French Forbes II.

French Forbes II is the grandson of the founder of the Forbes Piano and Organ Company. Ernest Erastus Forbes formed the company in 1889 by selling pianos from the back of his horse-drawn carriage. His son oversaw the Birmingham, Alabama-based company during the Great Depression and French II put the company back on track following World War II, a time when pianos were hard to come by until the manufacturers were able to re-establish their production. French’s son, French Forbes III took over as president and oversaw the store until it closed in 2009. French II was interviewed a second time 20 years after his first, this time with his son at his side as they recalled the early days of the store and their relationships with Steinway & Sons as well as the Allen Organ Company.