Edward Bear was a Toronto based Canadian pop-rock group, formed originally in 1966 by Larry Evoy and Craig Hemming. The third member to join was Paul Weldon. The band signed with Capitol Records in 1969. Most of their chart successes were in the early 1970s 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 selling singles include "You, Me and Mexico", "Last Song", and "Close Your Eyes", all three of which were Top 5 hits in Canada and charted well in the United States.
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The band had its biggest hit in 1972, when "Last Song" charted at #1 in Canada and peaked at #3 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.[1] It was awarded a gold disc in March 1973 for selling over one million copies by the Recording Industry Association of America.[1] By then, the band's original line up had split up. Evoy remained as the primary songwriter and creative force throughout the band's career, rebuilding the band twice, until it finally was disbanded in 1974.
They won a Juno Award in 1973 in an outstanding group performance category.
Evoy, who briefly embraced Scientology in 1973, went on to a solo career, but is currently retired from live performance and running a small recording studio. Former member Danny Marks has continued a successful career as a blues guitar veteran. Paul Weldon, a six-year veteran of the band, performs with a jazz combo and teaches at Seneca College in Toronto. Bill Loop, bassist in the early 1970s, resides in south-western Ontario and plays locally with various session musicians. He also teaches guitar.
The band is a favourite of Quentin Tarantino, who feels the band should be regarded as "The Beatles of Canada".[2]
"You Me & Mexico", "Fool", "Cinder", "Woodwinds", "Hideaway", "Mind Police", "Toe Jam", "Sinking Ship", "Every Day"
"Four Months Out To Africa", "Chris' Song", "You Can't Deny It", "Pickering Tower", "T-1 Blues", "Pirate King", "Long Forgotten Day", "Monday"
"Last Song", "Private School Girls", "Fly Across The Sea", "Edgware Station", "Cachet County", "Masquerade", "Back Home Again", "Best Friend", "Ease Me Down", "Black Pete"
"Close Your Eyes", "Some Sunny Day", "I Love Her (You Love Me)", "Nowhere Is Karen Around", "Does Your Mother Know", "Fool", "What You Done", "Walking On Back", "Haven't You Touched Him", "All The Lights Were Shining"
"You Me & Mexico", "Fly Across The Sea", "Masquerade", "Last Song", "Close Your Eyes", "Fool", "Same Old Feeling", "Freedom For The Stallion", "On & On", "God Bless Now", "I Had Dreams", "She Loves A Parade", "You & I", "Not Dreaming About You", "You Can't Deny It"
| Year | Song | Canada rank | USA rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | "You, Me and Mexico" | 3 | 68 |
| "You Can't Deny It" | 16 | - | |
| 1971 | "Spirit Song" | 86 | - |
| 1972 | "Fly Across the Sea" | 18 | - |
| "Masquerade" | 7 | - | |
| "Last Song" | 1 | 3 | |
| 1973 | "Close Your Eyes" | 3 | 37 |
| "Walking on Back" | 33 | 115 | |
| 1974 | "Same Old Feeling" | 36 | - |
| "Freedom For the Stallion" | 20 | - |