GOOD EYE MIKE!! THAT SHOT WAS TAKEN ON THE STAGE AT CAL-JAM. WHAT A SHOW THAT WAS!! THE EARLIER SHOT OF THE BIG CROWD IS CAL-JAM TOO. OVER 200,000 STRONG.
ACTUALLY.....THAT WAS AT AN OUTDOOR FESTIVAL IN GEORGIA THAT WE DID WITH JAMES. WE WORKED WITH HIM ONCE MORE IN EUROPE LATER. SEE THE GUY STANDING IN THE DOORWAY BEHIND US? HE WAS JAMES'S BODYGUARD,AND WATCHED HIM LIKE A HAWK. JAMES WAS "REAL" PEOPLE,JUST AS NICE AS COULD BE.
ACTUALLY.....THAT WAS AT AN OUTDOOR FESTIVAL IN GEORGIA THAT WE DID WITH JAMES. WE WORKED WITH HIM ONCE MORE IN EUROPE LATER. SEE THE GUY STANDING IN THE DOORWAY BEHIND US? HE WAS JAMES'S BODYGUARD,AND WATCHED HIM LIKE A HAWK. JAMES WAS "REAL" PEOPLE,JUST AS NICE AS COULD BE.
Too cool Ray!
Being in the presence of James Brown...wow! He had soul. For me, it's singers like James, Otis Redding (Monday being the 40th anniv. of his death), and Marvin Gaye that define soul for me.
THAT'S SOME OF THE TOP SOUL SINGERS OF ALL TIME!! I WAS A FAN OF JAMES WHEN I WAS 14. MEETING HIM WAS "AWESOME"!!! BELIEVE IT OR NOT,HE TOLD US THAT HE REALLY LIKED OUR MUSIC.
AND.....YES,MOST OF THESE ITEMS ARE ON THE WALL,IN A ROOM THAT MY WIFE PUT TOGETHER. GREAT MEMORIES!!
I can't begin to tell you how much I've enjoyed seeing these photos of Rare Earth through the years. I particularly liked the live shots.
I join John in saying thanks for sharing these Ray!!
There's a photo you posted early on in this thread featuring the band sat outside a wooden hut. Eddie is smoking a cigarette and there is a large dog in the foreground. Am I right in presuming that the dog is "Willie", Peter's dog, that prompted the LP title?
GLAD YOU ENJOYED! RALPH'S RIGHT......PETER'S FIRST SHEEPDOG WAS NAMED GEORGE. WHEN GEORGE PASSED,HE GOT A SECOND ONE NAMED.............YOU GUESSED IT!! WILLIE.
Just wanted to say if anyone has photos they would like to share with everyone then if you can not find a way to upload through the forum just send your jpegs to photos@rareearthworld.co.uk and they can be included in the gallery pages.
Thanks ever so much for all these great photos you have posted.
The photo attached to this post by "anonymous" is the configuration of Rare Earth that I saw in October 1993, when you guys came to Ohio. I was fortunate enough to have gotten back stage to a room where you guys were signing autographs and greeting fans and you, Gil and Ed signed the 8x10, which I have carefully preserved inside the record compartment of my "One World" album.
An acquaintence saw your early 90's configuration of Rare Earth in another part of Ohio, and told me that Pete was playing bass, not drums, any longer, and that he was singing back up, not lead vocals. After I heard this, I thought it ridiculous, and was almost afraid to go. As soon as I got there, and saw the bassist, I knew it wasn't Pete. I suppose, at that time, to a casual fan, from a distance, the bassist could have been mistaken for Pete, but the devoted fan would know straight off it wasn't Pete. ; )
As I've pointed out before in my prior posts, I was fortunate and blessed by having the opportunity to have shaken your hand as well as conversed with you, Ed and Gil, which is one of my most memorable moments in life. To this day, I can't believe that I was just a few inches from the stage when you were doing your guitar solo in "Get Ready", and I'll never forget it!
Thank you Ray for sharing these pictures with us :)
I recognize eddie, gil and you on the bottom. On the top I only recognize randy in the middle. Who are the other 2 gents? I'm guessign that's an mid 80's promo shot.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL THE KIND WORDS!! GLAD YOU ENJOYED THE PICS. MANY PEOPLE MISTOOK "BIRD" FOR PETER. IT CREATED A LOT OF CONFUSION.BUT LIKE YOU SAID,THE REAL FANS NEW WHAT WAS UP.
Seeing all the great photos that Ray has loaded on to forum, the poster for In Concert in particular looked so good on the wall it made me dig out my copy which I have had tucked away in cupboard for many years, and take it to a picture framing shop to have it framed, now I have to find some spare wall space to hang it lol.
