Within the pages of my site I hope to
share with you not only my career, but
my roots and heritage as a
Native American/Puerto Rican man.
Please won't you join me on my
life's journey and learn what is
important to me.
Not just as an entertainer but a man.
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 PEOPLE 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 possibly cut
short by 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 - http://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)!
THE VILLAGE PEOPLE were 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 NAMMYS (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!
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 NAMMYS
"Songwriters of the Year"
"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 Indian in Washington, 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 headdress 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:
I would like to honor all our brothers
sisters who have fought the battles in
this Country. I have included something
that touches my Heart and Spirit.
Please join me in silent prayer for all
or fallen Warrior's, click on the
picture below to honor one of our
brothers trip back home.
Please give my site a vote on ..
"Cry Of Wolves Top Sites"
Thank you ..
I hope you will follow me on this journey..
Thank you ..Aho..
Felipe Rose/ Swift Arrow..
Music is not my only passion, I love to Paint
and take pictures of all of the Great Spirit's
creations. Join me if you will to my Art Gallary.
~Copyright disclaimer~
All songs through out my website are for my evaluation(s)
and/or music listening and educational purposes only.
All copyrights holders still retain any and all of their rights.
Please support all recording artists by purchasing their CD's/Tapes.
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