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Rare Earth (band)

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Rare Earth
Also known asThe Sunliners (1960–68)
OriginDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres
Years active1968 (1968)–present
Labels
Past membersSee past members section
Websiterareearth.com

Rare Earth is an American rock band from Detroit, Michigan. According to Louder, "Rare Earth's music straddles genres and defies categorisation, slipping seamlessly between the two seemingly disparate worlds of classic rock and R&B."[6] The band was signed to Motown's subsidiary label Rare Earth. Although not the first white band signed to Motown, Rare Earth was the first successful act signed by Motown that consisted only of white members.[7]

History

1960s

The group formed in 1960 as the Sunliners and changed its name to Rare Earth in 1968.[7] The band felt the name "Rare Earth" was more in keeping with the names other bands were adopting, such as Iron Butterfly, more "with it."[6]

After recording an unsuccessful debut album, Dream/Answers, on the Verve label in 1968, the group was signed to Motown in 1969.[7] The band was one of the first acts signed to a new Motown imprint that would be dedicated to white rock acts;[6] many of the subsidiary's newly signed acts played blues-oriented and progressive rock styles, including Rare Earth themselves.[3] The record company did not have a name for the new label yet and the band jokingly suggested Motown call the label "Rare Earth". To the band's surprise, Motown decided to do just that.[7]

The main personnel in the group were Gil Bridges, saxophone, flute, vocals; Peter Hoorelbeke (aka Peter Rivera),[8] lead vocals, drums; John Parrish (aka John Persh), bass guitar, trombone, vocals; Rod Richards (born Rod Cox), guitar, vocals; and Kenny James (born Ken Folcik), keyboards. The group's recording style was hard-driving.

In late 1969, Edward "Eddie" Guzman (congas and assorted percussive instruments) was added to the group.

During 1969, the group contributed music to the film Generation that starred David Janssen and Kim Darby. An accompanying soundtrack album was released, but quickly withdrawn after the film failed commercially, with only a small number of copies sold. Several tracks were remixed and included on the next LP, Ecology, in 1970. The soundtrack album was reissued as a limited edition LP for Record Store Day 2020. The issue was pressed on hot pink vinyl and limited to a run of 2,000 copies.[9]

1970s

Rare Earth had a number of top 40 hits in 1970–71, including remakes of the Temptations' "(I Know) I'm Losing You" and "Get Ready". Each was more successful than the Temptations original, with "Get Ready" being their biggest hit, peaking at number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. This disc sold over one million copies and received a gold record awarded by the Recording Industry Association of America.[10] The group gained a bit of notoriety when it was mentioned dismissively in Gil Scott-Heron's 1970 poem, "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised", which included the line, "The theme song [to the revolution] will not be written by Jim Webb, Francis Scott Key, nor sung by Glen Campbell, Tom Jones, Johnny Cash, Engelbert Humperdinck, or the Rare Earth."[7]

In 1971, Richards left due to musical differences, and James, weary of the group's increased touring schedule, also departed. Ray Monette (guitar) and Mark Olson (keyboards, vocals) joined to replace them.

The group's hits from late 1970 to early 1972 were "Born to Wander" (number 17), "I Just Want to Celebrate" (number 7), and "Hey, Big Brother" (number 19). There were no significant hits thereafter. Nevertheless, the band continued to record into the 1990s.

By 1972, Motown had decided to relocate from Detroit to Los Angeles and Rare Earth soon followed suit. Persh, however, decided not to make the move and was succeeded in the band by Mike Urso (Persh later died from a hospital staphylococcal infection on January 27, 1981). NBC reported that, at about this time, the police found "reputed mob enforcer" Joe Ulloa started financing the band, which seems to have resulted in the band members being eventually harassed by "strangers" several years later asking if they were hiding money.[11][12]

Concert promotion for a 1973 concert with Rare Earth headlining in Indianapolis.

Their 1973 album, Ma, written and produced by Norman Whitfield, is considered one of their best overall works, and features their version of "Hum Along and Dance".[7] But the record did not sell well, and produced no hits.

Rare Earth was the opening act at California Jam festival in Ontario, California on April 6, 1974. The festival attracted over 250,000 people,[13] and the band appeared alongside 1970s rock groups Black Sabbath; Emerson, Lake & Palmer; Deep Purple; Earth, Wind & Fire; Seals and Crofts; Black Oak Arkansas and Eagles. Portions of the show were broadcast on ABC Television in the U.S., exposing the band to a wider audience.

