1983
[Pre Bears]

King Crimson guitarist and solo artist, Adrian Belew produces the raisins, a popular band from Cincinnati.
The raisins consist of Rob Fetters, Bob Nyswonger, Rik Nihisel, and Bam Powell.
 

1985

[The Bears are born]

THE BEARS DEBUT ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1985 @ BOGARTS IN CINCINNATI, OH USA
The Bears performed their very first live show to a sold out Bogarts.  

NOVEMBER 22 - THE BEARS SELL OUT THE RITZ IN NYC
The Bears perform for a SOLD OUT crowd at The Ritz in New York City.  The 2000 seat club turns away over 1200 people.

THE BEARS BEGIN THEIR WORLDWIDE TOUR
Rob, Bob, Chris, and Adrian hit the streets and perform for hundreds of thousands from the US to Israel.  The tour continues for three years.

1987
 

THE BEARS DEBUT CD IS RELEASED

You know the cover.  MAD magazine's Mort Drucker created the cover art for this unbelievably well written pop album on PMRC records.  They release a video and single for the track, "Trust".

The Bears appear on an MTV Thanksgiving show.

1988

THE BEARS 2nd CD, RISE AND SHINE IS RELEASED.

After the incredible debut album, Rob, Bob, Chris, and Adrian do it again.  All new material plus alternate versions of two tracks from their first album as bonus tracks.  ("Figure It Out" and "Man Behind the Curtain")  

A video for "Aches and Pains" hits the MTV airwaves on their Post-Modern MTV program. 

The Bears also release a promotional recording called "Talking About Music Is Like Whistling About Chickens" which features a clip of each song from Rise & Shine, along with narration from Rob and Adrian.

PMRC - folds and the Bears are left without a record label.  They all remain friends but the band breaks up.
 

1989

[The Bears go into hibernation]

ADRIAN'S HIT SINGLE
With the release of his solo album, "Mr. Music Head", Adrian releases a video for his song, "Oh Daddy" and is seen regularly on MTV. The Mr. Music Head US tour is a success and spans the East and West coasts.

1990

ADRIAN TOURS WITH DAVID BOWIE AS HIS BAND LEADER
FOR THE SOUND+VISION TOUR
After David Bowie sees Adrian on his Mr. Music Head tour and is impressed with the
full sound from just 3 guys, he dubs Adrian as his band leader for his world tour.

1991

PSYCHODOTS RELEASE SELF-TITLED ALBUM
Rob, Bob, and Chris release their first album as psychodots.

1992

ADRIAN'S INNER REVOLUTION
Adrian records a new solo record and enlists Chris Arduser to play drums on a few tracks.  "Member of the Tribe", "Standing in the Shadows", "This Is What I Believe In", and "Heaven's Bed".  When Adrian toured for Inner Revolution, he asked Rob to join him as guitarist for the band.  The bare tracks of just Chris and Adrian are made available later in StoreBelew.

1993

PSYCHODOTS RELEASE THEIR 2ND ALBUM, "ON THE GRID"

1994

ADRIAN'S "HERE" TOUR
Adrian asks psychodots to join him on tour as a double bill.  They open the show with a great reception and then play along with him as the band.  Despite the fact a few Bear growls were heard, many thought this was going to be a Bears reunion, it wasn't.

1995

PSYCHODOTS RELEASE THEIR 3RD ALBUM, AWKWARDSVILLE

Psychodots' 2nd album.  They release a video for the song, "Mattress"

CHRIS ARDUSER'S BAND, THE GRAVEBLANKETS RELEASE THEIR FIRST ALBUM

1997

ROB FETTERS 1st SOLO ALBUM, LEFTY-LOOSE RIGHTY TIGHT
Rob and Adrian work together in getting Rob's first solo album released.  Adrian contributes drums and vocals to several tracks.  
There is even a Belew/Fetters collaboration with the song, "The Blame Game".

THE BEARS BEGIN WRITING AND RECORDING THEIR NEW ALBUM
Throughout the next 4 years, the Bears meet at Adrian's house in Nashville, Tennessee to write and record their new album.

THE BEARS INDUCTED INTO
THE CEA'S ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME
On November 22, the Bears were inducted into the CEA's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

FETTERS & BELEW PERFORM AN
ACOUSTIC SHOW IN NASHVILLE
Rob performs the new Bears' song, "Dave" as well as several tracks from his solo album.  
Adrian performs a collection of solo and King Crimson tunes and Rob joins him for an acoustic Bears classic, "Super Boy".

2001
[THE BEARS ARE BACK]

THE BEARS RELEASE THEIR FIRST ALBUM IN 13 YEARS, CAR CAUGHT FIRE
After 3 years in the making, Rob, Bob, Chris, & Adrian release "Car Caught Fire".  The album contains 13 all new tracks that prove to be long overdue and a huge success with fans.

BEARS' MUSIC APPEARS ON ABC TV
Prior to the new Fall season, ABC Television uses the Bears' song, "Caveman" as background theme for their new Jim Belushi show, "According to Jim".  

THE BEARS' "CAR CAUGHT FIRE" WINS ALBUM OF THE YEAR AT THE CINCINNATI ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS.
On November 26, 2001, just 4 years after being inducted into CEA's Hall of Fame, the Bears won Album Of The Year for Car Caught Fire.  Rob Fetters and Bob Nyswonger accepted the award shortly after Rob's solo performance of the Bears' "As You Are". 

2002

THE BEARS ANNOUNCE TOUR
The Bears tour Eastern USA!

