Forrest (singer)
Forrest Melvill Thomas Jr.[2] (April 21, 1953 – September 9, 2013),[1] known professionally as Forrest, was an American singer, based in the Netherlands.
Forrest | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Forrest Melvill Thomas Jr. |
| Born | April 21, 1953[1] Galveston, Texas, United States |
| Died | September 9, 2013 (aged 60)[1] Tilburg, Netherlands |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 1982–2013 |
| Labels | Ariola |
Life and career
Born in Galveston, Texas,[1] where he sang in church during childhood, he moved to Los Angeles, California as a teen and won several contests there as a singer. After this stage in his career, he moved to the Netherlands, where he had a hit in 1983 with the song "Rock the Boat", a cover of the Hues Corporation's 1974 No. 1 US hit. His version peaked at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart[3] and in his native United States at No. 9 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart.[4]
A second single, "Feel the Need in Me" (originally by the Detroit Emeralds), was a hit in the UK, reaching No. 17.[3] A third single, "One Lover (Don't Stop the Show)", peaked at No. 67 in the UK.[2]
He and his wife, Manon Thomas, a television presenter had two sons, but later separated, after which he began to concentrate again on music. He sang in R.E.S.P.E.C.T., a theatre show, in 2001, dedicated to 1960s soul music. He was asked by DJ Roog to front the band Planet Hardsoul, who had a minor hit with their cover of "Where Did Our Love Go". In December 2012, Thomas married again, to Diana van Lippen.
Death
On September 9, 2013, Forrest died of a stroke in a hospital in Tilburg, Netherlands, aged 60.[1]
Discography
Albums
- One Lover (Ariola, 1983)
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Dance [4] |
AUS [5] |
UK [3] |
NLD [6] | |||
| 1983 | "Rock the Boat" | 9 | 33 | 4 | 7 | |
| 1983 | "Dancing with My Shadow" | — | — | — | — | |
| "One Lover (Don't Stop the Show)" | — | — | 67 | 37 | ||
| "Feel the Need in Me" | — | — | 17 | 20 | ||
| 1984 | "Dance All Night" | — | — | — | — | |
| "She's So Divine" | — | — | 98 | — | ||
| 1986 | "She's So Free" | — | — | — | — | |
| 1987 | "Valerie" | — | — | — | — | |
| 1989 | "You Got What It Takes" | — | — | — | — | |
| "Rock the Boat '89" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Feelin' Alright" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. | ||||||
References
- Doc Rock. "July to December 2013". The Dead Rock Stars Club. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
- Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 208. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- "FORREST – full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
- "Forrest Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
- Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 116. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- "Dutch Charts". Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
- "Forrest - Rock the Boat". bpi.co.uk. Retrieved January 15, 2022.