In 1974, the group began working with Motown producer Frank Wilson on their next project. But in his autobiography, "Born to Wander", Hoorelbeke described his having objections when Wilson okayed a song contributed by Olson without running it by the others first. Hoorelbeke thought the song was not up to the band's usual standards and Wilson ended up being taken off the project. The Frank Wilson sessions, which would have been the follow-up to Ma, were mainly completed but remained in the vaults of Motown. A proposed double live record, recorded in 1974, and another live set, Live in Chicago, were also shelved.

In July 1974, the group divided. Mike Urso left the group along with Hoorelbeke and they formed a new band, HUB, with Rare Earth's 1970–1972 co-producer, Tom Baird, using the initials of their surnames (Hoorelbeke, Urso and Baird). HUB went on to record two albums for Capitol Records (HUB and Cheata) but came to a sudden end in November 1975 after Baird was killed in a boating accident.

The others (minus Olson, who left to join the backup band for Jennifer Warnes) decided to continue as Rare Earth and brought in new players: Jerry LaCroix (vocals, sax, harmonica, formerly of the Boogie Kings, Edgar Winter's White Trash and Blood, Sweat & Tears), Paul Warren (guitar, backing vocals), Bartholomew ("Frosty") Eugene Smith-Frost (formerly with Sweathog and Lee Michaels, drums), Reggie McBride (ex-Stevie Wonder, bass) and Gabriel Katona (keyboards).

The new lineup recorded Back to Earth in 1975 and went back on the road. However, both Paul Warren and Frosty left during this tour and new drummer Chet McCracken (who would go on to join the Doobie Brothers) was hired to finish out their 1975 tour. The band then recorded Midnight Lady (minus Katona and McCracken), which was released in 1976. Frank Westbrook replaced Katona on keyboards, whilst McCracken was not replaced, instead session musician Ollie Brown handled percussion duties for Midnight Lady. But neither of these releases sold as well as the band had been used to and they soon found themselves bogged down and unable to tour when they brought a lawsuit against former member Hoorelbeke, falsely claiming that he'd tried to make off with the group's name and retirement monies. The lawsuit was eventually settled in Hoorelbeke's favor and he was given a settlement.

In late 1976, a former Motown vice president, Barney Ales, an earlier champion of Rare Earth, returned to the company to head up one of their new offshoot labels, Prodigal Records. He made an offer to reunite the 1972–74 members of the band; Bridges, Guzman, Hoorelbeke, Urso, Olson and Monette to record a new album on Prodigal. However, Monette and Olson did not agree to the terms and abstained. Session players Dan Ferguson (guitar) and Ron Fransen (keyboards) were brought in instead to play on Rarearth, which was produced by both James Anthony Carmichael and Cal Harris (both of which later had success with the Commodores and Lionel Richie). It was released in 1977 but failed to reach expectations.

Later in 1977, the group reassembled with Chicago-based producer John Ryan (who worked with Styx and others) to begin work on two new albums. This time, Monette and Olson agreed to join in and the results were Band Together and Grand Slam, both released in 1978 and featuring more of a late 1970s disco sound, with the former providing the Bee Gees-penned hit "Warm Ride", which peaked at number 39. Other than the one solitary hit, neither album was a big seller. Gap Band bassist Robert Wilson contributed to some of the tracks on Band Together.

In June 1979 Urso left the band again. On his recommendation, and after hearing several bass players, the group recruited bassist Ken Johnston, who joined the group's road tours for two years until June 1981. Johnston had just completed a stint with jazz singer Maxine Weldon and had rejoined Las Vegas comedian/songster Kenny Laursen. He interrupted his tour with Laursen to join Rare Earth in Florida.

1980s and 1990s

Former Motown writer Dino Fekaris, who had penned the band's hits "I Just Want to Celebrate" and "Hey Big Brother", was next to step back into the group's life in 1980. He had just come off back to back successes with Gloria Gaynor and Peaches & Herb and had won a Grammy Award for Gaynor's hit "I Will Survive". RCA expressed interest in the band's new project and gave them an advance to go ahead and start recording. The project was originally to be titled King of the Mountain, with the title track slated to be the theme of a 1981 movie of the same name that starred Harry Hamlin. But the movie people passed on the song, and when the record was done, RCA was not happy with Fekaris' production, so they passed as well. This album, retitled Tight & Hot, saw a very limited release in 1982 in Canada only.

