Keytar Bear
{{short description|Busker from Boston Massachusetts}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Keytar Bear
| image = File:Keytar Bear at Patriots Parade 2019.jpeg
| alt =
| caption = Keytar Bear at the Patriots Super Bowl LIII Victory Parade near Government Center
| image_size =
| landscape =
| label =
| origin = Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| genre = Various
| years_active = {{start date|2011}}–present
| occupation = Musician, teacher
| instrument = Keytar
| associated_acts =
| website =
}}
Keytar Bear is the name given to a busker from Boston, Massachusetts. The nickname "Keytar Bear" was given as he wears a bear outfit and plays a keytar in his performances, usually near subway and train stops. Little is known about the busker other than small bits of his life, as the performer in the suit prefers to remain anonymous. Keytar Bear has been involved in several unprovoked attacks by "drunks and youths" over the years prompting public displays of support.{{cite web|url=https://vanyaland.com/2014/04/30/public-assembly-boston-comes-together-help-keytar-bear-regain-musical-mojo/|title=Public Assembly: Boston comes together to help Keytar Bear regain his musical mojo|work=Vanityland|author=Michael Marottaon|date=April 30, 2014|accessdate=December 6, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/bostons-keytar-bear-is-a-great-musician-when-people-arent-punching-him/|title=Boston's Keytar Bear Is a Great Musician, When People Aren't Punching Him|author=Alex Norcia|work=Vice News|date=October 25, 2018|access-date=December 6, 2018}}
File:Keytar Bear 2022.jpg two days before Halloween 2022]]
Biography
Little is known about Keytar Bear's identity as he is emphatic that his real name not be used in any given context. In an interview done in with Vice News in 2018, he would only state that he was "somewhere in his 20s and 30s". As of 2022, he has stated his name is Zeus. Keytar Bear though has been open about some of his life saying that he was interested in music since he was a kid, and was homeschooled by his grandmother in Sutton, Massachusetts. Keytar Bear also mentioned that he is biracial, but has never met his dad who was in the military. He also mentioned that he was inspired by a real-life bear in the form of a mother bear and her cub that would visit his grandmother's backyard. It was also revealed by The Boston Globe that he is a music and hip-hop dance teacher.{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2017/06/07/this-bear-bullish-life/AKie9uB9hapKRmS6TouDaM/story.html|title=This bear's bullish on life|publisher=The Boston Globe|date=June 7, 2017|accessdate=June 19, 2017}}
History
Keytar Bear started performing in 2011 after buying a bear costume from the movie Ted for Halloween. When asked why he decided to start performing in a bear costume, he stated that he wants to "kill" racism. He went on to say; "You don’t know if [I’m] black or white, you just see a little bear.{{cite web|url=http://www.bostonmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/blog/2014/04/04/keytar-bear-boston-interview/|title=The Keytar Bear Tells All|work=Boston Magazine|author=Steve Annear|date=April 4, 2014|accessdate=June 20, 2017}}
In 2014 Cambridge declared May 8 to be "Keytar Bear and Abigail Taylor Day" after a successful performance for charity.{{cite web|url=http://www.vanyaland.com/2014/05/09/bearing-good-news-may-8-declared-keytar-bear-abigail-taylor-day-cambridge/|title=Bearing Good News: May 8 declared 'Keytar Bear and Abigail Taylor Day' in Cambridge|work=www.vanyaland.com|author=Michael Marotta|date=May 9, 2014|accessdate=June 19, 2017}} Mick Jagger said on his Facebook page that he is a fan of the bear, and posted a video of him performing "a cuddly cover of Start Me Up".{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/news/music/2016/11/02/mick-jagger-is-a-fan-of-bostons-beloved-keytar-bear|title=Mick Jagger is a fan of Boston's beloved Keytar Bear|publisher=Boston.com|author=Kristi Palma|date=November 2, 2016|accessdate=June 19, 2017}}
On June 12, 2018, Trillium Brewing Company released a beer called the Keytar Bear Double IPA to honor the Boston busker. Part of the proceeds from the sales of the beer went to help the performer after a motorcycle crash in the spring. While initially he did not think he would be able to perform in the summer, the performer was seen out and about (with crutches) after the release of the beer.{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/2018/06/12/trillium-keytar-bear-beer-festival-tickets/|title=Trillium Brewing Unveils a Keytar Bear Beer Can|publisher=Boston Magazine|author=Jacqueline Cain|date=June 12, 2018|accessdate=June 15, 2018}}
Incidents
Keytar Bear has been subjected to multiple attacks involving robbery and battery. In November 2014, he was beaten and robbed near Faneuil Hall, which led to the arrest of two people. The attack left his keytar broken, but it was later replaced through donations.{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2014/11/01/2-arrested-after-keytar-bear-assault-robbery|title=2 Arrested After Keytar Bear Assault, Robbery|work=Boston.com|author=Chris Caesar|date=November 1, 2014|accessdate=June 19, 2017}}
A fourth attack occurred on June 17, 2017, when three teenagers from New Hampshire beat and robbed the performer, which again damaged his equipment. The teenagers were arrested shortly afterwards, and an online fundraising page raised $9,500 to help Keytar Bear with his losses.{{cite web|url=http://www.statesman.com/news/national/boston-keytar-bear-attacked-juveniles-arrested-police-say/9f3Zv5XpP0UxOmZWIkMBWO/|title=Boston's 'Keytar Bear' attacked; 3 juveniles arrested, police say|work=www.statesman.com|author=Dalton Main|date=June 18, 2017|accessdate=June 20, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/3-Juveniles-Facing-Charges-in-Alleged-Assault-on-Bostons-Keytar-Bear-429215713.html|title=Boston Musician 'Keytar Bear' Attacked; 3 Teens Arrested|publisher=NBC|author=Melissa Buja and Karen Hensel|date=June 18, 2017|accessdate=June 20, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.necn.com/news/new-england/Keytar-Bear-is-Back-430110913.html|title=Keytar Bear is Back!|work=NECN|author=Marc Fortier|date=22 June 2017 |accessdate=June 22, 2017}}
{{commonscat|Keytar Bear}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.facebook.com/welovekeytarbear Keytar bear] on facebook
{{authority control}}
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:21st-century American musicians
Category:American street performers
Category:American male singers