David started singing at the age of 5, with this parents, twin brother and older sister. By the age of 17, he was cuttng his teeth playing in bars with the help of his sister, who was over 21. During his late teens, David had a keen interest in drums and violin.
But by then, signing was the most favourable outcome, after perfecting his voice with almost 10 years working on the club gig circuit. The opportunity of a chance meeting with Boulevard main man, Mark Holden, in 1984, led him to record vocals for the Molsen World Cup downhill ski race. The result was called Phaze 2, also featuring David's sister Patty on keyboards and vocals. A 7-inch 2-track single was released in 1985.
Two years later, and an invitation by Mark Holden to be front man to Blvd who had recently signed a new record deal with M.C.A. Records. MTV were playing videos of “Never Give Up” and “Far From Over”, with tour support slots with Glass Tiger, and David's favourite band, Boston, on their Third Stage Tour. Two years later, the follow-up “Into the Street” was released, but by then the 1990s were in their infancy, and trends in music were changing. In 1992, the band decided to call it a day. David made a new career choice outside of music to become a firefighter, and after 27 years of service achieved the rank of Engine Lieutenant, before retiring from the force.
In 2013, he was returning back into music by singing a duet on the Charming Grace CD, and a year later, a track on the AOR LA Connection. The biggest shock was reactivating Boulevard to reunite, and play live in England for a final fling, for Firefest in 2014. By then, 24 years had passed, and the overwhelming response from the fans went beyond any words.
The same can be said again in 2017 when Boulevard played Rockingham Festival in England, with a selection of European gigs and also MelodicRock Fest in the USA in 2018. The keen interest was enough for the band to make a new CD called “Luminescence”, recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, and Bryan Adams' studios, The Warehouse, Vancouver,
Canada.
In 2022 David was in the position and state of mind to make a solo CD, and a talk with Steve Price and Paul Rudland led to David working with the small but professional and dedicated team at AOR Blvd Records who specialize in making music, building from the ground up. With Steve Newman writing, producing, playing, and arranging carefully crafted songs and co-writes from David, Pete Alpenborg, including a resurrected demo from Jeff Paris
and Adrian Gurvitz. This combination leads the music on a path that takes in a whole new level of listening pleasure.
Tales of the Past is a fine example of well-produced, well written songs.
Release Date : June 2023
Label : AOR BLVD Records
Catalogue Number: ABR 031
Produced by: Steve Newman and David Forbes
Executive Producer: Paul Rudland
Mastered by: Dave Draper
All songs recorded at: Chrome Dome, London, UK, between June 2022 and March 2023 except “Freedom” recorded at : STEMI Sound, Bellingham, USA
Piano: Andrew Johns
Intro bar piano: Eric Ragno
Orchestral parts: Eric Ragno and Andrew Johns
Orchestral arrangement and processing: Chip Westerfield and David Forbes
“Part of the proceeds from “Freedom” will go to the Gary Sinise Foundation”
All Lead Vocals recorded at STEMI Sound, Bellingham, USA between
Since 2010 MelodicRock Recordshas been at the forefront of some of the best melodic music made available to fans.
It has been a great honor to be a part of each and every release – whether it be championing a new artist; digging something out of the vaults; or a brand-new release from an established act.
2019 sees MRR reach the milestone of 100 releases. So what better way to celebrate the milestone than a compilation of the artists featured on MRR.
This however, isn’t your average ‘best of’ affair – this compilation will feature songs that didn’t make the albums MRR released – hence the title ‘Left Off The First 99’.
‘Left Off The First 99’ will offer a range of bonus tracks featured from the first 99 releases, plus some exclusive unreleased tracks from the recording sessions that spawned those albums.
And for good measure – a little taste of what’s to come in the year ahead, with some exclusive preview tracks from upcoming MRR releases.
MRR100 is a 2CD set priced at $25 (including airmail shipping) and is strictly limited to 500 units.