By the summer of 1981, Mike Urso had returned to Rare Earth after a two-year absence, but he left again in mid-1983, and has not returned to the band since then. Tim Ellsworth was then brought in as new bassist/vocalist in September 1983. By the tail end of that year, Peter Hoorelbeke was let go from the band again after disagreements with Gil Bridges. (Hoorelbeke went on to form the Classic Rock All-Stars in 1992.) Drummer Tony Thomas replaced Hoorelbeke on drums. After Hoorelbeke's departure, Ellsworth and Olson took over lead vocals. By that time most of the members of the band had moved back to Detroit, and the group continued to tour.

Personnel shuffles abounded in the mid-1980s. In September 1984, Bob Weaver took over the drum throne and played with the group into 1985. He was temporarily succeeded by Bob Brock, whose professional name was Bobby Rock (not Bob Rock, the famous Hard rock/Heavy metal producer from Canada), but returned only to be replaced by Jerry LeBloch in mid-1985. Also in September of '84, Andy Merrild replaced Tim Ellsworth as bassist until the end of June 1985. Ellsworth then returned and toured with the group until the end of August of '85. The group's road manager, Randy "Bird" Burghdoff, took over as Rare Earth's bassist in September 1985 and has remained in that position ever since. Mark Olson was let go in 1986 after increasing personal and substance abuse troubles. (Olson died on April 14, 1991, at the age of 41, from liver disease.) Rick Warner was then brought in as the band's new keyboardist and Wayne Baraks, who was recruited in 1987 on rhythm guitar, took over much of the lead vocals as well.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s the personnel changes slowed down somewhat as things stabilized and the band found itself in demand to play on "oldies" bills with other acts of the 1960s and 1970s.

Drummer Dean Boucher replaced LeBloch on drums in 1989 and RE signed with the small foreign label Koch International and began work on a new album. The result was Different World (released in February 1993) which was a collection containing a few covers of older songs and new material. It was mostly overlooked by the public and not even issued in the U.S.

On July 29, 1993, the band suffered the loss of another member when long time percussionist Eddie Guzman (age 49) died at his home in Howell, Michigan.

The group kept going, though, and brought in new drummer Floyd Stokes Jr., who also took over for the departing Boucher, and took on lead vocal duties too after guitarist Baraks pulled out of the group in 1994.

Other than Mike Bruner's succeeding Rick Warner in January 1998 and Ivan Greilich's filling in for Ray Monette for five years (2004–2009), the lineup was stable overall until Monette's final departure in 2017.

Rare Earth continued to perform at corporate events on the oldies circuit. Bits from their recordings have been used as samples on recordings as diverse as Beck's "Derelict", UNKLE, and DJ Shadow's "GDMFSOB (feat. Roots Manuva - U.N.K.L.E. uncensored version)", Black Sheep's "Try Counting Sheep", Peanut Butter Wolf's "Tale of Five Cities", Scarface's "Faith", NWA's "Real Niggaz Don't Die" and Eric B. and Rakim's "What's Going On".

2000 and beyond

Their hit "I Just Want to Celebrate" has been used in US-wide advertising campaigns by Ford Motor Company, AT&T Corporation, and Nicoderm.

In 2005 Rare Earth was voted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.[14]

The album A Brand New World was released on CD in 2008 on Rare Earth Music.

In March 2017 long time guitarist Ray Monette announced his retirement from the band due to recurring back troubles. His replacement was Jerry "Lew" Patterson.[15]

Rare Earth continued playing events such as Disneys Anniversary- Hippie Fest, The Moody Blues Cruises and Classic Rock Festivals.[citation needed]

Gil Bridges, the last original member appearing in the current Rare Earth lineup, died from complications arising from COVID-19 on December 8, 2021, aged 80.[16]

In 2022, Metallica released a live recording from the MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit Concert at Club Nokia in Los Angeles on May 12, 2014. The performance includes a cover of "I Just Want to Celebrate" by Rare Earth.[17]

In 2023, several artists performed Rare Earth's "I Just Want to Celebrate" to kick off the 2023 Grammy Awards.[18]

Members

Current members[19]

  • Mike Bruner – keyboards (1998–present)
  • Wayne Baraks – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1987–1994, 2023-present)
  • Dan Medawar – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Ronnie Nelson – percussion
  • "Rollo" Michael Rollin – lead vocals, flute, saxophone
  • Ron Cousineau – bass, backing vocals
  • Keith Christian – drums, backing vocals

