With all the planned celebebrations for Motowns 50th birthday this month, ie TV shows, radio documentaries, magazine articles etc. Could I ask that if anyone comes across any references to Rare Earth in anything could they please inform us all on this thread. Many thanks.
This should be pretty interesting to a lot of us. There are going to be 50 Motown related video features leading up to the big anniversary. Right now also one up w/ Holland, Dozier, Holland at this same link.
I see Rare Earth's version of Get Ready is featured on the 50th Anniversary CD that's been released. I hadn't got my reading glasses with me but I'm sure I saw it listed on the last disc which features cover versions. I suppose technically it is a cover but only for 3 minutes out of 20 plus minutes!!!
There was a programme on UK Television last week which featured Martin Freeman (played the part of Tim in the UK version of The Office) visiting Hitsville Detroit. He was shown around the studio then flew over to LA. He talked about Motown from the early days through to their move to the West Coast. The Funks played a couple of songs for him. Uriel Jones, Eddie Willis and Bob Babbit were there but I was gutted that Ray wasn't to be seen. He also met some of the Jacksons and discussed their ealy days at Motown and Mary Wilson was featured. No mention of Rare Earth sadly
The BBC here in the UK are really pushing the boat out with all things Motown 50 loads of programmes on BBC Radio 2, but sadly no references to Rare Earth. I thought they were going to be name checked the other night on BBC Radio London on a special 2 hour show where guests were in the studios telling their Motown stories and selecting their fave tunes, one of the presenters said "here's a quirky fact, did you know Motown had their very own white rock band?", "no we didn't" was the response from several of the other people in the studio, "yeah they were called Black Russian".....and there I was thinking they were certainly going to say Rare Earth lol. I did see a short video of Harry Weinger walking round the famous Motown vaults in New York and Harry mentioned Russ Terrana, but thats the closest reference I have come across....The video was from the Detroit Free Press site.
Hard to believe that Black Russian could get a mention ahead of Rare Earth.
Black Russian were much later on Motown weren't they? I never got to hear them and never realised they were a white rock band. Another Motown act I was always curious to hear was a band called Platinum Hook. I never got to hear any of their music but the name sounded good. Anyone know what these two bands were like?
I notice that Motown UK are issuing a series of 45rpm singles with a limited run of 2000 for each as part of the Motown50 celebrations, no Rare Earth on the list I saw, so I sent Motown an email asking why no R.E.,and I also asked what part R.E. would play in the huge programme of releases Motown UK are undertaking during 2009 Watch this space.....but don't hold you breath lol......
