Fosterchild

Fosterchild
Fosterchild, circa 1977. (l-r) Barry Boothman, Peter Sweetzir, Vern Wills, Jim Foster, Gerry Wand
Background information
Origin	Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Years active	1976–1981
Labels	Columbia Vera Cruz
Associated acts	Loverboy Paul Dean One Horse Blue Long John Baldry Gaye Delorme Aaron Pritchett
Past members	Jim Foster Vern Wills Peter Sweetzir Barry Boothman Gerry Wand Doug Johnson Gordon Marr Dwight Thompson Bob "Mickey" Mathews

Fosterchild was a notable Canadian band that existed from 1976 to1981, releasing three albums.

Fosterchild was formed in Calgary, Canada in 1976 by Jim Foster and Vern Wills, both of whom had first played together as teenagers. In 1976, the band was signed to CBS Records Canada at the initiative of producer Bob Gallo, then head of A&R for CBS Records Canada.

The band's music was categorized as rock, with country influences, as opposed to country rock, with most of their material written or co-written by Foster and Wills. During their first recording contract, Foster and Wills were discouraged by Gallo from writing predominantly pop songs.

The core membership of the band was Foster and Wills, on guitars and vocals, initially with Gordon Marr on guitar, Dwight Thompson on bass and Bob "Mickey" Mathews on drums.Gaye Delorme produced the band's first demos, at Edmonton's Sundown Recorders. Prior to recording the band's first album, Peter Sweetzir was added on keyboards, while Barry Boothman replaced Thompson on bass and Gerry Wand replaced Mathews on drums.

The band released three albums and had two nationally charting singles, "Until We Meet Again" and "I Need Somebody Tonight". The band's regular touring base was primarily western Canada.

Fosterchild's first two albums, Fosterchild (1977) and Troubled Child (1978) were on Columbia Records, both recorded at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver, with Bob Gallo as producer. The Fosterchild album is notable as featuring renowned session drummer Larrie Londin, who had previously been a drummer in Elvis Presley's touring band and recordings.

Gordon Marr left the band, following the release of their first album. In 1978, following the release of their second album, Troubled Child, Doug Johnson was added on second keyboards for the band's tour in support of the album. However, record company interest in the band waned, and their cross-Canada tour was cut short. Their relationship with the CBS ended thereafter. Barry Boothman left the band at this point. Doug Johnson also did not continue with the group, beyond touring in support of Troubled Child.