Former members

  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, backing and lead vocals (1968-2021 [his death])
  • Peter Hoorelbeke (a.k.a. Peter Rivera) – drums, lead vocals (1968–1974, 1976–1983)
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, vocals (1971–1976, 1977–2004, 2009–2017)
  • Randy "Bird" Burghdoff – bass, vocals (1985–2021)
  • Floyd Stokes Jr. – drums, lead vocals (1993–2021)
  • Jerry Lew Patterson – lead guitar (2017) to(2021)
  • John Persh (a.k.a. John Parrish) – bass, trombone, vocals (1968–1972; died 1981)
  • Rod Richards (born Rod Cox) – lead guitars, vocals (1968–1971)
  • Kenny James (born Ken Folcik) – keyboards (1968–1971)
  • Eddie Guzman – percussion (1969–1993; died 1993)
  • Mark Olson – keyboards, lead vocals (1971–1974, 1977–1986; died 1991)
  • Mike Urso – bass, vocals (1972–1974, 1976–1979, 1981–1983)
  • Jerry LaCroix – vocals, saxophone, harmonica (1974–1976; died 2014)
  • Reggie McBride – bass (1974–1976)
  • Gabriel Katona – keyboards (1974–1976)
  • Barry "Frosty" Frost – drums (1974–1975; died 2017)
  • Paul Warren – rhythm guitars, backing vocals (1974–1975)
  • Chet McCracken – drums (1975–1976)
  • Jimi Calhoun – bass (1976)
  • Frank Westbrook – keyboards (1976)
  • Ken Johnston – bass, vocals (1979–1981)
  • Tim Ellsworth – bass, lead vocals (1983–1984, 1985)
  • Tony Thomas – drums (1983–1984)
  • Bob Weaver – drums (1984–1985)
  • Andy Merrild – bass (1984–1985)
  • Bobby Rock – drums (1985)
  • Jerry LeBloch – drums (1985–1990)
  • Rick Warner – keyboards (1986–1998)
  • Wayne Baraks – rhythm guitars, lead vocals (1987–1994)
  • Dean Boucher – drums (1990–1993)
  • Ivan Greilich – lead guitars, vocals (2004–2009)
1968–1969 1969–1971 1971–1972 1972–1974
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, backing vocals
  • Peter Hoorelbeke – drums, lead vocals
  • Kenny James – keyboards
  • John Persh – bass, trombone, backing vocals
  • Rod Richards – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, backing vocals
  • Peter Hoorelbeke – drums, lead vocals
  • Kenny James – keyboards
  • John Persh – bass, trombone, backing vocals
  • Rod Richards – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Eddie Guzman – percussion
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, backing vocals
  • Peter Hoorelbeke – drums, lead vocals
  • John Persh – bass, trombone, backing vocals
  • Eddie Guzman – percussion
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Mark Olson – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, backing vocals
  • Peter Hoorelbeke – drums, lead vocals
  • Eddie Guzman – percussion
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Mark Olson – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Mike Urso – bass, backing vocals
1974–1975 1975–1976 1976 1976–1977
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, backing vocals
  • Eddie Guzman – percussion
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Barry "Frosty" Frost – drums
  • Gabriel Katona – keyboards
  • Jerry LaCroix – lead vocals, saxophone, harmonica
  • Reggie McBride – bass
  • Paul Warren – rhythm guitars, backing vocals
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, backing vocals
  • Eddie Guzman – percussion
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Gabriel Katona – keyboards
  • Jerry LaCroix – lead vocals, saxophone, harmonica
  • Reggie McBride – bass
  • Chet McCracken – drums
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, backing vocals
  • Eddie Guzman – percussion
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Jerry LaCroix – lead vocals, saxophone, harmonica
  • Reggie McBride – bass
  • Frank Westbrook – keyboards
  • Jimi Calhoun – bass
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, backing vocals
  • Eddie Guzman – percussion
  • Peter Hoorelbeke – drums, lead vocals
  • Mike Urso – bass, backing vocals
1977–1979 1979–1981 1981–1983 1983
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, backing vocals
  • Eddie Guzman – percussion
  • Peter Hoorelbeke – drums, lead vocals
  • Mike Urso – bass, backing vocals
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Mark Olson – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, backing vocals
  • Eddie Guzman – percussion
  • Peter Hoorelbeke – drums, lead vocals
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Mark Olson – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Ken Johnston – bass, backing vocals
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, backing vocals
  • Eddie Guzman – percussion
  • Peter Hoorelbeke – drums, lead vocals
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Mark Olson – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Mike Urso – bass, backing vocals
