Rare Earth formed in Detroit in 1969 as a multiracial collective with members including Gil Bridges on vocals, Peter Hoorelbeke on trumpet, and Ray Monette on baritone saxophone. They signed with Motown Records in 1970 and released their debut album 'Get Ready,' which featured the hit single of the same name. Their sound mixed soul, R&B, and funk, and they were known for energetic live performances.
Their biggest success came with songs like 'I Just Want To Celebrate' and 'Hey Big Brother,' which became radio staples in the early 1970s. The band went through lineup changes during this period, including Monette's departure in 1973, which was followed by the addition of saxophonist Bill Saxton and guitarist Mike Bruner. These shifts affected the group's stability even as their recordings continued to find an audience.
Beyond those hits, their catalog includes tracks like '(I Know) I'm Losing You' and 'Born To Wander.' Rare Earth's work from that Detroit-Motown period remains what most listeners remember, with 'I Just Want To Celebrate' still turning up on classic rock and oldies stations.
Keep it compact: a lyric you come back to, a live memory, or the part of the catalog you would point someone toward first.
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