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 Birtha who released two albums for Dunhill Records. After they split in 1973 she became a popular back-up singer in the late 1970s and early ’80s. Her vocals were featured on Bonnie Raitt’s album, Sweet Forgiveness, on songs “Gamblin’ Man”, “Runaway”, “Sweet Forgiveness”, and “Two Lives.”
Butler has worked extensively as a back-up singer for Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Warren Zevon, Neil Young, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, and Rosanne Cash among others. She released a solo album, Rose, in 1983.
She sang in Japanese motion picture soundtrack Dirty Hero, its title track “Riding High” 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 the album ”Rose” was released by Capitol Records. The solo debut of Rosemary Butler was originally planned and released only for Japanese market in 1983. In those days, Rosemary Butler was very active in Japan with 3 Japanese movie theme songs such as “Call Of The World” for the movie “Winning Run” and/or “Children Of The Light” for the animated movie “Genma Taisen”.
The label Magic Records this reissued the album in 2000 on CD in France. The tracklisting of this reissued CD is different from the original Japanese version with songs writing by: Glen Ballard, Clif Magness and Jay Gruska.
Discography
Rose
Magic Records 2000
Tracks: Through Different Eyes, What You Really Want, Tears in the Night, You Light up the Night, Call of the Wild, Imagination, Just Can't Let Go, Choto Mate, Take The Floor & First To Know.
Musicians on the Rose album: Rosemary Butler, Michael Boddicker, Michael Ruff, Steve Leonard, Mark Goldenberg, Craig Doerge, Bill Payne, William "Smitty" Smith, Andrew Gold, Josh Leo, Snuffy Weldon, Peter Bernstein, Bob Glaub, Kenny Edwards, Brian Garofalo, Michael Botts, Harry Stinson, Cliff Magness, Linda Ronstadt, Nicolette Larson, Doug Haywood, Arnold McCuller, Eric Lowen, Debbie Pearl & Max Gronenthal.
Rose
Capitol Records 1983
Tracks: Through Different Eyes, What You Really Want, Tears in the Night, You Light up the Night, Call of the Wild, Imagination, Just Can’t Let Go, Choto Mate, Take The Floor & First To Know.
Musicians on the Rose album: Rosemary Butler, Michael Boddicker, Michael Ruff, Steve Leonard, Mark Goldenberg, Craig Doerge, Bill Payne, William “Smitty” Smith, Andrew Gold, Josh Leo, Snuffy Weldon, Peter Bernstein, Bob Glaub, Kenny Edwards, Brian Garofalo, Michael Botts, Harry Stinson, Cliff Magness, Linda Ronstadt, Nicolette Larson, Doug Haywood, Arnold McCuller, Eric Lowen, Debbie Pearl & Max Gronenthal.
Rose
Eastworld 1983
Tracks: Call Of The Wild, I Just Can Let Go, Riding High, What You Really Want, The Last Hero, When A Man Loves A Woman, You Light Up The Night, Chotto Matte Kudasai, Tears In The Night & Children Of The Light.
Musicians on the Rose album: Rosemary Butler, Michael Boddicker, Michael Ruff, Steve Leonard, Mark Goldenberg, Craig Doerge, Bill Payne, William "Smitty" Smith, Andrew Gold, Josh Leo, Snuffy Weldon, Peter Bernstein, Bob Glaub, Kenny Edwards, Brian Garofalo, Michael Botts, Harry Stinson, Cliff Magness, Linda Ronstadt, Nicolette Larson, Doug Haywood, Arnold McCuller, Eric Lowen, Debbie Pearl & Max Gronenthal.