Amanda McBroom, born on August 9, 1947, in Woodland Hills, California, is a celebrated American singer-songwriter and actress. She gained international recognition when Bette Midler's rendition of her song "The Rose" became a global hit in 1979. This song has been covered by numerous artists, including Barry Manilow, Judy Collins, and LeAnn Rimes, among others.

McBroom's talents extend beyond songwriting; she is also a distinguished performer. She has been lauded by the New York Times as the greatest cabaret performer of her generation, noted for her profound lyrics and exceptional vocal abilities. Her live performances have graced prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Angel Place Recital Hall in Sydney, Australia.

In theater, McBroom has starred in productions of Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris across New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Europe. She made her Broadway debut in the musical Seesaw and has appeared in productions of Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, and Mame. Her passion for musical theater led her to create Heartbeats, a musical based on her songs, which debuted in 1989 and has been performed in over 15 regional theaters in the United States.

As a lyricist, McBroom has collaborated extensively with Michele Brourman, writing songs for 16 animated films, including The Land Before Time series and Balto II: Wolf Quest. Her work in television includes guest roles in popular series such as Starsky & Hutch, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and M*A*S*H, and she has contributed her voice to children's cartoons like The Smurfs and The Richie Rich/Scooby-Doo Show.

McBroom's discography includes several albums released on her own label, Gecko, which she established in 1985. Her notable recordings include Voices, Dreaming, and A Woman of Will. Her first two vinyl recordings, Growing Up In Hollywood Town and West of OZ, were recorded direct-to-disc and have been praised by audiophiles.

In 2016, McBroom successfully crowdfunded her album Voices through a Kickstarter campaign, raising over $43,000. Her recent projects include writing songs for the 2024 documentary Show Her the Money and the HBO film The Great Lillian Hall.