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 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.Billboard, July 8, 1967 - Page 6 RIVER FLOWS ON THIRD TRY45Cat - The Forum - Discography 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.Billboard, July 8, 1967 - Page 6 RIVER FLOWS ON THIRD TRY It finally got to no. 45.Rock Movers & Shakers, Barry Lazell - Billboard Publications, Inc., 1 Apr. 1989 - Page 213
In 1967, they released an album called The River Is Wide.Both Sides Now Publications - Mira Album Discography The group eventually folded, and Campos and his wife formed a duo.Allmusic - Forum, Biography by Richie Unterberger
In December 1968, a group billed as Phil Campos & the Forum were in Nevada, appearing at the Carson City Nugget.Nevada Highways and Parks, Volumes 28-31 - State of Nevada, Department of Highways., 1968 - Page 3 Around April 1969, Campos and the Forum were appearing at the Theatre Lounge of the Carson City Nugget six nights a week.Reno Gazette-Journal, April 19, 1969 - Page 22 Singing Swinging Session Provided In Carson Nugget By Phil Campos 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.Reno Gazette-Journal, April 26, 1969 - Page 24 - Page 24 Dramatic Songs Hold Carson Nugget Patrons
Phil Campos died in 1987.MooseRoots - Philip Campos - Death Record, CaliforniaPhil Campos website - Home
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 45Cat - The Forum - Discography
+ Albums Title Release info Year F Notes The River Is Wide Mira Records MLP 3014 1967 LP Issued in stereo on MLPS 3014Discogs - The Forum – The River Is Wide The River Is Wide Rev-Ola Cr Rev 14 2002 CD Rate Your Music - The Forum – Labels > Rev-Ola Records The River Is Wide Gear Fab Records RGF-002a 2006 LP Discogs - The Forum – The River Is Wide
References
External links Phil Campos official site "The River is Wide" by The Forum from Archive.org