headed for the Big Apple in search of recording deals and larger audiences. He started out playing for change at Grand Central Station and hitting every open mic night he could before eventually moving into the club scene at infamous spots like New York City’s CBGBs.
At a time when rootsy rock was fading in favor of punk-edged bands such as the Ramones, Talking Heads and Blondie, Forbert’s folk-pop “Romeo’s Tune” hit #11 on the charts and brought him into the international spotlight. Critics and the public embraced his melodic and lyrical styles, a more traditional sound among the post-disco punk and rock of the late 70s and early 80s.