# Keytar Bear > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Keytar_Bear > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Keytar_Bear.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keytar_Bear > Source revision: 1356649317 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Busker from Boston Massachusetts Keytar Bear Keytar Bear at the Patriots Super Bowl LIII Victory Parade near Government Center Background information Origin Boston, Massachusetts, United States Genres Various Occupations Musician, teacher Instrument Keytar Years active 2011 (2011)–present Musical artist **Keytar Bear** is the name given to a [busker](/source/Busker) from [Boston](/source/Boston), [Massachusetts](/source/Massachusetts). The nickname "Keytar Bear" was given as he wears a bear outfit and plays a [keytar](/source/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.[1][2] Keytar Bear setting up in [Salem, Massachusetts](/source/Salem%2C_Massachusetts) two days before [Halloween](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Sutton%2C_Massachusetts). Keytar Bear also mentioned that he is [biracial](/source/Biracial), but has never met his dad who was in the military.[2] 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.[2] It was also revealed by *[The Boston Globe](/source/The_Boston_Globe)* that he is a music and hip-hop dance teacher.[3] ## History Keytar Bear started performing in 2011 after buying a bear costume from the movie [Ted](/source/Ted_(film)) 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.[4] In 2014 Cambridge declared May 8 to be "Keytar Bear and Abigail Taylor Day" after a successful performance for charity.[5] [Mick Jagger](/source/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](/source/Start_Me_Up)".[6] On June 12, 2018, [Trillium Brewing Company](/source/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.[7] ## 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.[8] 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.[9][10][11] Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Keytar Bear](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Keytar_Bear). ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Michael Marottaon (April 30, 2014). ["Public Assembly: Boston comes together to help Keytar Bear regain his musical mojo"](https://vanyaland.com/2014/04/30/public-assembly-boston-comes-together-help-keytar-bear-regain-musical-mojo/). *Vanityland*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181206192541/https://vanyaland.com/2014/04/30/public-assembly-boston-comes-together-help-keytar-bear-regain-musical-mojo/) from the original on December 6, 2018. Retrieved December 6, 2018. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Vice_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Vice_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Vice_2-2) Alex Norcia (October 25, 2018). ["Boston's Keytar Bear Is a Great Musician, When People Aren't Punching Him"](https://www.vice.com/en/article/bostons-keytar-bear-is-a-great-musician-when-people-arent-punching-him/). *[Vice News](/source/Vice_News)*. Retrieved December 6, 2018. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["This bear's bullish on life"](https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2017/06/07/this-bear-bullish-life/AKie9uB9hapKRmS6TouDaM/story.html). [The Boston Globe](/source/The_Boston_Globe). June 7, 2017. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170611083341/http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2017/06/07/this-bear-bullish-life/AKie9uB9hapKRmS6TouDaM/story.html) from the original on June 11, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Interview_4-0)** Steve Annear (April 4, 2014). ["The Keytar Bear Tells All"](https://www.bostonmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/blog/2014/04/04/keytar-bear-boston-interview/). *Boston Magazine*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170619033027/http://www.bostonmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/blog/2014/04/04/keytar-bear-boston-interview/) from the original on June 19, 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Michael Marotta (May 9, 2014). ["Bearing Good News: May 8 declared 'Keytar Bear and Abigail Taylor Day' in Cambridge"](http://www.vanyaland.com/2014/05/09/bearing-good-news-may-8-declared-keytar-bear-abigail-taylor-day-cambridge/). *www.vanyaland.com*. Retrieved June 19, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Kristi Palma (November 2, 2016). ["Mick Jagger is a fan of Boston's beloved Keytar Bear"](https://www.boston.com/news/music/2016/11/02/mick-jagger-is-a-fan-of-bostons-beloved-keytar-bear/). Boston.com. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170110175616/https://www.boston.com/news/music/2016/11/02/mick-jagger-is-a-fan-of-bostons-beloved-keytar-bear) from the original on January 10, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Jacqueline Cain (June 12, 2018). ["Trillium Brewing Unveils a Keytar Bear Beer Can"](https://www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/2018/06/12/trillium-keytar-bear-beer-festival-tickets/). Boston Magazine. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180615154431/https://www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/2018/06/12/trillium-keytar-bear-beer-festival-tickets/) from the original on June 15, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2018. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Chris Caesar (November 1, 2014). ["2 Arrested After Keytar Bear Assault, Robbery"](https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2014/11/01/2-arrested-after-keytar-bear-assault-robbery/). *Boston.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180726105235/https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2014/11/01/2-arrested-after-keytar-bear-assault-robbery) from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Dalton Main (June 18, 2017). ["Boston's 'Keytar Bear' attacked; 3 juveniles arrested, police say"](http://www.statesman.com/news/national/boston-keytar-bear-attacked-juveniles-arrested-police-say/9f3Zv5XpP0UxOmZWIkMBWO/). *www.statesman.com*. Retrieved June 20, 2017.[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Melissa Buja and Karen Hensel (June 18, 2017). ["Boston Musician 'Keytar Bear' Attacked; 3 Teens Arrested"](http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/3-Juveniles-Facing-Charges-in-Alleged-Assault-on-Bostons-Keytar-Bear-429215713.html). NBC. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170822145540/http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/3-Juveniles-Facing-Charges-in-Alleged-Assault-on-Bostons-Keytar-Bear-429215713.html) from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Marc Fortier (22 June 2017). ["Keytar Bear is Back!"](http://www.necn.com/news/new-england/Keytar-Bear-is-Back-430110913.html). *[NECN](/source/NECN)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170820152858/http://www.necn.com/news/new-england/Keytar-Bear-is-Back-430110913.html) from the original on 20 August 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2017. ## External links - [Keytar bear](https://www.facebook.com/welovekeytarbear) on [facebook](/source/Facebook) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Keytar Bear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keytar_Bear) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keytar_Bear?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.