Bob was born in the Bronx on March 20th,1933.
One of four boys (three of them gay), his liberal New York City
parents allowed their son to explore his love of theater from a
young age.
Its no stretch to say Bob has lived a fabulous life pursuing all of
his interests…fashion, performing, writing and philanthropy.
Coming to the Grove with the nickname “Rose” already
established…in the private queer safe haven of Cherry Grove
he unleashed a cabaret career that would span decades.
Making Bob (and Rose) famous all over the world.
When Bob arrived in Cherry Grove the town was very basic,
but the layout was pretty much like it still is today, though
there were fewer cottages and almost no vegitation.
Visitors paid $5 to rent a room for the weekend.
ACT OF REBELLION
Whether he was going to parties in pearls or camping it up at community
events, Bob was not only defying the morality codes at the time, he was
also crafting the persona of “Rose Levine” while performing on the stage
of the Cherry Grove Community House and Theater.
ROSE OF CHERRY GROVE FAME
Martin Kraft was a producer and dancer on
Broadway, and he was the genius mind that
took the song “Rose of Washington Square”
and reworked the lyrics for Bob.
“Rose of Cherry Grove Fame” easily became Rose Levine’s theme song in all her shows.
The first talkie we see from Rose is in a production of “All American Boy” in 1983.
As more filming of shows occurred through the following decades, its hard to find a production that Rose was not a featured performer.
In 2021 Bob wrote about his visit to the New York Historical Society to see a photo of
himself in the CGAC Exhibition “SAFE/HAVEN: Gay Life in 1950s Cherry Grove”.
INVASION OF THE PINES
The Invasion of the Pines may just be a massive
party today, but it started as an act of political
protest in 1976.
In response to discrimination of a Grove queen
named Teri Warren when she went to have dinner
in the Pines, a small group of Grove residents
adorned themselves in campy drag (the men in
dresses and the women in leather) so they could
hop on a water taxi, storm into the Pines harbor
and demand to be served.
Unexpectedly, the local crowd was cheering when
they arrived, and a new (much loved) Fire Island
tradition would be born.
Bob Levine was one of the original invaders and
in his newspaper column at the time, Bob coined
the term “The Invasion” when he wrote about the
happening, which would go on to become one of
the most iconic LGBTQ+ events in the world.
Since the original Invasion, every year Rose has
been part of the annual drag explosion.
FRIENDS, ICONS AND LOVERS
But also takes pride to have been directed by legends such as
Martin Kraft, Randy Riggs, Donald LaBohn and Sal Piro.
“Rose” truly has earned icon status, but it is the relationships
that were forged that were the memories Bob treasures most.
Both his partners have been great supporters of “Rose” too.
After Larry passed in 1991, Bob met Michael a few years later,
and he too had just lost his long-term partner to the AIDS crisis.
Somehow they came together just as they both were pulling
themselves out of years of grief for their lost loves.
They bonded immediately over their love of art and fashion,
resulting in a relationship that has lasted more than 25 years.
ALL ABOUT BOB
In 2018 “Rose” was crowned Homecoming Queen!
Outside of Fire Island, “Rose” has most recently performed at the Friar’s Club,
Pangia NYC and Act2 in Puerto Vallarta.
And in 2025 “Rose” was award the title of Oldest Performing Drag Queen by
the Guiness World Book of Records.
Eclectic. Iconic. Bob Levine has been entertaining
the community of Cherry Grove as his alter ego
"Rose" for 70 years and he is still going strong.
Spending summers at his home “Roseland” in
the Grove, Bob always surrounds himself with
a colorful cast of characters and has weathered
many storms to become a well-loved queer
personality known by people everywhere.
