Thanks for asking. I'm told it's getting close to releasing. The editing of the text is completed and the pictures are being placed in the appropriate places. Wish I could tell you more but that is all I know at this point. This publishing business is new to me. Putting out records was a bit easier. I can tell you the book is quite extensive. My publisher told me an average book is somewhere in the vicinity of 40,000 words. I did 125,000. the title is " The Road Through Motown". I'll keep you posted regarding the release date.
When the book comes out would it be possible for people to get their copies autographed?, as I would certainly like to get my copy signed by your good self.
That's great news Ralph. When that date is revealed you can count on me ordering one straight away! As Rich said, it would be nice to get a signed copy,
Congratulations. I'm sure it will be a popular read for all Motown, Sunliners and Rare Earth fans worldwide.
Thank you Judy. My publisher informed me that the proofs have been forwarded to him by the printer. If all looks as it should it goes to press and should be out soon.
I heard from my publisher this morning and he informed me the book has gone to press and will be available on Amazon sometime shortly after Christmas. Thanks to all of you for your recent interest. I hope you enjoy the book.
Book Description from www.amazon.com Musician, songwriter, producer, arranger, studio manager and sound man, Ralph Terrana has done it all. And here he tells it all, from the early days with the Glo-Worms and The Sunliners - red hot band that would go on to become the legendary Rare Earth - creating, owning and running the fabled Tera Shirma studios in Detroit, playing with Johnny and The Hurricanes, taking charge of Hitsville USA, home of the world-famous Motown Sound, and working with artists such as Meatloaf and Jeff Beck, producers like Andrew Loog Oldham, and music luminaries including Norman Whitfield, Harry Balk, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Frank Wilson and the Funk Brothers, to a quieter post-Motown life on the West Coast, with his new wife, Jesse. This book is enriched with the flavour of the times, the music and the personalities that provided - and continue to provide - the soundtrack to billions of lives. http://www.amazon.com/Road-Through-Motown-Ralph-Terrana/dp/1904408230/sr=8-1/qid=1166896034/ref=sr_1_1/104-0446303-7955937?ie=UTF8&s=books
I ORDERED YOUR BOOK ON THE 26TH AND GOT IT ON THE 29TH!!!......AND I HAD A HARD TIME PUTTING THE BOOK DOWN!!!! I FINALLY FINISHED IT IN THREE DAYS......THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING THE EXPERIENCES YOU HAD......I REALLY ENJOYED THE BOOK......IF YOU'RE NEAR THE CHICAGO OR DETROIT AREA I WOULD LOVE TO GET THE BOOK SIGNED........
Ralph. I wonder if you could keep us all posted on any promotional work you do on the book?, things like magazine interviews etc, and if you are going to do any radio interviews let us know. Most radio stations these days are availabe on line which is great as we can all listen. Thanks.
Will do Richard Things are just starting regarding promotion. I do have a radio interview on the 16th I beleive out of Nantucket. I'll keep you posted on that. Rolling Stone magazine is getting a copy as are a few radio stations in my immediate area. I heard from my publisher yesterday morning and he said sales were good. Had dinner with my manager last night and he told me some Hollywood screenwriter is going to read the book. Who knows? I'm just an Italian out of Detroit trying to make a living. More to come...
Ralph. Your publisher might like to contact "Soulstar/Chatbusters" ( a bi-monthly Motown/Soul magazine)www.soulstarmagazine.co.uk when Pete's book came out they ran a six page interview with him plus a Rare Earth profile and discography.
Richard, Thanks for the tip. My publisher did tell me that one of the Soul magazines will be doing a piece. I'm not sure if that is the one but I will forward your information to him. Many thanks.
That's a useful link Richard. I just wish I'd seen the six page interview.
Did you ever see any of the Motown Ad Astra newsletters that were circulated in the early 70s? A guy at school was a member and he used to receive then through the post. They were written or edited by Sharon Davis (not the swimmer...well, as far as I know). They used to contain all the latest details regarding Motown and I used to pester the life out of the guy to see if Rare Earth ever got a mention.
Dave, I think you can still obtain this edition of Chatbusters(as it was called then) from Soulstar. The issue is No.10 October 2001, it is a great interview and well worth reading, Pete even gets the front cover treatment.
