Steve Forbert - The American in Me
On this episode, we focus on the 6th album of singer-songwriter Steve Forbert, The American in Me. Forbert focuses on the realities of middle-aged life with its failures and compromises. Despite the general feeling of weariness, his humor and hope come through. Although there are no hits on this album, many tracks sure sound like they could have been. We bet American listeners will recognize the American in themselves.
Recommendation for this episode: Ramblin’ Soul by Melissa Carper.
THINGS WE DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE
Here’s Steve Forbert with CBGB’s sound man Charlie Martin. Forbert got his start in New York playing at CBGB’s in the late 1970’s, opening for the likes of the Talking Heads. e was eventually managed by Linda Stein and Danny Fields, who also managed the Ramones at the time.
Forbert was asked to be on the cover of Rolling Stone shortly after his second LP Jackrabbit Slim was released in November 1979. Its a decision that he says he never regretted.
Here is the March 20, 1980 issue of Rolling Stone a call out to “Steve Forbert: Hot Young Sound from the South.”
In 1982, Forbert and his band the Flying Squirrels traveled to Bearsville to shoot a promo video for "Ya Ya (Next To Me)" from his self-titled third LP. Here’s an interview with Forbert done before the video shoot where he talks about his career up to that point, him influences, and what’s up next for him. .
During the early 80s, Forbert made a cameo in the Cyndi Lauper video for her hit “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” playing her clean cut boyfriend. Forbert first met Lauper while was she was in a fifties throwback band called Blue Angel.
Here’s the video, which is a goofy blast of early 80’s fun. Forbert makes his appearance at the 3 minute and 43 second mark.
Whenever Forbert performs an acoustic solo rendition of his hit “Romeo’s Tune” from hisJackrabbit Slim LP he plays the irresistible piano intro on the harmonica.
