Born in New York City and raised in the Caribbean as Richard Gerstein – Richard T. Bear boasts a career that spans more than 40 years, one that led to a string of acclaimed solo albums and collaborations with a number of influential icons, including Al Kooper, Stephen Stills, former Rascals Gene Cornish and Dino Danelli, Kiss, Pat Benatar and many more. He has shared stages with artists such as Dave Mason, Mick Fleetwood, the Doobie Brothers, Richie Havens and Odetta. T. Bear penned “Love and Pain,” a track found on Take Me Home, one of Cher’s most successful albums and also tallied several hits on his own, including the single “Sunshine Hotel” from his debut album Red, Hot and Blue. He has appeared on a number of recordings including CSN’s Southern Cross, Billy Squier’s Tale of the Tape and The Blues Brothers Soundtrack album.
After taking some time to focus on his own sobriety, T. Bear became an early activist helping others with addiction. His self-imposed hiatus lasted nearly three decades, and now T Bear is back with two striking new releases, Fresh Bear Tracks and The Way of the World, his first studio albums in 25+ years.
Richard is a distinctive singer and talented keyboard
player. His latest albums feature a host of special
guests. From Stephen Stills, Robby Krieger, Edgar Winter, Walter Trout, to former Paul McCartney & Wings members Laurence Juber and Denny Seiwell and The Heartbreakers’ Benmont Tench.
His latest album, The Way of The World, was written and recorded as the world emerged from the pandemic. It boasts a stunning set of 13 original songs. Musically, it’s a stirring melodic mix of blues, rock n roll, Americana, and roots.
T. Bear’s first album spawned the single “Sunshine Hotel.” A remix of the song climbed to #4 on the world dance charts before becoming the dance staple that it remains today. Richard has appeared on numerous recordings by iconic artists including Crosby, Stills and Nash’s Southern Cross, The Blues Brothers Soundtrack, Richie Havens Mixed Bag II, Kiss members Gene Simmons and Peter Criss’ solo ventures, as well as Toby Beau’s hit single My Angel Baby.
As a soloist T Bear found his initial inspiration in the sounds of the British Invasion. At age 13 he was writing his own songs. An early break came when he was working at Manny’s Music in New York City when Hot Tuna’s Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady stopped in and hear him improvising on piano. They were impressed enough to ask him to sit in with them during a Hot Tuna show at the famed Fillmore East. He worked for a time as Carly Simon’s road manager and opened shows for the likes of Jeff Beck and Richie Havens before moving to Los Angeles.
In 1983, he took a lengthy hiatus from making music to get his personal life in order before returning to action in 2017. Fast forward to the present and T Bear is so excited about the new album. As he puts it, “Making The Way of the World was like getting a new pair of glasses. I see everything more clearly and in focus around me. These are songs that made me think and dream. It’s an oasis for the mind.”
Meet Richard T Bear this week as he unravels his incredible story of survival and comeback against all odds.
I hope you really enjoy this episode.