HAAAAAAAAAAAA! That is the $64,000.00 dollar question. Each of them claimed they could kick the other's ass in a real fight. From a personall perspective it would be a tough call. They both were bad dudes. Hope you enjoyed the book.
Peraino and I stay in touch. He's still living in the Detroit area. Roger and I always stayed in touch after I moved to California but neither Joe or I have heard anything from him in a couple of years. Hope he is okay.
I SAW THAT E-BAY HAD THE ORIGINAL COPY OF STONEY AND MEAT LOAF ALBUM THAT YOU HAD WORKED ON AND IT IS MINT CONDITION.....FOR A STARTING BID OF 24.99.....THIS HAS TO BE THE REAL DEAL....THAE ONLY COPY THAT I REMEMBER SEEING WAS A PLATE MEAT LOAF.........BUT THIS COPY HAS STONEY AND MEAT ON THE COVER AND THEY SHOW IT ON THE RARE EARTH LABEL........FYI..........
MDF, The plate of meatloaf cover was the reissue that Motown did after Meat had success with the " Bat Out Of Hell " album. It was terrible. Included some incompleted tracks and some that had been completed but Stony's voice was edited out on certain cuts. Bad mixes also. Why Motown just didn't re-release the opriginal is beyond me. I was ashamed to have my name on the thing.
Dave, Mike was an old pro that actually holds the distinction of being in the first White band that Motown signed. Mike and the Modifiers. He was a prolific writer and talented producer. I mention in my book that he was able to take House Of The Rising Sun and make it a hit record for the second time with the band Frigid Pink, which he produced at Tera Shirma. At the time I told him he was crazy to try this but he proved me wrong..
Mike and I stayed in touch over the years after he settled in Oregon years ago. A week after I had a phone conversation with him I received a call from Harry balk who informed me that Mike passed after suffering a stroke.
Thoroughly enjoying your book Ralph. I cringed when I read about the diving incident. I guess we're lucky to still have you here.
The book offers a really good insight into the formative years of Rare Earth and its been interesting to read about the young Peter Hoorelbeke, Gil Bridges and John Persh. You take the reader on quite a journey from that moment that you first picked up an instrument. I'm only part way through, but the Sunliners keep going from strength to strength, making their mark in New York and I'm really enjoying the ride!!
To all Rare Earth fans, you MUST get a copy of Ralph's book "The Road Through Motown"!!! I can thoroughly recommend it.
What very kind words. Many thanks. You have made the project worthwhile.
HELLO AGAIN RALPH....
DOES ANY OF THE OLD SUNLINER TAPES EXIST?? SUCH AS HEART OF THE CITY?? I KNOW I JUST CRIED APPEARS ON THE ANTHOLGY CD....IT WOULD BE NICE TO HEAR SOME MORE OF THE SUNLINER STUFF....IF OLD TAPES EXIST COULD THEY BE PUT ON MP3???
JUST ASKING...........THANKS FOR YOUR COMMENTS....
Hi Mark, I doubt if any of the earlier recorded tapes exist. at least by the band members. Regarding " Heart Of the City " which I feel is the best song ever recorded by The Sunliners, Producer John Rhys did a search to see if he could find it and came up empty. This is a song I would love to listen to today just to see if my memory serves me correctly.
Just ordered my copy of Ralph's book through amazon.com and I'm looking forward to reading it. From what I've read here it sounds like an excellent book and a definite must have for all Sunliners/Rare Earth fans. Jocko D
I received my copy of Ralph's book from Amazon.com yesterday. So far I've read up to the end of the Sunliner's era in the book and it's definitely been an excellent read so far. I've read Peter's book which is also an excellent read and I can definitely recommend both books to all die hard Rare Earth fans.
Ralph has a lot to tell about the Sunliner's and I found it quite fasinating to read how great this band really was. After reading about the Sunliner's it makes the reader wish he or she could go back in time and catch a Sunliner's show. Jocko D
I totally agree Jocko. We are both at the same point in the book by the sound of it. I'm not rushing it because I did that with Peter's book and I ended up wishing I'd taken my time.
I know so much more about the foundations of the band through Ralph's book. I bet it would have been very special to have seen the band blossoning as they started to get big in Detroit, left to play seasons away in New York etc, then returned to Detroit to a raptuos welcome. As for Pete, All I'm getting so far is his fantastic appetite for food. How many steaks could he eat? Good on you Peter! As for Gil, I wonder if he still has his passion for cars?
