Information/Write-up
Edward Bear were a Toronto rock band formed in the late 1960s as the Edward Bear Revue, a quintet named after a character in A. A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh, whose central figure is properly called Edward Bear. The group initially performed in Yorkville coffeehouses and on the Toronto club circuit before streamlining their lineup and sound.
By 1969, Edward Bear had evolved into a trio and began recording for Capitol Records. The core lineup during the group’s Capitol years consisted of singer-songwriter and drummer Larry Evoy, guitarist Danny Marks (until 1971, later replaced by Roger Ellis), and organist Paul Weldon (until 1972, later replaced by Bob Kendall). Though the band’s earliest material reflected blues-rock influences, their commercial success came through Evoy’s melodic songwriting and distinctive vocal delivery.
The group’s debut LP, Bearings (1969, Capitol SKAO-6328), documented this transitional phase. While rooted in blues-based arrangements, the album yielded the single ‘You, Me And Mexico’, which became an international hit in 1970 and established Edward Bear as a significant Canadian pop-rock act. The follow-up album, Eclipse (1970, Capitol SKAO-6349), produced the Canadian hit ‘You Can’t Deny It’ and further expanded the band’s national profile.
As lineup changes continued, Edward Bear shifted toward a more accessible, harmony-driven pop sound. Their self-titled album, Edward Bear (1972, Capitol ST-6387), produced several major Canadian hits, including ‘Fly Across The Sea’ and ‘Masquerade’. During this period, Edward Bear placed multiple singles in the upper reaches of the RPM charts and appeared extensively in concert across Canada.
The band’s greatest success came with ‘Last Song’ (1972), a million-selling single that reached number one in Canada and became a major international hit. At the time of recording, the lineup included Larry Evoy, Roger Ellis, Bill Loop, and Bob Kendall. In recognition of this achievement, Edward Bear received the Juno Award for Outstanding Group Performance in 1972.
Edward Bear’s fourth and final studio album, Close Your Eyes (1973, Capitol SKAO-6395), continued their commercial momentum. The title track, written by Evoy as a narrative sequel to ‘Last Song’, became another major hit internationally and marked the band’s final Top Ten success. The album also documented a collaborative phase with the backing group The Potatoes, whose members were credited alongside the core band.
Despite continued radio exposure, internal differences and shifting musical priorities led to Edward Bear’s dissolution in the mid-1970s. A compilation album, The Best of the Bear (Edward Bear 1969–84), later gathered key recordings from the band’s Capitol years and included selected solo material by Evoy.
Following the breakup, Larry Evoy pursued a solo career, releasing the LP Larry Evoy on Attic Records in 1978. Danny Marks remained an active performer in Toronto nightclubs through the 1980s, known for his broad repertoire and musical impressions. Other members continued careers in performance, education, and session work.
-Robert Williston
Musicians
Larry Evoy: drums, percussion, vocals
Roger Ellis: acoustic guitar, vocals
Bob Kendall: organ, harmonies
Gene Martynec: synthesizer
Backing band – The Potatoes
Denny Deporter: electric and acoustic rhythm guitars, harmonies
Randy Gulliver: electric and acoustic pianos, celeste, harmonies
Bill Loop: bass, whistling, harmonies
Tim Wynveen: lead guitars, harmonies
Arrangements
String and horn arrangements by Doug Riley
Production
Produced by Gene Martynec for Bear Productions
Engineered by Bill Seddon
Recorded at Thunder Sound, Toronto
Executive producer: Paul White
Artwork
Photography by Bill Piton, Leah Lariviere, and David Alexander
Artwork by Bob Kendall
Album design by Larry Evoy
Manufacturing
Manufactured and distributed by Capitol Records (Canada) Ltd.
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