Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

RARE EARTH

Detroit soul-rock band: Gil Bridges on reeds, John Persh on bass and trombone, Pete Rivera on drums played and sang in Detroit bars; recommended to Motown by white session guitarist Dennis Coffey, added three members, signed to Motown '69, one of the few white acts on the label; the original three were the only constant factor. Much of their material was co-created by prod. Norman Whitfield at Motown; first LP Get Ready charted at no. 12 late '69 with 21.5 minute version of title track, cover of a Temptations hit, edited for no. 4 single. Other LPs steadily slipped down chart: Ecology '70, One World '71, Rare Earth In Concert and Willie Remembers '72, Ma '73, Back To Earth '75, all on their own Rare Earth imprint; they slipped out of the top 100 LPs with Rare Earth and Band Together on Prodigal '77-8.