PRE-ORDER MRR100 'Left Off The First 99' (OUT MAY 31)
MRR100 – Track Listing (Not Yet Sequenced)
01) All I Know - Consume Me (Non Album Bonus Track) 02:50
02) All I Know - Only You (Non Album Bonus Track) 02:22
03) Arti Tisi - Mama Sweet Evil (Demo)(Unreleased Extended Version) 04:21
04) Brett Walker - Better Than Goodbye (Unreleased Remix) 04:19
05) Brett Walker - Seeing You Around (Unreleased Longer Version) 05:04
06) Boulevard - Good Enough (2017 Unreleased) 04:29
08)* Fiction Syxx - Darkest Hour (New 2019) 04:11
09) Waldo & Rosen Feat. Graham Bonnet - Hearts Under Fire (Unreleased Demo) 04:07
10) Hearts On Fire - Fade Away (Demo) 03:17
11) House Of Shakira - Financial Times (Non Album Bonus Track) 03:32
12) House Of Shakira - Shell Shock (Non Album Bonus Track) 04:10
13) Jim Shepard - Love, I'm Over You (Non Album Bonus Track) 03:20
14) JK Northrup & David Cagle - Promises To God (Japanese Bonus Track) 04:15
15) Nitrate - All I Need (Japanese Bonus Track) 04:50
16) Andreas Novak - No Vacation (Unreleased Alt Mix, Extended Version) 04:41
17) Paris - Don't Say A Word (Non Album Bonus Track) 04:44
18) Paris - Stronger (Non Album Bonus Track) 04:05
19) Royal Mess - Finally (Japan Bonus Track) 03:09
20) American Heartbreak - Human Touch (Working Class Dogs, Non Album Bonus Track) 04:07
22) The Vague - Love Is Alright Tonight (Working Class Dogs, Non Album Bonus Track) 03:25
23) Scherer/Batten - Blue Letter (Unreleased) 03:31
Rock Temple, the new international mail order dedicated to rock and metal music fans, in collaboration with Rocker Sound Agency & Burning Minds Music Group, is proud to share details of the first official edition of its "Rock Temple Festival", which will take place on May 29, 2018 @ Legend Club, Viale Enrico Fermi 98, 20161 Milan - ITALY (The event will be part of the "Rock In Park" live saga,).
Tickets are finally available for purchase from today on the official website of Rock Temple, in two different versions: "Standard" & "VIP". All the info:
STANDARD TICKET
Official pre-sale on Rock Temple's website: 22 Euro (+ 5% discount on 1 order done on www.rocktemple.it). Price at the venue: 24 Euro
VIP TICKET
Ultra-limted to 10 people: 49,90 Euro. Details: 1 ticket, Meet & Greet with Boulevard, 1 Festival T-Shirt, 1 designed VIP Pass (+ 10% discount on 1 order done on www.rocktemple.it). VIP TICKET is available exclusively on www.rocktemple.itwithin May 13, 2018.
A special Rock Temple stand with Cd, Dvd, Bluray, Vinyls, Box Set and Limited Edition, dedicated to all the fans and collectors of AOR, Rock e Metal music, will be available inside the venue during the event.
MelodicRock Records is proud to announce the second release for September 22 – the AOR masterpiece that is BOULEVARD's‘Boulevard IV - Luminescence’.
It took just one listen to this supremely recorded album for MRR to realise that the guys had to be signed immediately.
For those fans of the band’s first two MCA released records – ‘Boulevard IV - Luminescence’ is so worth the wait.
NEW PREVIEW!
Track Listing:
01. Out Of The Blue 03:57
02. Life Is A Beautiful Thing 04:13
03. Laugh Or Cry 04:48
04. What I'd Give 05:16
05. Come Together 05:01
06. Runnin' Low 04:37
07. I Can't Tell You Why 04:04
08. Confirmation 04:41
09. Slipping Away 05:46
10. What Are You Waiting For 04:13
11. Don't Stop The Music 04:35
PRE-ORDER NOW
BOULEVARD -'Boulevard IV - Luminescence' ($15 + $5 Shipping Worldwide)
MRR September Deal:
BOULEVARD -'Boulevard IV - Luminescence' and SCHERER/BATTEN -'BattleZone' (Plus MP3 Singles)($36 including Worldwide Shipping)
From the breezy AOR perfection of Out Of The Blue, to the more intense and layered first single Life Is A Beautiful Thing and one of the best ballads you’ll hear in What I’d Give, to the moody essence that is I Can’t Tell You Why that features an outstanding lead vocal and accompanying saxophone; ‘Luminescence’ is a very diverse album, gelled by the performance of a lifetime and the best possible production and mix studios like Abbey Road can offer.
MRR and Boulevard are proud to preview the lead track off the new album 'Boulevard IV - Luminescence' - 'Life Is A Beautiful Thing'
Boulevard is a Canadian band that got their start in Germany with the release of their first single “Rainy Day in London” in 1984 which went to #45 on the Billboard charts in Europe.
