Loved the bit in Peter's book where he and Ray were chilling out in a darkened room looking for inspiration for new songs. Then suddenly the police burst in with guns. Scary stuff!
I hope Ray and Peter are still able to communicate. I know Peter has moved on but it would be nice to think that him and Gil might one day patch up any damage in their relationship. I know that's easy to say without knowing anything about the situation. Pete expressed some personal opinions in his book, but I was left with the impression that it was management that drove a wedge between Pete and Gil, trying to unsettle the ship for their own ends.
After what the band went through it amazes me they got back together for the two John Ryan productions. That line-up made some terrific music. You only have to read the guestbook to see that people from right across the globe loved Rare Earth. And you know what? I still don't think Motown realise that. Oh well, you never know, dare I suggest that one day these three great musicians might be able to raise a glass together and reflect on the happier times?
AS THEY SAY....THERE'S ALWAYS TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY.TO ME,IT'S ALL A LONG TIME AGO,AND I'VE MOVED ON.ACTUALLY,PETER AND I DIDN'T COMMUNICATE UNTIL FAIRLY RECENTLY.HE WAS DOING HIS THING,AND I WAS DOING MINE.ME IN DETROIT,AND HIM IN L.A.
AFTER I LEFT R.E. RALPH TERRANA AND PETER WERE TRYING TO HOOK UP A PROJECT THAT WOULD INCLUDE BOB BABBITT TOO.I WAS CONTACTED,AND SAID I COULD ALSO BE INVOLVED.
NOTHING HAS COME OF IT YET.DURING THAT TIME I DID TALK TO PETE.
AS FAR AS GIL GOES......IT'S ANYBODY'S GUESS.THOSE TWO GO BACK TO CHILDHOOD.YOU TALKED ABOUT GETTING BACK TOGETHER AFTER THE BIG BREAK-UP.WE ALL LET BYGONES BE BYGONES AT THAT TIME.AFTER THE TWO ALBUMS AND SOME TOURING,PRACTICALLY THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN.THAT WAS THE LAST STRAW.
BOTTOM LINE IS THAT WE DID HAVE A LOT OF GREAT TIMES AND MEMORIES TOGETHER.I KNOW I'LL ALWAYS THINK OF THEM FONDLY.
OH.....AT THE REHEARSAL STUDIO....I WAS PLAYING AN ACOUSTIC,AND WE WERE KICKING AROUND SOME IDEAS.WE HAD STOPPED FOR A MOMENT,AND THAT'S WHEN THE POLICE SAID THAT FAMOUS LINE..."I HOPE YOU OWN THIS PLACE". AND CAME IN WITH SHOTGUNS POINTED.
I'M SURE THAT TOOK A COUPLE OF YEARS OFF OUR LIVES,AND GRAYED SOME HAIR.LOL
I hope the project with Ralph, Peter and Bob happens at some stage in the future. That would surely be good.
Which of Peter's hairs do you think went gray after the police incident? The one on the right or the one on the left?
If you're reading this Peter, don't be offended. I'm the last person to talk. We could almost pass for twin brothers as far as the hairstyle department goes. Funnily enough my hair started falling out around the same time that the Willie Remembers line-up re-united. It must have been the shock!
I visited my Doc to see if he could give me something to keep my hair in. He gave me with an old matchbox! (The old jokes are the best)
Dave
PS The Motown / Philly release is due anytime now isn't it? I'm looking forward to buying that.
Ironically, just yesterday, Pete and I finally came to an agreement to " test the waters " so to speak and see what goes. I have begun work on a song that Babbitt turned me on to. A trio of Nashville writers had played this song for him and Babbitt was convinced it was a great song for Pete. He called me to tell me about it and I had the writers send me the demo. Babbitt was right. The guitar player I worked with for years is not going to be available. He lucked up into a Colubmia deal and is on the road promotoing a recently released CD, so I don't think I can depend on him anymore. Gee Ray, maybe this is fate? Maybe if the Funks are going to be in my vicinity we can arrange something. I realize you guys are busy but it would be cool to do that like we originaly planned.
I think I speak on behalf of 99.9% of Rare Earth fans when I say we wish every member past and present the respect they deserve. Not everything in this world goes the way we want it to!
Life is too short to hold grudges but it is important to have opinions and im sure the band respect us for that. Past and present thats what makes this band special, cheers!
As a Rare Earth fan it was all "good times". It still is. I'm pleased that Gil continues to sail the ship and I'm looking forward to the new CD.
