Hi,

I've posted a few comments below recently, but thought I should introduce myself. I'm Marty, I grew up in Phoenix, AZ and still live here.

My first Rare Earth album was "In Concert", which I actually bought right around the time of original release in a grocery store of all places - Smitty's Big Town! I was slightly too young to get into them before that - and it still stands as the peak of my favorites both from the band - and ranks wither several other live albums as the greatest live albums of all time. They are so tight in the ensemble work, the dynamics in the different song sections are very... uh, dynamic.. and the solos from all players are on spot and just the right length. I had the little pull-out poster on my wall for years.

I managed to get the original CD of this one for regular price - before prices shot through the roof, but missed out on the two-fers of the early albums. I also missed out on the "Feed Your Head" Box Set, which now goes for crazy prices too. I do have most of the CD compilations (Greatest and Rare Classics, Millennium Collection, Earth Tones, The Very Best) as that was all that was available for far too long.

It's great to see as I've read through some threads that several of the original members post here. Pete's singing and drumming have always been impressive and Ray's guitar playing - both rhythm and lead - from those days still sounds incredible.

Never seen the band live unfortunately. Neither Pete's band nor Gil's Rare Earth seem to make it down AZ way very often. I was at an outdoor concert in early 90's anticipating them - I think Tommy Roe was opening - but had young kids there and had to leave for some family reason that I can't recall now. Always regretted that.

Look forward to contributing - not much new knowledge I am sure, but maybe something of worth.

Thanks,
MartyB