Dave and Jocko, Pleased to know you guys are enjoying the book.
Jocko: Yes, The Sunliners was a great band. That is not to take anything away from Rare Earth. We all know how well that went. The Sunliners was just somewhat different, more than likely by the presence of the two saxes. There were times when other sax players would drop in and sit in with the band. I seem to remember one time having five saxes in the band. It was awesome.
Yeah Dave, Pete liked to eat. when we were playing the Metopole, they had a nightly buffet which we were invited to help ourselves to. Naturally, Pete took full advantage and the owner of the club, Nick Drakich, would say in his heavy Serbian accent that Pete ate like a man.
Dave and Jocko, Pleased to know you guys are enjoying the book.
Jocko: Yes, The Sunliners was a great band. That is not to take anything away from Rare Earth. We all know how well that went. The Sunliners was just somewhat different, more than likely by the presence of the two saxes. There were times when other sax players would drop in and sit in with the band. I seem to remember one time having five saxes in the band. It was awesome.
Yeah Dave, Pete liked to eat. when we were playing the Metopole, they had a nightly buffet which we were invited to help ourselves to. Naturally, Pete took full advantage and the owner of the club, Nick Drakich, would say in his heavy Serbian accent that Pete ate like a man.
HELLO AGAIN RALPH.....
PETE'S BOOK MENTIONS A GAL NAMED ROSIE DURING YOUR SUNLINER DAYS........SO RALPH......WHAT IS YOUR STORY??LOL!!
IN YOUR BOOK YOU TALKED ABOUT A BAND CALLED MY FRIENDS THAT YOU WORKED WITH....YOU EXPLAINED THAT THE PROJECT DID NOT GET FINISHED.....I FOUND A 45 ON E-BAY FROM MY FRIENDS ON RARE EARTH RECORDS(R5036) CALLED I'M AN EASY RIDER/CONCRETE AND CLAY....WERE YOU PART OF THIS PROJECT?.....
Mark, That is very interesting. Does the record show any information? I'll have to check it out. I'm not sure if the titles are ringing any bells with me and I really don't remember anything being released on the group.
Now that I'm thinking about it Mark, " I'm An Easy Rider " seems to be rather familiar to me.. If this is indeed the same group I'm wondering if it was released through the L.A. regime after the Big Move from Detroit. It still seems odd to me though.
Mark, I found a listing of all Rare Earth label issues and yes it appears that this was the group. It's a mystery to me though because I have no recollection of anything being released on My Friends. I learn something new everyday...
I have a copy of the single R5036F. A side "I'm An Easy Rider. Time 2.25 B side "Concrete and Clay. Time 4.40 Both songs written by K Rich and production credits Terrana, Baird and Terrana". The single was also issued in blue vinyl.
I also have "I'm An Easy Rider" on an interesting German album on the Rare Earth label called "The Rarest on Earth. A specially priced super collection featuring the foremost rock groups on the Rare Earth label". Cat. No.1C048-93-653L and it was issued in 1972.
Other acts on the record are: Rustix, Dennis Stoner, Sunday Funnies, Stoney and Meatloaf, Corlis Nelson, R Dean Taylor, Poor Boys Ken Christie & The Sunday People, Messengers. There are 2 Rare Earth tracks "Get Ready & Celebrate".
Oh and the cover is the Roger Dean print from One World
I've enjoyed reading how Studio B came together. You were blessed with the services of some great people. The fact that you hit it off with just about everyone you've met in the course of your career speaks volumes about your character. Judging by the way you talk about your brother Russ, it soounds like the two of you have never been short of friends!
I have visions of that Air con unit running away with itself down the stairs and into the street. It sounds like it came straight out of a Laurel and Hardy film Not so funny first time around though when Wild Man nearly got crushed!
As for the incident which led to the leg injury just before you were due to play the final dates with The Sunliners, I did exactly the same thing myself about 3 years ago. I was climbing onto the stage when we were loading our gear into the venue. I lost my footing and scraped my shin from ankle to knee along the ridge of the stage. It had a metal strip attached along the edge to protect it. I got cuts but the worst bit was the pain from the bruising. After 3 days I couldn't put much weight on my leg so I ended up going to hospital for X rays. Thankfully no bones were broken but it took weeks for the scars and swelling to heal. I don't know about you Ralph, but I reckon its not an incident you let happen to yourself twice! Also, its amazing how fellow band members think you're putting it on. "It's only a scratch" indeed.
