led to input and direction for the entire concept of the group representing a true sense of tribalship. Felipe regards the members of the group as brothers...family.
The VILLAGE PEOPLE have become and remain a pop culture mainstay of the music scene, touring the world and becoming a family of performers that brings Felipe comaradrie and consistency of life. To the world, they remind people of a simpler time and fond memories on the dance floor. And what a journey it became selling more than 60 million recordings (1978 Dance Music Report)! VILLAGE PEOPLE wer an instant phenomenon with hits "San Francisco/Hollywood", "Macho Man", "Y.M.C.A.", "In the Navy", "Go West" and more!
The Disco Era is in full bloom! Madonna and Joan Rivers are among the artists who have appeared as opening acts for VILLAGE PEOPLE in Las Vegas.
The group wins many worldwide awards including the American Music Award "Favorite Musical Group 1979", AFVA's Award for Music Excellence, Brazil's 1981 Award for Best Act, etc.
The VILLAGE PEOPLE even star in their own 1980 major feature movie "Can't Stop the Music", costarring Steve Guttenberg, Bruce Jenner, Valerie Perrine, Paul Sand, June Havoc, Tammy Grimes and directed by Nancy Walker. It remains a popular cult film around the world. VILLAGE PEOPLE hit the cover of "Rolling Stone" and are featured in Guiness Book of Hits, Time Playboy, Playgirl, GQ, US, People, Paris Match, World Book Encyclopedia, Dick Clark's 25 Years of Rock 'n Roll and hundreds more. Television appearances include "The Love Boat", "Bob Hope Show", "20/20" (twice), "American Bandstand", "Solid Gold" "Soul Train", "Midnight Special" and dozens more in more than 30 countries.
Never content to be one thing and rest with the fame, Felipe brought his talents to other ventures. In the 1980s he sang and danced with the late Latin music maestro Tito Puente and starred in a regional theatre production of "West Side Story" in the role of Bernardo.
In 1996 he started the Tomahawk Group, an innovative entertainment company that encoumpasses song writing and recording development. Having developed a production company that handled VILLAGE PEOPLE releases and songs that represent the making of the group's show. He produced various artists and now turned his focus on himself.
In 2001, Felipe "Swift Arrow" Rose began to work on his first solo endeavor reflecting his experiences and dreams fulfilling a long-standing goal of recording songs that he had written and produced with his longtime composer-arranger, Forrest Lawson of Frostbite Productions. His single "Trail of Tears" was nominated for three NAMMY'S (Native American Music Awards) for the Best Historical Recording; Song of the Year; and Best Producer-Forrest Lawson and Tomahawk Records. Felipe was given the honor of opening the 5th Annual Native American Music Awards at the Marcus Amphitheatre in Milwaukee, WI and brought the crowd to its feet! To view that performance go www.myspace.com/feliperose. That evening Felipe took home the NAMMY for 2002 Best Historical Recording.
In 2003, Felipe released his follow-up with "We're Still Here", the Virginia Indians Tell Their Story. Nominated for five NAMMYS, Rose and Lawson brought home "Song/Single of the Year". In a third attempt in 2005 to keep his fellow Native artists on their toes, Rose and Lawson and Ric Morris, produced a labor of love - a tribute album/cd of the late Thomasina E. Jordan, of song/spoken word/Hip-Hop/ and poetry. They received ten nominations and won three NAMMY'S - "Songwriters of the Year" and "Best Hip-Hop" for Native Rapper - Shadowyze.
For his 51st birthday in January 2005, Felipe donated a gold single of the band's 1978 hit signature song "Y.M.C.A." to the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American IIndian in Washigonton, D. C.,an event the was covered by Smithsonian Magazine and received international media attention. Prior to the presentation, Felipe sat down for an interview with NPR's Scott Simon to discuss his life, music, and multiple charitable affiliations. "I want to leave something for my indigenous hertitage, " said Rose. "The gold record represents the diversity of the Native heritage in music and entertainment; it transcends ancient culture into pop culture."
In February, 2006, in Hollywood, Florida Felipe donated from his personal collection, the VILLAGE PEOPLE's first gold record, a feathered headress and tour jacket to the Seminole Tribe of Florida and their Seminole Hard Rock Casino, two days after the VILLAGE PEOPLE's private performance.
A much sought after personality, Felipe is constantly approached to appear at, and host, charitable events. Needless to say, all requests can not be granted. However, in February, 2007 Felipe joined the The Hospice and Palliative Care of Greater Louisville, KY to host their first annual Disco Ball Fundraiser. At the event Felipe was presented with the state's highest award - The Honorary Kentucky Colonel! The Governor of Kentucky declared February 3rd, 2007 "Disco Day in Louisvillle, Kentucky".
For more information please go to the following websites:
www.officialvillagepeople.com
www.myspace.com/feliperose
www.feliperose.com
Happy Spring! Within the next few days, you will be able to hear my fathers new single... From The East To The West which will also be on my playlist!
Craziest Costumed Acts: No. 3 ON AOL.COM 2008
THE Village People!!
If men in uniform get you hot and bothered, chances are you've been touched by the one and only Village People. Not only did the six-member disco machine succeed at fetishizing both the Navy and the YMCA, they made sure that biker cops, construction workers and cigar-store Indians would be ogled by gay men till the end of time.
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