The Forum (vocal group)

The Forum was a vocal group organized by Les Baxter whose members were Phil Campos, Riselle Bain and Rene Nole who would marry Campos.

The Forum
OriginUnited States
GenresFolk rock, Pop
Years active1966 - 1968
LabelsMira
Past membersPhil Campos
Rene Nole
Riselle Bain

The group evolved from an earlier folk music group called Les Baxter's Balladeers. Campos, Bain and Nole split off into The Forum in 1966 as part of the folk rock craze. They had one hit record in 1967 on Mira Records with "The River Is Wide".

Background

Their debut release was with "The River Is Wide", released in 1966 on the Penthouse label.[1][2] It didn't make any significant progress. It was later re-mastered and re-edited, and was released a second time in early 1967 on the Mira label. Nothing happened the second time around either. Then Decca issued it in the UK on their London label. After that, the record began to make some progress in the UK. This got the attention of a DJ in Seattle. He started playing it and it attracted some attention in the Seattle area. By July 1967, the record was at no. 88 in the Billboard charts.[3] It finally got to no. 45.[4]

In 1967, they released an album called The River Is Wide.[5] The group eventually folded, and Campos and his wife formed a duo.[6]

In December 1968, a group billed as Phil Campos & the Forum were in Nevada, appearing at the Carson City Nugget.[7] Around April 1969, Campos and the Forum were appearing at the Theatre Lounge of the Carson City Nugget six nights a week.[8] The Reno Gazette-Journal in their April 26, 1969 issue reported on the group's performance at the Carson Nugget. Campos's handling of songs such as "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" and "Sailor Man, Where You Gonna Run To?" were noted.[9]

Phil Campos died in 1987.[10][11]

Discography
List of singles
Title Catalogue Year Notes
"The River Is Wide" / " Fall In Love (All Over Again)" Penthouse PH-504 1966 Released Aug 1966
"The River Is Wide" / "I Fall In Love (All Over Again)" Mira 232 1966 Released Dec 1966
"The River Is Wide" / "Girl Without A Boy" Mira 232 1967
"Trip On Me" / "It's Sunday" Mira 243 1967
"Girl Without A Boy" / "Go Try To Put Out The Sun" Mira 248 1968 [12]
Albums
Title Release info Year F Notes
The River Is Wide Mira Records MLP 3014 1967 LP Issued in stereo on MLPS 3014[13]
The River Is Wide Rev-Ola Cr Rev 14 2002 CD [14]
The River Is Wide Gear Fab Records RGF-002a 2006 LP [15]

References
  1. Billboard, July 8, 1967 - Page 6 RIVER FLOWS ON THIRD TRY
  2. 45Cat - The Forum - Discography
  3. Billboard, July 8, 1967 - Page 6 RIVER FLOWS ON THIRD TRY
  4. Rock Movers & Shakers, Barry Lazell - Billboard Publications, Inc., 1 Apr. 1989 - Page 213
  5. Both Sides Now Publications - Mira Album Discography
  6. Allmusic - Forum, Biography by Richie Unterberger
  7. Nevada Highways and Parks, Volumes 28-31 - State of Nevada, Department of Highways., 1968 - Page 3
  8. Reno Gazette-Journal, April 19, 1969 - Page 22 Singing Swinging Session Provided In Carson Nugget By Phil Campos
  9. Reno Gazette-Journal, April 26, 1969 - Page 24 - Page 24 Dramatic Songs Hold Carson Nugget Patrons
  10. MooseRoots - Philip Campos - Death Record, California
  11. Phil Campos website - Home
  12. 45Cat - The Forum - Discography
  13. Discogs - The Forum – The River Is Wide
  14. Rate Your Music - The Forum – Labels > Rev-Ola Records
  15. Discogs - The Forum – The River Is Wide
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