This is a forum for Rare Earth fans to express opinions, ask questions and share thoughts on the band. Its great that past and present members of the band, plus associates, read and contribute towards it.
When Rich started this thread he was responding to an earlier comment where Ray was complimentary towards Peter as a lead vocalist. He simply wanted to know if they still talk to each other. It wasn't intended to rake up anything negative about the band, despite the title. None of us are here to do that.
And well done Rich, because in a small way you've probably helped to kick start a new project between the two of them.
Its well documented that there have been differences of opinion within the band. Nothing unique there. It happens to groups all the time. But I for one have noted that Peter and Ray have since referred to their fellow members as "my brothers". In the light of what's happened, I take comfort from that because thats how I like to remember them. Band Together!
Ray, That could work if you have a day or so free to come up to Monterey. Pete is scheduled to do the vocals the end of October. Stay in touch and I will also keep you posted as things come together.
What did I start?Guess Im not a total loser.Bet they would talk if the money was right;I broke up with a biz partner.We just stopped talkin,then I heard he might be homeless,i tried findin him;
Just wondering if Ralph or Ray have any news on the recording sessions that were proposed for last month. Did they go ahead? If so, how did it go and are we likely to see the songs released on CD at some stage? Presumably Ray wouldn't be around to hear the final result as Peter wasn't due to put the vocals down until a later date?
Dave, Things have been put on hold for the time being. By chance, Pete got involved with a fifteen piece band out of Oregon that is to become Pete Rivera and Celebrate. He's been pretty busy putting this together.
Yeah Dave, I don't know where it will go next. I had much of the track completed before this came up. We'll see what happens down the line. I'm happy for Pete though. This sounds like a trmendous opportunity.
Actually, Pete is of Belgian descent. The Name Rivera was taken from a cousin's husband. Pete is about 60. I agree, he seems to be getting younger and playing and singing better than ever.
EDDIE WAS A NATURAL PERCUSSIONIST.ONE OF THE BEST I'VE EVER KNOWN.HE COULD PLAY ALL THE PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS.IF HE FOUND SOMETHING NEW,HE COULD PICK IT UP AND PLAY IT ON THE SPOT. HIS IDOL WAS TITO PUENTE.
From a fan's perspective Ray, I think Eddie was a major force in making Rare Earth sound unique. I used to search for similar music to RE back in the 70s but I couldn't find anything. What was I looking for? A member of the band that played congas, timbales and percussion. I remember seeing one of Mandrill's record sleeves suggesting they had congas and percussion, and I know they were quite highly rated, but I didn't buy the album because in my heart I felt I'd be disappointed. Funnily enough earlier this year I finally heard some Mandrill in a Birmingham (UK) record store. They were so so, but not Rare Earth. The Rare Earth In Concert album is a lasting legacy to Eddie's contribution to the success of the band!
R u serious?TITO was as puertorican as rice & beans.Actually he was a newyorican from my old hood Spanish Harlem...a stones throw from 1 of your favorite shows Randalls Island.Now thats another story,I was there.B in PR next week;Rice & beans baby...didnt GUZ live in NY?Where?
ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE RANDALLS ISLAND SHOW WITH US AND FUNKADELIC?? SLOWLY I TURNED....STEP BY STEP......AND RAN!! A ONE FOOT HIGH STAGE WITH TWO WOMEN SECURITY GUARDS. HALF THE AUDIENCE WAS ON STAGE WITH US,PLAYING THE DRUMS AND TWEAKING THE AMPS. I WAS SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE AND DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT THE REST OF THE BAND HAD LEFT THE STAGE.
AS THE STORY GOES: BEFORE EDDIE JOINED UP HE MOVED TO NEW YORK CITY.HE STAYED AT THE CHELSEA HOTEL. A COUPLE OF THE GUYS WENT TO N.Y. AND "RESCUED" HIM. THEY BROUGHT HIM BACK TO DETROIT AND HE JOINED R.E.
WE DID SEVERAL SHOWS WITH MANDRILL OVER THE YEARS.A GOOD PACKAGE WAS R.E.,FUNKADELIC,AND MANDRILL. THOSE SHOWS REALLY SMOKED! ACTUALLY.....MY LAST SHOW WITH THE BAND WAS IN D.C. WITH P-FUNK,AND MANDRILL.04.
More whites on stage than in the stands,I remember some young brother was helpin u......to play the guitar........just helpin on the chords;great night in NYC.
(The old jokes are the best)