Hi Dave, My brother is about the coolest guy one would ever like to meet. Very unassuming and down to Earth. And, extremely funny. Yes, I was extremely fortunate to have the people I had when we built Studio B. You are so right. The A.C. episode would have played well as a Laurel and Hardy riff. Sorry to hear you share the same war wound as I do. A funny thing happened last week. I got some sort of strange bug bite right at the site of the wound and for a few days would experience some pain when I put my weight on that leg. A grim reminder I suppose.
Sadly I'm approaching the final chapters of your book. I say sadly because I just wish it contained twice as many pages. Last time I commented, I hadn't got to the Motown / Mowest part, you were still chasing a piano through the streets of Detroit
Your account of 1970-73 is a real eye opener. As a UK Motown record buyer, I bought the majority of singles released over those three years, approximately from the arrival of the Jackson 5 with I Want You Back through to (I guess) Nathan Jones by The Supremes. In between this, Stevie's Talking Book LP blew me away completely and Marvin's What's Going On was released with buckets of publicity and a fabulous sleeve. I bought the single but couldn't make up my mind whether I liked it or not. This parallels what was happening in the Detroit offices by the sound of it. Years later I now have the album on CD and I love it, especially Inner City Blues. Did you hear the tribute album where his daughter Nona sang that song? Awesome! What's Going On was ahead of its time. But as far as the label was going, I sensed a change as acts like the Commodores, Rockwell (Berry's son?) etc came in. Things definitely changed as the whole thing moved to LA.
Coming right back to Rare Earth the band, I know they moved to LA because I think I'm right in saying that's when JP chose to leave. Presumably Willie Rmembers was recorded in LA rather thsn Detroit. I wonde whether Ray, Pete or Gil have any opinions on the move from a recording / studio perspective?
As this site covers the Rare Earth label as well as the band, I have to say I found the parts in the book covering R Dean Taylor and XIT etc of great interest. I reckon I'll be looking on eBay for anything by Sunday Funnies, My Friends, Matrix, Power of Zeus etc.
I've no idea what twists and turns I'll find in the last couple of chapters, but Ralph, I've enjoyed this book more than any of the other Motown related books I've read so far and that's quite a few!
Dave, I am so pleased you are enjoying the book. Wish I would have made it a little longer for you. As far as the band relocating to L.A., I can't say for sure. Yes, John had left the band and maybe they just wanted a change of scenery, I don't remember. Maybe Gil will chime in here and give you the reasons.
From what I recall in Pete's book, he said the band moved to L.A. to be close to the record company as Motown shifted it's base operations to L.A. too. In retrospect it seems that might have been the biggest factor to the downfall and breakup in 1974. But hey, Gil would know better. I wasn't there.
Mike wrote:That seems the most logical Mike. I'm sure gil will clear it up.
From what I recall in Pete's book, he said the band moved to L.A. to be close to the record company as Motown shifted it's base operations to L.A. too. In retrospect it seems that might have been the biggest factor to the downfall and breakup in 1974. But hey, Gil would know better. I wasn't there.
At last, I finished the book this lunchtime. I thought I might lose interest once I reached your exit from Motown. Not a chance. It kept my attention right to the very last sentence. The micrometer incidents were really freaky but I believe every word.
Its been a real pleasure reading your book Ralph. As your daughter said, you really have a story to tell.
How is the book on your brother Russ progressing? I'm sure that will be equally as entertaining.
You clearly have a great memory to recount all those details in the book. I have to correct you on one hiccup though. You credited Grand Funk as the band that came up with "My Woman From Tokyo". It was of course Deep Purple, but what the heck
Dave, Good to know the book held your attention after the Motown era. Yeah, the three micometer incidents were for real. I check my tool case from time to time but, as of yet, no repeats. Of course you are correct regarding Deep Purple. Definitely my bad. I strated Russ' book quite a while ago. Got a ways into it and didn't like the format and decided to go back to squre one. Still at that square. Too many things going on at present but I do plan on getting back to writing.
I'm about due to give Ralph's book a second read. I enjoyed it that much.
Its like watching a film for the second time...you pick up on bits you missed the first time around!!
I'm also looking forward to reading about Russ' life and career. I've read so many positive comments about his mixing talents over the years and I'm sure his story will be equally as good as that of his brother.