Biography

 

When MOXY first exploded onto the scene in 1974 with their hit song ‘Can’t You See I’m a Star’ they were

 

destined to become part of the alumni of heavy hitting Canadians making a mark in the U.S.A. . . .

 

The promising sound of the single received heavy radio support from CHUM (AM) in Toronto and led to the 

 

band's signing of a contract with Polydor Records of Canada in December 1974. The Polydor Records 

 

contract was mainly due to the popularity and reputation of lead vocalist Buzz Shearman.

 

The spring of 1976 "Fantasy" and "Sail on Sail Away" hit the top 20 charts on KISS-FM radio in San Antonio, 

 

Texas. KISS-FM disc jockey Joe Anthony had the freedom to play the album in its entirety on many 

 

occasions through the late 1970s. MOXY renegotiated a new contract with Polydor of Canada for distribution 

 

in affiliation with Mercury Records. Both labels were owned by PolyGram Records at the time, who reissued 

 

the self-titled debut album in North America and worldwide in 1976.

 

After a few years of touring, MOXY went from a bar band to headline concert attraction in Canada. MOXY II 

 

was recorded in the band's hometown of Toronto at Sound Stage studio with famed Aerosmith producer 

 

Jack Douglas.

 

 

Just a year after the first album for Canadian fans, but three short months after the reissued copy of MOXY I 

 

was released in the U.S. MOXY II received international press coverage for the band. Most reviews predicted 

 

success for the band and comparisons were made to Aerosmith, Rush and Deep Purple. MOXY II was also 

 

highly acclaimed on its release by Geoff Barton of the UK music publication Sounds (magazine), who made 

 

the album available to its readers for the special price of only £1.50. Geoff Barton would later refer to MOXY

 

as the Canadian Led Zeppelin.

 

 

MOXY saw success touring the U.S. with the likes of such artists as Boston, Styx, AC/DC, Black Sabbath and 

 

Rainbow just to name a few.

 

 

In March 1980, Buzz was a candidate to replace the deceased Bon Scott in AC/DC but because his recurring 

 

vocal cord problems would not allow him to tour extensively, AC/DC band members ultimately decided on 

 

ex-Geordie singer Brian Johnson. In 1982, Buzz, Earl and Bill helped fellow Canadian singer/songwriter Lee 

 

Aaron on her debut album called "The Lee Aaron Project". By 1983, Buzz was working a day job at Shaw 

 

Industries, just barely holding MOXY together while shopping around for a new record deal. Then tragedy 

 

struck when Buzz died in a motorcycle accident, on June 16, 1983, at the age of 33, just north of Toronto.

 

 

FAST FORWARD!!!!!!! After writing and recording new material over the years with different versions of 

 

MOXY, the time had come to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the legacy and do it right! So a new band was 

 

assembled for just an occasion. So along with founding member Earl Johnson an international cast of 

 

musicians were brought on board, including Juno award winning vocalist Nick Walsh.

 

 

 

Earl Johnson (Lead Guitar)

 

Nick Walsh (Lead Vocals) - Slik Toxik, Famous Underground

 

Rob Robbins (Guitar, Background Vocals) – Steel Lily, Rhett Forrester

 

Desche Sparboom (Drums) 

 

Chaz Butcher (Bass, Background Vocals)