Rare Earth

From the Sunliners to Motown

Rare Earth formed in Detroit in 1960 as the Sunliners, an R&B group, and took its name in 1968 (some sources give 1961 for the start). Peter Hoorelbeke, who performed as Peter Rivera, and Gil Bridges were the only original Sunliners; more than thirty musicians have passed through, with Bridges the constant. They were the first successful Motown act made up only of white members, though not the first white band signed to Motown. Motown had no name for its new rock imprint; the band jokingly suggested Rare Earth and the label adopted it. The debut Dreams/Answers on Verve in 1968 was unsuccessful, and the group moved to Motown in 1969.

Their first hit was a 21-minute cover of the Temptations' "Get Ready", on the platinum album Get Ready (1969, US 12). Ecology (1970), "Born to Wander" and the Temptations cover "(I Know) I'm Losing You" followed; One World (1971) brought "I Just Want to Celebrate", the signature song, and the live Rare Earth in Concert (1971) reached 29. Earth, Wind and Fire, the Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan opened for them at their peak. On April 6, 1974 they opened California Jam in Ontario, California before more than 250,000 people. Hoorelbeke left in July 1974 after a dispute and formed HUB, and later records include Back to Earth (1975), Rarearth (1977), Grand Slam (1978) and A Brand New World (2008). Gil Bridges died on December 8, 2021, aged 80, and a new line-up was formed in 2022. The band was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame in 2005.