That reminds me of something Richard...thank you for bringing it up:
While going thru the vinyl for my needledrop project, I found that poster in the In Concert album. I hadn't spun the vinyl in years. As for the poster I forgot all about how I was able to have it signed by the guys when I saw them in 1992. I'll have to get that scanned to share it here, time permitting.
This one's from my collection...from the night I saw the band in Rock Island, Illinois in 1992. Ahh...memories. That was a great show. To be 16 again... My dad was right there with me that night. It brought back memories for him too...he saw the band several times in their heyday.
This one's from my collection...from the night I saw the band in Rock Island, Illinois in 1992. Ahh...memories. That was a great show. To be 16 again... My dad was right there with me that night. It brought back memories for him too...he saw the band several times in their heyday.
I have to add:
Kudos to Randy for havging the guys sign the poster. By chance, I was waiting on the side of the stage near a U-haul or Ryder truck when this guy saw a 16 yr old kid with some Rare Earth records under his arm...he was gracious enough to say "If you like, I'll take something to have the band sign if you'd like". Well, twist my arm
Great photos Mike, particularly the pairings of the 73/74 line-up. I wonder what got Mike so tickled?
Finding these photos this morning...well, its like Santa's been all over again. Keep 'em coming. I just wish I had some RE related photos to share in return.
More than happy to share some photos. The last 3 photos I posted come from the inside gatefod sleeve of "Willie Remembers". I remember being 8 yrs old and getting that album. As a kid I used to think "what do those guys think is so funny?"
I wonder if Ray, Pete or Gil could shed some light on that photo session. To this day, Willie is my fave RE album. A little less funky and more rock and roll but still very good. Why "Good Time Sally" and "We're Gonna Have A Good Time" didn't break the top 40 is beyond me.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL THE KIND WORDS!! GLAD YOU ENJOYED THE PICS. MANY PEOPLE MISTOOK "BIRD" FOR PETER. IT CREATED A LOT OF CONFUSION.BUT LIKE YOU SAID,THE REAL FANS NEW WHAT WAS UP.
THANKS AGAIN STEVE!
RAY
Dear Ray,
I am so sorry that I missed this the other day when reading the posts.
You are so very welcome.
I am grateful to you for sharing all these photos with us. I am especially fond of the black and white promo shot that would have been taken during the One World/ Rare Earth in Concert era, that includes John Persh. Those particular albums are my favorites. Your guitar solos in "The Seed" and " Under God's Light" I just can't get enough of, as well as the way you intermingled acoustic and electric guitar within "If I die" and "The Seed" as well as the construction of the melody of these wonderful tunes.
Thanks for pointing out that many confused "Bird" with Peter. I'll make sure I tell the friend who thought that at the time. He felt pretty ''stupid" after finding out that it wasn't Peter.
ED CARAEFF DID THE PHOTOS,AND CAME UP WITH THE CONCEPT FOR WILLIE. WE WENT TO HIS HOUSE IN L.A. FOR THE PHOTO SHOOT.HE HAD THE BACKROUNDS ALL SET AND WE SPENT MAYBE TWO HOURS FOR THE SHOOT. HE WANTED US TO LOOK HAPPY,SO.....WE DID. THE ONE THING THAT STICKS OUT IN MY MIND IS THAT HE OWNED A PIT BULL. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME ANY OF US EVER CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THE BREED. THAT DOG WAS ALL MUSCLE!! WHEN HE WALKED BY YOU AND BRUSHED AGAINST YOU,HE ALMOST KNOCKED YOU DOWN!
BEN FROMM IS THE GUY ON THE COVER.HE WAS A LOCAL CHARACTER ACTOR. WHEN WE SAW THE COMPLETED ALBUM FOR THE FIRST TIME,WE ALL THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE AND DIDN'T MAKE ANY SENSE. OF COURSE IT WAS STILL BETTER THAN THE COVER OF "MA"!!LOL.
ED CARAEFF DID THE PHOTOS,AND CAME UP WITH THE CONCEPT FOR WILLIE. WE WENT TO HIS HOUSE IN L.A. FOR THE PHOTO SHOOT.HE HAD THE BACKROUNDS ALL SET AND WE SPENT MAYBE TWO HOURS FOR THE SHOOT. HE WANTED US TO LOOK HAPPY,SO.....WE DID. THE ONE THING THAT STICKS OUT IN MY MIND IS THAT HE OWNED A PIT BULL. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME ANY OF US EVER CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THE BREED. THAT DOG WAS ALL MUSCLE!! WHEN HE WALKED BY YOU AND BRUSHED AGAINST YOU,HE ALMOST KNOCKED YOU DOWN!
