Edward Bear

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Edward Bear was a folk-rock group from Canada formed originally in 1966 by Larry Evoy and Craig Hemming. The band signed with Capitol Records in 1969. Most of their chart successes were in the early '70s before disbanding in 1974. Their band name is derived from A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh, whose 'proper' name is Edward Bear. Their top singles include "You, Me & Mexico", "Last Song", and "Close Your Eyes", all three of which were top five in Canada and charted well in the United States.

The band charted its biggest hit in 1972. "Last Song" charted No. 1 in Canada and peaked at No. 3 in the US. By then, the original band had split up. Evoy rebuilt the band twice, but it finally was disbanded in 1974 after a disastrous tour of high school gigs and small club venues.

Evoy, who embraced Scientology in 1973, went on to a semi-successful solo career but is currently retired. Danny Marks has continued a very successful career as a blues guitar veteran; Weldon performs with a jazz combo and teaches at Seneca College in Toronto; Loop resides in South Western Ontario and plays locally with various session musicians. He also teaches guitar.

They won a Juno Award in 1973 in an outstanding group performance category.

[edit] Discography

1969: Bearings
1970: Eclipse
1972: Edward Bear
1973: Close Your Eyes
1986: The Best of the Bear (compilation)
1991: The Edward Bear Collection (compilation)

[edit] Band members

Lead vocals
- Larry Evoy (1966-1974)
Bass guitar
- Craig Hemming (1966-1969)
- Bill Loop (1970-1974)
Drums
- Dave Brown (1966-?)
- Larry Evoy (?-1974)
Guitar
- Danny Marks (1966-1971)
- Roger Ellis (1971-1974)
Keyboard
- Paul Weldon (1966-1972)
- Bob Kendall (1972-1974)
- Barry Best (1974)