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, backing vocals
  • Eddie Guzman – percussion
  • Peter Hoorelbeke – drums, lead vocals
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Mark Olson – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Tim Ellsworth – bass, backing vocals
1983–1984 1984–1985 1985 1985
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, lead vocals
  • Eddie Guzman – percussion
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Mark Olson – keyboards, lead vocals
  • Tim Ellsworth – bass, lead vocals
  • Tony Thomas - drums
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, lead vocals
  • Eddie Guzman – percussion
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Mark Olson – keyboards, lead vocals
  • Andy Merrild – bass
  • Bob Weaver – drums
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, lead vocals
  • Eddie Guzman – percussion
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Mark Olson – keyboards, lead vocals
  • Bobby Rock – drums
  • Tim Ellsworth – bass, lead vocals
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, lead vocals
  • Eddie Guzman – percussion
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Mark Olson – keyboards, lead vocals
  • Bob Weaver – drums
  • Tim Ellsworth – bass, lead vocals
1985 1985–1986 1986–1987 1987–1990
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, lead vocals
  • Eddie Guzman – percussion
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Mark Olson – keyboards, lead vocals
  • Tim Ellsworth – bass, lead vocals
  • Jerry LeBloch – drums
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, lead vocals
  • Eddie Guzman – percussion
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Mark Olson – keyboards, lead vocals
  • Randy "Bird" Burghdoff – bass
  • Jerry LeBloch – drums
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, lead vocals
  • Eddie Guzman – percussion
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Randy "Bird" Burghdoff – bass
  • Jerry LeBloch – drums
  • Rick Warner – keyboards
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, backing and lead vocals
  • Eddie Guzman – percussion
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Randy "Bird" Burghdoff – bass
  • Jerry LeBloch – drums
  • Rick Warner – keyboards
  • Wayne Baraks – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
1990–1993 1993–1994 1994–1998 1998–2004
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, backing and lead vocals
  • Eddie Guzman – percussion
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Randy "Bird" Burghdoff – bass
  • Rick Warner – keyboards
  • Wayne Baraks – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Dean Boucher – drums
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, backing and lead vocals
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Randy "Bird" Burghdoff – bass
  • Rick Warner – keyboards
  • Wayne Baraks – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Floyd Stokes Jr. – drums, backing vocals
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, backing and lead vocals
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Randy "Bird" Burghdoff – bass
  • Rick Warner – keyboards
  • Floyd Stokes Jr. – drums, lead vocals
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, backing and lead vocals
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Randy "Bird" Burghdoff – bass, backing vocals
  • Floyd Stokes Jr. – drums, lead vocals
  • Mike Bruner – keyboards
2004–2009 2009–2017 2017–2021 2022–present
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, backing and lead vocals
  • Randy "Bird" Burghdoff – bass, backing vocals
  • Floyd Stokes Jr. – drums, lead vocals
  • Mike Bruner – keyboards
  • Ivan Greilich – lead guitars, lead vocals, keyboards, bass
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, backing and lead vocals
  • Randy "Bird" Burghdoff – bass, backing vocals
  • Floyd Stokes Jr. – drums, lead vocals
  • Mike Bruner – keyboards
  • Ray Monette – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Gil Bridges – saxophone, flute, backing and lead vocals
  • Randy "Bird" Burghdoff – bass, backing vocals
  • Floyd Stokes Jr. – drums, lead vocals
  • Mike Bruner – keyboards
  • Jerry "Lew" Patterson – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Mike Bruner – keyboards
  • Wayne Baraks – guitar, lead vocals
  • Dan Medawar – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Ronnie Nelson – Percussion
  • Rollo Rollin – Vocals, Flautist, Saxophone
  • Ron Cousineau – Bass, backing vocals
  • Keith Christian – Drums, backing vocals

