There will likely be a few black armbands amongst I Mother Earth's fans now that lead singer Edwin has left the mega-selling Toronto band.

The good news is the parting won't occur until after I Mother Earth takes part in this summer's eight-city Edgefest tour which kicks off at Molson Park in Barrie on June 28. I Mother Earth will also take part in the still-to-be annnounced western leg of the tour, which is expected to run until the end of July.

News of Edwin's departure is not completely surprising, given he had done such high profile gigs as singing for Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson's side band Victor. Still, I Mother Earth recently completed a successful cross-Canada tour with Moist, which included four sold-out shows at the Warehouse, and have sold 200,000 copies of their latest album Scenery And Fish, and 100,000 copies of 1992's debut Dig.

"Basically Edwin will go on to pursue a solo career," said a record company spokesperson, adding the band -- formed in 1990 by brothers Jag and Christian Tanna -- will look for a new lead singer when they go back into the studio to record the followup to Scenery And Fish.

Meanwhile, this year's Edgefest mainstage lineup includes Our Lady Peace, The Tea Party, Collective Soul, Holly McNarland and BTK. Glueleg, Age Of Electric, Finger Eleven, Kinnie Starr, Sara Craig and Zuckerbaby play on the second stage.

Early bird tickets, $19.50, go on sale Saturday at Ticketmaster or can be charged by phone.