Members are: David Forbes (vocals), Mark Holden (saxophone), Andrew Johns (keyboards, vocals), Dave Corman (Guitar, vocals) Randall Stoll (drums), Cory Curtis (bass). Known for their solid rhythms, layered melodies and vocal textures the band enjoyed success overseas prior to landing back in Canada.
In 1987 the band signed a deal with MCA/Universal, which would see their first internationally released album BLVD producing the hit singles ”Never Give Up” and “Far From Over” establishing them as a fixture of the Canadian Music scene in the 80’s. Their self-titled debut album was recorded at Ocean Sound and Little Mountain Sound in Vancouver by producer Pierre 'Baz' Bazinet and was mixed by notable rock producers Bob Rock and Mike Fraser and Umberto Gatica.
Following two very successful tours with Glass Tiger and Boston, in 1988 Boulevard were awarded the coveted Peoples Choice Award by Music Express Magazine as “Best New Group”.
Following the success of their first Album the band released Into The Street – in 1990, Produced by John Punter which produced the singles “Crazy Life” and “Lead Me On”.
In 2014 the band were invited to perform at Firefest in Nottingham England in front of many diehard fans. Many consider this to be one of the best shows ever at Firefest.
2015 the band released “Boulevard - Live from Gastown” a DVD which features all five of the bands Canadian top 40 singles, as well as some classic tracks from the bands repertoire. The DVD was filmed live on February 27th 2015 at Vancouver’s legendary Warehouse studio.
Boulevard is back, bigger and better than ever with a brand new album titled ‘Boulevard IV’.
The band stays true to their passion charged rhythms, textured melodic landscapes, and powerful lyrics in this this beautifully crafted body of work that will take the listener down the Boulevard of what is possible.
Credits:
Produced by Mark Holden, Dave Corman, and Eric Mosher
David Forbes: Vocals
Mark Holden: Tenor & Alto Sax
Andrew Johns: Keyboards & Vocals
Randall Stoll: Drums & Percussion
Dave Corman: Guitars
Cory Curtis: Bass
Recorded at:
Abbey Road Studio, London U.K.: Engineered by Chris Bolster, assisted by John Barrett.
Warehouse Studio, Vancouver B.C: Engineered by Eric Mosher, Zak Blackstone & assisted by Matt Harvey and Ryan Enockson.
Westsonic Music, Vancouver B.C.: Engineered by Dave Corman
Guest artists:
Keith Scott: Guitar on Slippin Away
Al Vermue: Guitar on Slippin Away
Artwork: Brent Lunney
‘Boulevard IV – Luminescence’ will be released worldwide September 22. Pre-order now.
MelodicRock Records is proud to announce the second release for September 22 – the AOR masterpiece that is BOULEVARD's‘Boulevard IV - Luminescence’.
It took just one listen to this supremely recorded album for MRR to realise that the guys had to be signed immediately.
For those fans of the band’s first two MCA released records – ‘Boulevard IV - Luminescence’ is so worth the wait.
NEW PREVIEW!
From the breezy AOR perfection of Out Of The Blue, to the more intense and layered first single Life Is A Beautiful Thing and one of the best ballads you’ll hear in What I’d Give, to the moody essence that is I Can’t Tell You Why that features an outstanding lead vocal and accompanying saxophone; ‘Luminescence’ is a very diverse album, gelled by the performance of a lifetime and the best possible production and mix studios like Abbey Road can offer.
MRR and Boulevard are proud to preview the lead track off the new album 'Boulevard IV - Luminescence' - 'Life Is A Beautiful Thing'
Boulevard is a Canadian band that got their start in Germany with the release of their first single “Rainy Day in London” in 1984 which went to #45 on the Billboard charts in Europe.
Members are: David Forbes (vocals), Mark Holden (saxophone), Andrew Johns (keyboards, vocals), Dave Corman (Guitar, vocals) Randall Stoll (drums), Cory Curtis (bass). Known for their solid rhythms, layered melodies and vocal textures the band enjoyed success overseas prior to landing back in Canada.
In 1987 the band signed a deal with MCA/Universal, which would see their first internationally released album BLVD producing the hit singles ”Never Give Up” and “Far From Over” establishing them as a fixture of the Canadian Music scene in the 80’s. Their self-titled debut album was recorded at Ocean Sound and Little Mountain Sound in Vancouver by producer Pierre 'Baz' Bazinet and was mixed by notable rock producers Bob Rock and Mike Fraser and Umberto Gatica.
