Rare Earth

Originally formed at the Sunliners in 1960, the group changed its name to Rare Earth in 1968. The same year Rare Earth issued their debut album “Dream/Answers” on Verve Records, however the record failed to earn any attention for the group. Consisting of vocalist, saxophone and flute player Gil Bridges, lead singer and drummer Pater Hoorelbeke, bassist and trombone player John Parrish, guitarist Rod Richards, keyboard player Kenny James, and percussionist Edward Guzman, the group subsequently signed with the Motown subsidiary named after the band, Rare Earth Records. Initially making no waves across the U.S. with the release of their sophomore album “Get Ready”, the band released three minutes of their 21-minute rendition of the Temptations hit single “Get Ready”, which subsequently peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. The result of which led the album “Get Ready” to enjoy a newfound success, later peaking at No. 12 on the Billboard 200.

Following the release Richards and James left the group marking the arrival of guitarist Ray Monette and keyboard player Mark Olson. Rare Earth released a string of albums in the early 1970s beginning with the No. 15 “Ecology” in 1970, “One World” in 1971, “Willie Remembers” in 1972, and “Ma” in 1973. It was the band’s singles however that generated the most success for Rare Earth, with the group releasing a second Temptations cover “(I Know) I’m Losing You”, “Born to Wander”, and “I Just Want to Celebrate”. Following a failed collaboration with Stevie Wonder and an unreleased live album, the band ceased touring in 1974, however returned in 1975 to release the full-length “Back to Earth”. Peaking at No. 59 on the Billboard 200, the record far outperformed its predecessor and spawned the single “It Makes You Happy (But It Ain’t Gonna Last Too Long)”.

Drawing from the climate’s disco upsurge, Rare Earth’s subsequent release “Midnight Lady”, was released in 1976 however was largely ignored by the musical press. The Motown subsidiary Rare Earth Records was discontinued around this time and the group subsequently disbanded. Returning in 1977 the group released their self-titled, fifth album, followed by a pair of albums “Band Together” and “Grand Slam” in 1978. Featuring a changing cast of touring and recording musicians the band has remained a popular live act and has continued to release new material into the ‘80s, ‘90s, and new millennium.