BEN FROMM IS THE GUY ON THE COVER.HE WAS A LOCAL CHARACTER ACTOR. WHEN WE SAW THE COMPLETED ALBUM FOR THE FIRST TIME,WE ALL THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE AND DIDN'T MAKE ANY SENSE. OF COURSE IT WAS STILL BETTER THAN THE COVER OF "MA"!!LOL.
I'm split over that "Ma" sleeve. I hated the front admittedly, but at least we got a good photo of the band on the back. Why oh why did Norman feel the need to include himself in the photo? I never saw George Martin crossing the street on Abbey Road. Besides, if Rare Earth had an extra man that deserved to be shown with the band, the true fans' vote would surely go to Tom Baird!!!
The other thing about that front cover was the fact it was white. I always kept mine in a clear plastic cover but I've seen some really discoloured versions knocking about over the years. It doesn't go well with ketchup!!
I'm split over that "Ma" sleeve. I hated the front admittedly, but at least we got a good photo of the band on the back. Why oh why did Norman feel the need to include himself in the photo? I never saw George Martin crossing the street on Abbey Road. Besides, if Rare Earth had an extra man that deserved to be shown with the band, the true fans' vote would surely go to Tom Baird!!!
The other thing about that front cover was the fact it was white. I always kept mine in a clear plastic cover but I've seen some really discoloured versions knocking about over the years. It doesn't go well with ketchup!!
I know how you feel Dave. It's sort of a tacky front cover that, imo, has no real link to the music within. In regards to Norman, I always felt that it was a bit of ego for him to be on the inside of the album cover. You'd think it would be enough to be the producer and main writer of the songs. I'm not denying Norman's talents though. I'd agree about Tom Baird...he was an unsung hero. I think Rare Earth did it's best work with Tom.
I was going through all of my vinyl tonight and while taking the record out of "One World", 2 pieces of paper slid out. I picked them up off the floor and here's what I found...I totally forgot about these! These were signed the night I saw the band in July 1992.
Ray, Love that necklace. Any chance it's still around? I'm sure many of us would be interested in a sale on e-bay of any Rare Earth paraphernalia you might still have. ; )
I WORE THAT NECKLACE FOR A FEW YEARS UNTIL ONE NIGHT. IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR SHOW THE CHAIN HOLDING IT ON BROKE,AND THE PIECES FELL ALL OVER THE STAGE. OUR ROAD MANAGER WAS FRANTICALLY PICKING UP THE BEADS,AND PIECES AS FAST AS HE COULD.I ENDED UP WITH MOST OF IT.I STILL HAVE THE PIECES IN AN ENVELOPE TUCKED AWAY.
This was a photo I shot at one of the many Chicago Gigs. As many of you may have guess Bird is jamming during the Get Ready bass solo. I recall the gig was a neighborhood celebration and Rare Earth drew in a much larger than expected crowed.
Last year during the 2007 Woodward Dream Cruise I purchased a new digital camera. I took a break from the cruise a met up with the band in Mt. Clemens, MI. I shot some more pics and will try to track those down soon.
I recognize this photo as well, taken during a gig in Matteson, IL. This was a memorable gig and I clearly recall find a way cool Chicago deep dish pizza joint. Bird, JR and I went there, small place, and waited about 45 minutes and had one of the best pizzas I could recall.
Looking forward to more Chicago gigs and of course more Chicago pies, as Bird would put it.
Thank you, VERY much, Mike, for posting this album jacket.
I once had this album, and could kick myself right in the rump for letting it go, back in the early 70's. For one thing, the outstanding quality of the recordings were 10,000 times better, as I recall, crisper and cleaner that the American releases, and I really liked the front and back jacket photos.
Hi Ray! My husband told me today that one of the guys fixed the bass player's (he thought) appliance & got a signed copy of the new CD that came out. Sweet! When I looked Rare Earth up on the internet, I found out you're no longer with the band, but have moved on to The Funk Brothers. So much for trying to get my own signed copy of the Rare Earth new release! LOL!
Anyway, I'm your cousin Laura. I recently found out you have many fans on the Kathy Cash (Johnny's daughter) blog (including Kathy Cash-Tittle). Kathy's been a good customer of my online art gallery, and I've stayed in touch with her. By the way, I am still very grateful you & Judy took me in when I was in trouble in California about 26 years ago - I'll never forget it! You guys ROCK! Thanks! I love this picture where I can see Judy by your side there. Hugs to you both!
OH! Steve's two girls got married this year. He's a first time grandpa with his youngest daughter's daughter born August 2008. Gary's son, Gary James, is expecting his 1st daughter to be born in January next year. Everyone has grown up!!! We're getting OLD!