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album Chart positions Certification
US
[20]
US R&B
[20]
AUS
[21]
1968 Dreams/Answers
1969 Get Ready 12 4
1969 Generation (Soundtrack)
1970 Ecology 15 4
1971 One World 28 12 30
1972 Willie Remembers 90 46
1973 Ma 65 12
1975 Back to Earth 59
1976 Midnight Lady
1977 Rarearth 187
1978 Band Together 156
1978 Grand Slam
1982 Tight and Hot
1993 Different World
2008 A Brand New World
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Live albums

Year Album Chart positions Certification
US
[20]
US R&B
[20]
AUS
[21]
1971 Rare Earth in Concert (double album) 29 19 26
1974 Live in Chicago
1989 Made in Switzerland
2004 Rock 'n' Roll Greats RARE EARTH in concert!
2008 Rare Earth Live
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Singles

Year Single Chart positions Certification
US
[20]
US R&B
[23]
AUS
[21]
CAN
1969 "Generation, Light Up the Sky"
1970 "Get Ready" 4 20 1
"(I Know) I'm Losing You" 7 20 15
"Born to Wander" 17 48 12
1971 "I Just Want to Celebrate" 7 30 83 10
"Someone to Love"
"Any Man Can Be a Fool"
"Hey Big Brother" 19 40 20
1972 "What'd I Say" 61
"Good Time Sally" 67
"We're Gonna Have a Good Time" 93
1973 "Ma" 108
"Hum Along and Dance" 110 95
"Big John Is My Name"
1974 "Chained"
1975 "Keepin' Me Out of the Storm"
"It Makes You Happy" 106
1976 "Midnight Lady"
1978 "Warm Ride" 39 68 33
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

  • 1975 Masters of Rock
  • 1976 Disque d'Or
  • 1981 Motown Superstar Series, Vol. 16
  • 1984 Rare Earth & Grand Funk: Best of 2 Superstar Groups
  • 1988 Get Ready/Ecology (Double CD)
  • 1991 Greatest Hits & Rare Classics
  • 1994 Earth Tones: Essential
  • 1995 Anthology: The Best of Rare Earth (2 CD & 2 Cassette Set)
  • 1995 Rare Earth featuring Peter Rivera
  • 1998 The Very Best of Rare Earth
  • 2001 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Rare Earth
  • 2004 The Collection
  • 2005 Get Ready and More Hits
  • 2006 Best of Rare Earth
  • 2008 Fill Your Head: The Studio Albums 1969-1974

References

  1. ^ Tucker, Dan (February 18, 2014). "Epic Jams: The 20 Longest Songs In Classic Rock History". VH1. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  2. ^ Wedel, Mark (January 20, 2019). "The funk-rock Motown sound of Rare Earth to headline Ribfest in Kalamazoo". Kalamazoo Gazette. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Flory, Andrew (May 30, 2017). I Hear a Symphony: Motown and Crossover R&B. University of Michigan Press. ISBN 9780472036868. Retrieved July 28, 2023. Many of Rare Earth's groups, including a popular band called Rare Earth, explored heavy blues-oriented and progressive rock styles.
  4. ^ Jim McCarthy; Ron Sansoe (2004). Voices of Latin Rock: People and Events that Created this Sound. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 38. ISBN 978-0-634-08061-6.
  5. ^ Jim McCarthy; Ron Sansoe (2004). Voices of Latin Rock: People and Events that Created this Sound. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 12. ISBN 978-0-634-08061-6.
  6. ^ a b c McIntyre, Ken (December 16, 2016). "Cult Heroes: Rare Earth - Motown's funkiest white band". LOUDER. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Deming, Mark. "Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  8. ^ Voger, Mark (July 26, 2014). "Peter Rivera: Founding Rare Earth singer-drummer talks music". NJ.com. The Star-Ledger. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  9. ^ "Rare Earth – Vinyl LP – Generation (Original Soundtrack) (Hot Pink Vinyl)". Culture Factory. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020.
  10. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 284. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  11. ^ "East Coastings - Hard Hitting" (PDF). Cashbox. May 9, 1979. p. 14.
  12. ^ "Segment 3: Crime Rock". Vanderbilt University: Vanderbilt Television News Archive. May 7, 1979.
  13. ^ "About Me - donbranker.com". donbranker.com. April 6, 1974. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  14. ^ "Michigan Rock and Roll Legends - RARE EARTH". Michiganrockandrolllegends.com.
  15. ^ "Ray Monette - Guitar Legend - Rare Earth Forum". March 4, 2017.
  16. ^ "Gil Bridges, Co-Founder and Sax Player For Rare Earth, Dies". Best Classic Bands. August 3, 2015. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  17. ^ Armstrong, Chuck (June 29, 2022). "Metallica Covers the Beatles, Deep Purple and More on New Live EP". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  18. ^ "INTO THE WOODS Wins 2023 Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album". www.theatrely.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  19. ^ "Gil Bridge's Rare Earth". Rare Earth. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  20. ^ a b c d e "Rare Earth - Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 18, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  21. ^ a b c Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 246. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  22. ^ a b c d e "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  23. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2017). Top R&B Singles 1942-2016. Sheridan Books. ISBN 978-0-89820-222-9.