Lizzy Mercier was born in 1956 in Les Halles, in the center of Paris. After some time at The Beaux Arts, she left for New York in 1975, where she contributed in the creation of the French magazine "Rock News" with Michel Esteban, and in so doing, became part of the New York's underground scene. It was the beginning of a long love story with New York. She published a collection of poems and photographs, "Desiderata", prefaced and illustrated by her friend Patti Smith, with contributions by Richard Hell.

In 1976, she decided to move to New York. She bought a Fender Jazzmaster guitar and began the rounds of the Soho galleries and Lower East side clubs in duo. In 1978 under the name of Rosa Yemen, she recorded a first six titles LP, on the now cult label, ZE Records, launched by Michael Zilkha and Michel Esteban. She became involved in the birth of the City's "New Cinema" acting in a number of short films including Amos Poe's "Blank Generation". She also wrote an ode to Andreas Baader for the music of Diego Cortez' film "Grutzy Elvis". In 1979, she released her first album ³Press Color" recorded in New York, on ZE Records. It was at this time that she met Jean Michel Basquiat, in whom she found a kindred spirit.

In 1981, she recorded her second album "Mambo Nassau", at Compass Point Studio in Nassau, Bahamas. It was to be the start of a deep relationship with Africa. In 1982 she went on a promo tour in Asia, via Bangkok, Hong Kong, Macao, Seoul and Japan....

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