Rosemary Butler began her career playing bass and singing in an all-girl band named the Ladybirds. The band appeared on
several LA area television shows before opening for the Rolling Stones in 1964. She then joined all-female hard rock band called
Birtha who released two albums for Dunhill Records.
After Birtha split up in 1973, Rosemary went on to become a very popular and sought-after back-up singer in
the late 1970s and early '80s. As a featured singer, her sound was a key element of Jackson Browne's band as well
as Bonnie Raitt's band. Rosemary's vocals were featured on Bonnie Raitt's album Sweet Forgiveness, on the songs
"Gamblin' Man", "Runaway", "Sweet Forgiveness", and "Two Lives."
Rosemary Butler's list of musical collaborations is quite extensive, and includes artists such as Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor,
Warren Zevon, Neil Young, Rosanne Cash, Dolly Parton, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Bob Seger, Sarah Brightman,
Julio Iglesias, Aaron Neville, Kenny Loggins, The Doobie Brothers, The Eagles, Joni Mitchell, Bette Midler, Vanessa Williams,
Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Andrea Bocelli, Dan Fogelberg, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion,
Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Jimmy Buffet, Emmylou Harris, Ray Charles, Rod Stewart and many others.
Rosemary sang the opening track "Riding High" for the Japanese motion picture soundtrack Dirty Hero in 1982. She was also
Co-Contractor of the 100 voice choir on Neil Young's album Living With War. She has vocal coached numerous famous voices.
She cofounded "The National In Choir," an LA-based volunteer holiday choir with singer/lyricist Deborah Pearl. In 1983, she released
a solo album titled Rose, and her brand new solo CD titled You Just Watch Me! was released in late 2013.
|
