In this 1542nd episode of Toronto Mike'd, Mike is joined by Retrontario's Ed Conroy as they remember Harry Forbes, Synth library pioneer and composer of TVO's Magic Shadows and Bits and Bytes theme songs. This episode is exactly 46:41.
September 6, 1943 – August 22, 2024 Edmonton, Alberta – Toronto, Ontario
Harry Forbes passed away in Toronto on August 22, 2024. Harry was a talented musician, teacher, creative composer, loving spouse to Linda Hurlburt (Frances Ferdinands, Lyn Foulds), devoted, fun- loving father to Zachary (Alison Lapp) and Lauren, fond brother to sister Shirley and uncle to Georgia, dear cousin, avid pet lover, and loyal friend to all. Predeceased by parents, Gordon Forbes and Jean Cochrane Forbes and his pioneer Alberta and PEI grandparents.
From an early age, Harry’s life was centred around music. He never missed the broadcasts of legendary rock, blues and jazz aficionado Bill Coull at Edmonton CKUA who influenced many budding musicians. Harry attended Berklee College of Contemporary Music in Boston, Mass., graduating in 1965. From there he moved to New York City where he studied composition privately and sang in the choir performing the Messiah at Carnegie Hall. He then made his way to Toronto in 1968 and set up a freelance music production studio, Music For Media. It was in Toronto where he attended a groundbreaking electronic music course at York University, which inspired some of his greatest works.
Harry’s commercial success was driven by his original compositions, from catchy advertising jingles, to music for TV shows such as the memorable theme song “Magic Shadows” for Elwy Yost’s popular weekday TVO program which aired throughout the 70’s and 80’s. In contrast, he also composed the score based on Margaret Atwood’s book The Edible Woman, and the edgy soundtrack perfectly tuned to futurist Alvin Toffler’s digital revolution documentary “The Third Wave”.
Harry frequently performed alongside a range of talented musicians, forming lifelong friendships through these collaborations. He also delighted in jamming with his children and entertaining family and friends with the rock ’n’ roll hits from his youth.
With his joyous and youthful curiosity and great sense of humour, he always left a lasting impression on others. Seldom did one leave his company without being shored up by laughs. To say he will be remembered with fondness and dearly missed is an understatement.
In his later years, Harry fought a most courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia and his family would like to thank the amazing and caring staff at Baycrest and Sunnybrook hospitals.
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