THE BEAR APPEAR ON WORLD CAFE
On January 24th, World Cafe aired their Bears special.

BEARS BEGIN THEIR 2002 CAR CAUGHT FIRE TOUR
January 30 - the Bears began their 2002 Car Caught Fire tour in Dayton, OH and continue with SOLD OUT venues from Ohio to Boston

PRESS PHOTO FROM CAR CAUGHT FIRE

BEARS LIVE CD RELEASED
The Bears release their very first LIVE recording from the successful "Car Caught Fire" tour.

BEARS VIDEO FOR MR. BONEPARTE

The Evil Dr. Minz created a flash music video for the Bears' Mr. Boneparte. 
Click the image above to view.

BEARS TOUR AGAIN - FALL 2002
Seven months after The Bears finished their first successful tour, they hit the road once again, playing many of the same locations as before and to standing-room-only venues.

Bears Tour - 2002

PSYCHODOTS REUNITE FOR THEIR ANNUAL THANKSGIVING SHOW
Rob, Bob, and Chris perform together as psychodots in Dayton, OH on November 27th and in Newport, KY on November 29th.

2003

THE BEARS REGROUP FOR MORE RECORDING SESSIONS
Rob, Bob, Chris, & Adrian gather together on numerous occasions to begin work on their
next studio release.

BEARS APPEAR IN GEEK.COM REVIEW
Fellow Bears fan, Nick Triano wrote a review of the IPOD on Geek.com and simultaneously
promoted the Bears.  Read the Review here.
Thanks, Nick!

2004

"THE BEARS LIVE AT CLUB CAFE" DVD IS RELEASED
Merging Media releases the long awaited Bears DVD, "The Bears - Live At Club Cafe".  The DVD gets rave reviews from fans and critics alike and contains over 90 minutes of concert footage, interviews, and as an added bonus, a tour of Adrian's home studio.

2005

ROB, ADRIAN, & CHRIS ALL RELEASE SOLO RECORDS
Rob, Adrian, & Chris released solo records. 
Adrian releases "Side One" (January 25)  and "Side Two" (July 12) 
Rob releases "Musician". (May 2005)
Chris releases "Celebrity Motorcade"
 

2006

ADRIAN RELEASES SOLO ALBUM, "SIDE THREE"
Adrian releases "Side Three" (April 18) and tours Italy, Australia, and US

THE BEARS LOSE KEN LATCHNEY

from Rob Fetters...
I am deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved Ken Latchney. As a player in one of the many groups Kengineer recorded and toured with, I know first hand what a bright, talented, and hard working man he was. I learned a great deal about recording with him, and he played an integral role in shaping our efforts to make meaningful music. Working with him was challenging and fun. He teased me mercilessly when I made mistakes, but was never short on praise when I got things right. His gentle shyness faded over time and was supplanted by humor and charm as the years went by in my association with him. He was a rare combination of a guy who could be frighteningly gruff and businesslike all day long pursuing a great studio performance, and then at session's end giving me a hug and quietly saying, "Yeah, I love you too, Queenie." I will miss him terribly, and my wife and kids will miss his funny and loving Christmas cards. I am grateful for my luck in having the opportunity to work with him.  - Rob Fetters

from Bob Nyswonger...
I’m still in a state of disbelief that our friend and musical co-conspirator Ken is gone.  I enjoyed working with him so much – he was extremely dedicated to his art and so very talented.  Whether Ken was running a recording session or mixing front of house at a live show, you knew that everything on the technical end was well under control… which in turn allowed us to concentrate on making the music happen.

I remember telling him once I was a tad intimidated by his having worked with some of the very finest bassists in the world, to which he replied “you’re right there too - just as good as any of them.”  I can’t begin to express what that meant to me.  I think Ken had a real affinity for bassists, maybe because his role was similar – being supportive at all times, above all else.

His kindness to my wife, Laura was nothing less than amazing & she absolutely loved him.  He took her under his wing at the out-of-town shows & let her stay with him by the board - I never had to worry about her well- being when I was on stage.

Ken had the skills and the ears to handle about any engineering gig out there.   He truly loved working closely with Adrian, and as a small part of a big whole, I am so blessed to have had the pleasure of knowing him, working with him, and being his friend. 

RIP Kengineer

THE BEARS - OUT OF HIBERNATION

"the bears: out of hibernation! is a rockumentary road trip featuring the critically acclaimed, pop music band The Bears.  The doc goes behind-the-scenes with musicians Adrian Belew, Chris Arduser, Rob Fetters & Bob Nyswonger as they reunite for their first tour in 13 years.  The cameras shadow the band for 36 hours as they wander the winter roads linking their sold-out shows in Detroit and Chicago.  Along the way, The Bears reflect on the realities of Indy rock: killer music, cheap hotels, freeway jams & diseased meat!"

For more information on screening "The Bears: Out of Hibernation"  Please Contact:  D.P. Carlson - Film Foetus, Inc. - (773) 545-0741

This DVD has never been released.

2007

THE BEARS RELEASE THEIR FOURTH STUDIO ALBUM, "EUREKA!"

EUREKA TOUR 2007
 

PRESS PHOTOS FROM EUREKA

RAISINS PLAY THEIR ANNUAL THANKSGIVING SHOW IN OHIO

CHRIS ARDUSER RELEASES "HAPLESS"

2008

Adrian tours with his Power Trio (Adrian, Julie Slick [bass] & Eric Slick [drums])