Renowned recording artist Bif Naked takes the stage at Mary Winspear Centre, February 19 at 7:30 pm and it’s sure to be a memorable performance.
Born in secret to a teenager living in India, the product of a Canadian girl and a British boy, Bif was rejected by both families, hidden away in a psychiatric hospital from her diplomat-grandparents’ society and politico friends.
Adopted by American missionaries, it took years of legal hurdles, but eventually Bif and her adopted sister were released from India and sent to North America.
Bif embarked on what she recalls with humour as a “charmed life.” Experiencing a childhood of secret abuse, running away, targeted beatings by girl gangs, she was institutionalized for alcohol abuse as a teenager and sexually targeted, preyed upon by a long list of adult predators. She escaped this early life by joining a punk rock band and left on tour, eventually marrying the drummer, becoming pregnant and, under extreme duress, having an abortion. She later terminated the marriage and continued on a deadly downward spiral, which culminated when she hit the floor of a Vancouver drug den overdosed.
All of this was before her 21st birthday.
Through it all, her creative and academic potential and her unstoppable humour were her weapons of self defence. Bif showcased her life’s journey etched in tattoo ink across her body and, with her unique ability to transform her true life stories into song lyrics, she found her voice as a solo artist, started her own record company called Her Royal Majesty’s Records and, at 23 years of age, became a platinum and gold album-selling international recording artist.
Throughout her remarkable career, armed with a unique talent and instantly identifiable look, Bif captivated the imagination of audiences and media alike, releasing 10 albums and 24 videos. She embarked on seemingly endless international tours, took on several feature films and multiple television roles, only to be struck down with breast cancer at the age of 37. The newly married Bif would discover a passion for advocacy, and a triumphant return to health and what she cherished most of all—her own resilience, strength and her unfaltering relationships with her dogs. It’s already been a long, winding road…and this is Bif Naked’s story so far.
Proof of second vaccine required for anyone over the age of 12, along with government issued ID for those 19+.