Patsy Biscoe
| Patsy Biscoe | |
|---|---|
| Born |
March 21, 1946 Shimla, India |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Known for | Television personality, singer and guitarist |
Patsy Biscoe AM (born 21 March 1946) is an Australian television personality, singer and guitarist, notable for her appearances on children's television shows Here's Humphrey and Fat Cat and Friends. She has also released many children's albums containing nursery rhymes and similar children's songs and has sold in excess of 500,000 units in her musical career.
Biography
Biscoe was born in Shimla, India, to a British army officer and civil servant. She came to Australia with her family due to the Partition of India, grew up in Sydney, and moved with her family to Sandy Bay in Hobart when she was nine. She won a classical singing scholarship after making an unscheduled appearance at the St Mary's College annual eisteddfod. While studying medicine at the University of Tasmania, she sang and played some guitar in the Sunday night jazz club. Her studies and fledgling career were interrupted by a car accident which damaged her sight.[1] She covered a scar on her face from the accident with what became her distinctive long-fringed haircut.
She was a finalist in the Starflight International talent quest of the Australian television show Bandstand, competing for an overseas trip and a recording contract. She recorded her first LP in Sydney in 1965 with CBS records.[1]
She gained fame in her adopted home of Adelaide in South Australia when she regularly appeared on the Nine Network children's show Here's Humphrey, and later as a presenter on another popular children's show based in Adelaide, Channel Niners. She also made appearances as a singer on Fat Cat and Friends.
Biscoe has been Deputy Mayor of the Barossa Council local government area, a naturopath, and Chair of the Tanunda Town Committee.[2]
During the early 1990s, Biscoe was parodied by Adelaide comedian Glynn Nicholas who played Paté Biscuit on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation television comedy show, The Big Gig. Biscoe appeared in several episodes with Nicholas, one time tying up Biscuit and taking his place on the show with Bongo, Biscuit's hand puppet. She also appeared on the show using her own hand puppet, Bongette—the female counterpart of Bongo. When on screen together, neither Bongo nor Bongette could hide their attraction for the other.
Recognition
Biscoe was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2016 for her services to music and her local community.[3]
Discography
- The Voice of Patsy Biscoe
- Patsy Biscoe: 50 Favourite Nursery Rhymes Volume One
- Patsy Biscoe: 50 Favourite Nursery Rhymes Volume Two
- Patsy Biscoe: 50 Favourite Nursery Rhymes Volume Three
- These are available as a boxed set as 150 Favourite Nursery Rhymes.
- Patsy Biscoe: Rock'N'Roll
- Patsy Biscoe: Once Upon A Time
- Patsy Biscoe: Who Built The Ark?
- Patsy Biscoe: Songs For Sunday
- Patsy Biscoe: Sings Favourite Children's Songs
- Patsy Biscoe: A Lullaby For All Children
- Patsy Biscoe: Kids Karaoke
- Patsy's Christmas Album
References
- 1 2 Turnbull, Malcolm J. "The Folk Revival in Tasmania 1964–1972", accessed 22 December 2007.
- ↑ "About". Patsy Biscoe's website. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
- ↑ Opie, Rebecca (25 January 2016). "Australia Day honours: Children's entertainer Patsy Biscoe made Member of the Order of Australia". ABC News. Retrieved 26 January 2016.