Why on earth wasn't "Love Music" from the "Band Together" album released as a single? The album "Band Together", in my opinion, had many wonderful tracks...and it was right in step with the disco era and the times...the songs did not sound outdated in any way...I felt that they were cutting edge tracks. I guess it all comes down to politics! Another question I have is this: Do these idiots on the scene today think recording "artists" such as Kid Rock are worthy of all of these hits and millions of dollars when hard working groups like Rare Earth had to work and sweat for every penny they received? I feel that Rare Earth basically got screwed by the music industry. They were heavy hitters who were basically ignored by the rock press, and who received little or no backing from their record company. It is so sad when Rivera mentions in his book that the record awards they received were cheaply made glued on wood plaques, and furthermore...IN MY OPINION I think this may have been reversed racism and Rare Earth got the shaft from Motown. But the good part is that Rare Earth left us a nice catalog of wonderful music to be enjoyed for many, many years. amusto42@hotmail.com
Good point. But maybe that's somewhat Barry's fault too. I sometimes think that Rare Earth were treated like the "read headed step children" by the label. Not because of skin color but because the type of music and the way they recorded their albums...together as a band, unlike the normal studio procdures @ Motown. They probably didn't receive the roalties they were due either, much less taking into consideration the band's royalty rate.
An example: Willie Remembers. That album had a lot of potential yet it seems the label didn't even promote the thing. Good Time Sally and We're Gonna Have A Good Time (especially) could've been been top 40 singles. Maybe they thought it sounded "too white"? Who knows. I'm sure Pete, Ray & Gil could weigh in on that subject far better.
Yes, Rare Earth deserved better in many ways. But, after all is said and done, the music remains. And when I think of Rare Earth, I think of the music.
