Rare Earth (band)
| Rare Earth | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
Rare Earth in 1973
|
|
| Background information | |
| Also known as | The Sunliners (1960–68) |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1968–present |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts |
|
| Website | rareearth |
| Members |
|
| Past members | See members section |
Rare Earth is an American rock band affiliated with Motown's Rare Earth record label (named after the band), which prospered from 1970–1972. Although not the first white band signed to Motown, Rare Earth was the first big hit-making act signed by Motown that consisted only of white members. (None of the previously signed all-white acts The Rustix, The Dalton Boys, or The Underdogs had any hits.)
The group formed in 1960 as The Sunliners and changed its name to Rare Earth in 1968. After recording an unsuccessful debut album, Dream/Answers, on the Verve label in 1968, the group was signed to Motown in 1969. The band was one of the first acts signed to a new Motown imprint that would be dedicated to white rock acts. 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.
The main personnel in the group were Gil Bridges, saxophone, flute, vocals; Peter Hoorelbeke (aka Peter Rivera), 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 An accompanying soundtrack album was released, but quickly withdrawn after the film failed commercially, with only a small number of copies sold.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.
...
Wikipedia