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Canadian Sweethearts, The
The Canadian Sweethearts. Country duo comprising singers Lucille Starr and Bob Regan (b Bob Frederickson in Rolla, near Dawson Creek, BC, 13 Mar 1931, d Los Angeles 5 Mar 1990). Through his brother, country songwriter and band leader Keray Regan (b Oscar Frederickson, Pouce Coupe, BC, 23 Nov 1923), Bob Regan met Lucille Starr. Forming the popular country duo The Canadian Sweethearts, Bob Regan and Starr married and by the early 1960s moved to Los Angeles. They were successful in establishing their act there, and appeared on many US and Canadian TV shows, including ABC's "Country America." They toured several times with Hank Snow, and also toured in Europe, Asia, and South Africa. The Country Sweethearts act featured solo singing and duets, plus yodelling by Lucille; Bob also played guitar.
Recording for A & M, their output included several popular country singles 1963-8, eg "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes," "Hootenanny Express," "Freight Train," and "Blue Canadian Rockies," as well as the LP Canadian Sweethearts (1964, A & M SP-4106; reissued in 1975 as Lucille Starr with Bob Regan (A & M 2-SP-9015). This was followed by Side by Side in 1967. The anthology Side by Side: Pop and Country/Lonely Street (Collector's Choice) appeared in 2004. Their repertoire consisted of country songs and covers of contemporary folk songs, plus songs written by Regan or co-written by Regan and Starr.
The Canadian Sweethearts continued to perform together until 1977. Starr then pursued a solo career, while Regan, moving to Germany, sang as a solo act and with other partners.