Following two very successful tours with Glass Tiger and Boston, in 1988 Boulevard were awarded the coveted Peoples Choice Award by Music Express Magazine as “Best New Group”.
Following the success of their first Album the band released Into The Street – in 1990, Produced by John Punter which produced the singles “Crazy Life” and “Lead Me On”.
In 2014 the band were invited to perform at Firefest in Nottingham England in front of many diehard fans. Many consider this to be one of the best shows ever at Firefest.
2015 the band released “Boulevard - Live from Gastown” a DVD which features all five of the bands Canadian top 40 singles, as well as some classic tracks from the bands repertoire. The DVD was filmed live on February 27th 2015 at Vancouver’s legendary Warehouse studio.
Boulevard is back, bigger and better than ever with a brand new album titled ‘Boulevard IV’.
The band stays true to their passion charged rhythms, textured melodic landscapes, and powerful lyrics in this this beautifully crafted body of work that will take the listener down the Boulevard of what is possible.
Credits:
Produced by Mark Holden, Dave Corman, and Eric Mosher
David Forbes: Vocals
Mark Holden: Tenor & Alto Sax
Andrew Johns: Keyboards & Vocals
Randall Stoll: Drums & Percussion
Dave Corman: Guitars
Cory Curtis: Bass
Recorded at:
Abbey Road Studio, London U.K.: Engineered by Chris Bolster, assisted by John Barrett.
Warehouse Studio, Vancouver B.C: Engineered by Eric Mosher, Zak Blackstone & assisted by Matt Harvey and Ryan Enockson.
Westsonic Music, Vancouver B.C.: Engineered by Dave Corman
Guest artists:
Keith Scott: Guitar on Slippin Away
Al Vermue: Guitar on Slippin Away
Artwork: Brent Lunney
‘Boulevard IV – Luminescence’ will be released worldwide September 22. Pre-orders available shortly.
Forming in Calgary in 1983, Boulevard, or BLVD as they were originally known were signed to CBS Records Germany, of all places. However despite the band decamping to Germany and shooting a video for ‘Rainy Day in London’, both band and label were duly surprised to find that the single had made #45 in the German singles chart. Buoyed by the success of the single the band returned to Canada where they continued to write and record, and despite the odd line-up change they signed a major deal with MCA records in 1987 which led to the debut self-titled album being released in 1988.
MCA threw their weight behind the band and Boulevard scored two top thirty single successes in the Canadian charts. ‘Never Give Up’ and ‘Far From Over’, both had video support and were pretty much staples on Much Music in Canada. The further release of ‘Dream On’ gave the band yet another hit single making it inside the Top 40.
1990 saw the release of ‘Into The Street’ preceded by ‘Lead Me On’, which made it to #21 in the Canadian singles chart followed by the massive ‘Crazy Life’ which stalled at #47 following a record company clear out during which Boulevard found their support network at the label decimated in the shakeup.
The band went on extended hiatus in 1991 until a chance phone call in 2013 led to the band playing their first gig in 22 years at Firefest in the UK. Greeted like long-lost heroes by the faithful, and a somewhat more reserved greeting by the as of yet unconverted, Boulevard showed exactly why they are held in such high regard with a stunning performance that had 1900 people on their feet shrieking for more as the band ended what is now considered to be one of those once in a lifetime performances that only some ever have the chance to experience.
On returning to their native Canada the question was posed, “Why the hell aren’t we doing this more often?” The answer? Well no-one had one.
Going into the world renowned Warehouse Studios in Vancouver and playing thirteen of their best known songs including the five Canadian hit singles in front of a handpicked audience, each with a set of headphones receiving a perfect audio mix, just seemed like the right thing to do. Not only that, but to record it for DVD. Why? The answer is simple really, because despite numerous requests for one there was nothing usable from back in the day, so why not record exactly what people wanted to see and hear with brand new technology.
Containing thirteen tacks, stunning state of the art mix from what is essentially a front row seat in the house, this is a personal memento of how it should be done and is the first and only commercially available Boulevard live recording during the band’s 32 year history.
This is a LIMITED WORLDWIDE release! 500 copies only available in the USA and Canada in NTSC, and 500 copies only available in Europe in PAL format. The DVD can be ordered directly from www.rocktopia.co.uk in Europe and www.boulevardband.com in North American and Canada.
Pre-orders available from Monday November 30 and the DVD will ship from Monday December 7 - just in time for that perrfect Christmas treat.
