Bill Forbes - Believe in me

Bill Forbes - Believe in me -- Bill Forbes was born on 17th of December 1938 in Colombo Sri Lanka he was educated at St Peters College Bambalapitiya in his younger days music and singing was his favourite and he took part college concerts and stage plays. At the age of 12 he and Tony Peterson was in the finial of the amateur hour talent contest and sung The Mills Brothers popular song Paper Doll and won. He took part in college talent contest later he went on to win other national contest he performed in many of Donovan Andree musical shows at the Stadium and the nigh Clubs in Colombo In 1955 at the age of 17 he went to Britain doing menial clerical work by day and singing at night clubs at night During 1958 Bill lived out his dreams of being a famous singer by appearing regularly at the Bread Basket coffee bar in the Tottenham court road .It was while he was performing one night in September 1958 that two talent scouts representing Jack Good approached him and asked if he wanted to audition for the Oh Boy show. The series had just blasted onto the nations television screen a few weeks earlier and Bill was already a big fan of the show. He was one of 30 who were invited to perform before Jack Good, recalls Bill. I turned up for the audition which was held at the actual venue for the live show itself the Empire Theatre in Hackney and I was absolutely petrified, Jack Good personally picked just two to appear in his Oh Boy! series Emile Ford (What do you want to make those eyes at me for) Fame and Bill Himself and other now famous stars (Harry Webb) born in India Sir Cliff Richard and the Shadows, Marty Wilde, Vernons Girls, Billy Fury, Shirley Bassey, (Gerry Dorsey) born in Madras Englebert Humperdick) Tommy Steel, Alma Cogan, and gust American imports The Inkpots Conway Tweety, to name a few and Bill made a total of 11 appearances in Oh Boy! Series and released 10 singles between 1959 and 1967.

Shortly after the show Bill signed a recording contract with Colombia records and between 1958 and 1962 released eight singles, the biggest of which Too Young reached the number 29 position in UK charts during December 1959. When he returned to Sri Lanka for a 10 day whistle stop tour in 1960 topping the charts with his version of the ever green Ballad Too Young- he was mobbed in the streets and even invited to lunch with the prime minister at his official residence. The biggest Kick for me was that Too Young knocked Cliff Richards Living Doll off the top of the Sri Lanka charts. I really felt Id made it! It all happened so fast its just a blur when I think about it now. All the detail gets lost when so many good things happen at once, Bill said. Once More Bill himself composed the song and he dedicated it to Elvis Presley who had inspired him and wanted to give it to Elvis to record but despite Columbia A&Rs man Norrie Paramor best efforts to pass it on Elvis never did get to hear the song while several other stars sang it too and one of them was Adam Faith.

Bill had his concerts at the Stadium and at the Greenhouse at Victoria Park backed by Harold Seneviratne Combo which was broadcasts by SLBC to the enter country and some of the songs he sang was One more sunrise, What do you want to make those eyes at me for that was very popular at that time and some of you (His fans} might have been there. Today, Bill Forbes is still regarded as the first Sri Lankan solo artist ever to secure a recording contract and hit recording outside his native country and all his songs went to number one position in the Sri Lanka and Indian hit parade and stayed for months In 1963 he began doing the cabaret/ nightclub holiday camp circuit and performed his own band The Contrasts He Finally gave up show business to fine more settled employment in 1975 in 1963 Bill Married and moved to Huddersfield England where still lives happily with his wife he has two daughters and spends his time with his grand children. Bill Forbes now sends his regards and best wishers to all his fans and a big thank you If you or know any one who can get a tape recording the famous 1960 concert at the greenhouse Victoria park at Town hall Colombo contact

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[azhar537]

A great song ' Bilieve in me ' is. Many thanks to you Bill Forbes where ever you are. You are unique.

And also many thanks to ' spinout ' for taking all the trouble for posting this lovely song. And of course to ' youtube ' too.

AzharHuzair 537

[azhar537]

wow ! spinout

What a treat from you to us. It's great to hear Bill Forbes's ' believe in me ' after 46 years. I loved this song while i was a teenager in Sri Lanka !

Many many thanks.

Azhar

[rukshannn]

Sri lankans know only useless megastars like jokers no one knows nothing about this guy. he was so famous in 60s even no tribute to this guys.

[1952emirates]

Bill had a good voice & my favorite song Bill sang was Two Young.

Great singer.

Thanks Bill.

[rukshannn]

should respect these people, why no one talk about sri lankan like bill forbes in media and etc....................., why?

[lalitaj1]

Great song....great singer.....great memories of the 60s.

Thank you Bill Forbes, you brought so much joy to us through your music.

GOD bless you....

Nimal Jayasooriya

[abadangal]

Thanks for the walk back in memory. Lovely melody...

[islandfusion]

thanks

[clarantha]

Post FORBE'S era Sri Lankan to top both British & Billboard (USA) charts was TONY GOMEZ of The FOUNDATIONS with hits 'Build Me Up Buttercup' & 'Baby Now That I Found You.Unlike Bill local radio never gave exposure to Tony & he remains unknown in Sri lanka -except to die hard Rock FANS like me.

[vintagegoon7]

Thanks for the interesting information.