Box 1001, Dawson Creek, B.C. Canada V1G 4H9
Phone (250) 782-4069    Fax (250) 782-4064    Email: Seniors' Connection

'People of the Peace'
Roy Forbes

The hamlet of Rolla, B.C. was rockin' and rollin' on the sunny, snowy morning of February 13, 1953 when Roy Forbes (junior) arrived in this world. Jessie (Nan) Forbes wasted no time announcing to the tiny community that her son Roy and his wife Margaret (nee Moore, twin sister to Dorothy and daughter of the late Agnes and Dinty Moore, Gundy, B.C.) had a boy - the first boy, born into a family of four older sisters. As the only heir to the Forbes name, his Grandma Jessie dubbed him ‘The King’.

From the time 'Little Roy' was only days old, his Grandfather Bob entertained him with lullabies, ragtime and polkas on the worn and weathered violin brought from Saskatchewan in the 'Dirty Thirties'. His sisters, Lillian, Rhoda, Margaret Ann and Judi kept the 78's spinning on the record player, Hank Snow, Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb and Wilf Carter as well as Elvis, Buddy Holly and The Everly Brothers. It’s no small wonder that he grew up to be one of Canada’s greatest singer/songwriters.

The family moved to Dawson Creek where Bim (a nickname given by his family) attended Grandview Elementary School, Frank Ross Junior High and graduated from South Peace Senior Secondary in 1971. During those years he formed a band called "The Crystal Ship" with Terry Emslie, Brian Rushfeldt, Richard Dixon and Ed Hanrahan. The band was hugely successful but when the members graduated and headed their separate ways, Bim decided to pursue a music career on his own. In 1971 the kid full of dreams packed up his suitcase full of tunes, hitched a ride in a '63 Studebaker and headed for Vancouver.

Five more springs and innumerable gigs after he first set foot in Vancouver, Forbes had become a staple of CBC radio and festival meadows across the country when he received a Juno nomination for his first album, Kid Full of Dreams. Twenty-four years later the Juno thing happened yet again with 1999’s Crazy Old Moon, which also went on to win a West Coast Music Award for best roots/traditional album. Meanwhile, chords and notes from Roy’s well-worn Gurian guitar and that unmistakable voice continue to ring across crowded festival meadows.

The unusual name ‘Bim’ became a password for extraordinary songs, at a time when some amazing songwriters were at the top of their game. This, coupled with his unique and intense guitar playing and a high and soulful voice - part Roy Orbison, part Billie Holiday and all heart, made for a winning combination.

Kid Full of Dreams was soon followed by Raincheck on Misery, Thistles and the acoustic Anything You Want, all of which helped establish Bim as a vibrant presence on the festival and concert circuit.

Come the mid eighties Bim reverted to Roy Forbes and released projects like a Christmas album with Connie Kaldor, New Songs For An Old Celebration, his roots/rock record, Love Turns To Ice and, come the 90s, the much anticipated Roy Forbes country album, The Human Kind.

Almost Overnight from 1995 was a stripped down review of the Bim years but there wasn’t much time to linger on reminiscences. Forbes threw himself into a variety of new situations including collaboration with Shari Ulrich and Bill Henderson as UHF, which thus far has produced two acclaimed albums.

Along with producing several albums for fellow singer/songwriters, he has also taken on the challenge of scoring documentaries like Nettie Wild’s Blockade and the gritty six part TV mini-series Eye Level. His music shows up often on Sesame Street. Recent soundtracks include a documentary on troubled teens, 'Harm’s Way'. Roy keeps a busy schedule of live dates both solo and with UHFand continues his dedication in conducting songwriting seminars and workshops throughout the country. He also continues with regular installments of his popular national CBC radio show Snap Crackle Pop where he features gems from his extensive and eclectic record collection.