“Billy Rose”

Helping to build the industry we’re in today!

His life, his work, his love of flair for performers, and their life and times —always in a faster lane than most!

“Rose was born in New York City. While in high school, Billy studied shorthand. He won a dictation contest taking over 150 words per minute, and writing forward or backward with either hand. Billy Rose began his career as a stenographic clerk to Bernard Baruch of the War Industries Board during World War I and became head of the clerical staff. Later he became a lyricist. In this role, he is best known as the credited writer or co-writer of the lyrics to “Me and My Shadow,” “Great Day”, “Does the Spearmint Lose Its Flavor on the Bedpost Overnight”, “I Found a Million Dollar Baby”, and “It’s Only a Paper Moon”. He went on to become a Broadway producer and a theatre/nightclub owner. In June 1934, he opened The Billy Rose Music Hall at 52nd and Broadway in New York with the first Benny Goodman Orchestra.”