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Topic: Venezuela

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JP2
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Venezuela
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Happy Holidays All...


Hey Ray,


I was recently watching some home video footage 8mm of the trip to Venezuela.  In a nutshell, it shows RE in the plane flying over and then on the bus.  As you guys are arriving at the hotel?, there are literally thousands of fans lining the streets, waiting to catch a glimpse of the band, etc...It looks pretty wild.  Then you guys drive to the studio for a tv taping of some sort.  I can tell its "Celebrate" that's being "played".  No actual footage of the gig though...


I was wondering if you could share your memories of the trip and the gig as well.  What was the venue like?  How many people did you play for?  What were the fans like, etc...and anything else that you can recall...Also was that late 71 or early 72?


There was also some L.A footage showing a very cool billboard of the band on Sunset strip for a gig at the Anaheim Convention Center...


-JP2



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RAY MONETTE
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1972,R.E.'S SCHEDULED TO PERFORM IN CARACAS,VENEZUELA(FIRST AMERICAN BAND TO GO THERE).SOUND'S LIKE A GOOD IDEA.SO OFF WE GO TO S.A.THE FIRST THING WE SEE,WHEN WE LAND,IS MILITARY WITH MACHINE-GUNS,EVERYWHERE!!WE ARE KNOWN AS "TIERRA RARA",AND WE'RE ESCORTED TO OUR HOTEL,BY ARMED GUARDS.THEY STATION THE GUARDS OUTSIDE OUR ROOMS,AND THEY ARE WITH US WHEREVER WE GO.
AS WE MOVED AROUND THE CITY,IN OUR BUS,PEOPLE SURROUNDED IT,TRYING TO GET TO US AT EVERY TURN.YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT WE WERE THE "BEATLES".THE COMMUNIST ELEMENT PUT OUT PUBLICATIONS,SAYING WE WERE IMPOSTERS(POSSIBLY BECAUSE WE HAD GROWN BEARDS,AND DIDN'T LOOK LIKE OUR PICTURES),BUT ALL MOVED ALONG AS PLANNED.
WE PLAYED TWO SHOWS.ONE OF WHICH WAS IN A BULL-FIGHTING RING,AND BROADCAST ON NATIONAL TV.THE PEOPLE WERE INCREDIBLE(FANTISTIC RESPONSE).AND ALL WAS GOING WELL,UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
AT ONE POINT,WE HAD A GENTLEMAN COME TO OUR HOTEL,AND TRY TO SELL US SHOES WITH FALSE HEELS(FOR STORING GOODIES TO TAKE HOME)I DON'T THINK SO! ANYWAY,ALL WENT WELL UNTIL IT WAS TIME TO LEAVE,AND WE FOUND OUT THAT THE PROMOTER HAD BURNED ALL THE RECEIPTS,HADN'T PAYED THE TAXES,AND VANISHED.
THE GOVERNMENT CONFISCATED OUR PASSPORTS,AND I REMEMBER THINKING,WE WERE ALL DOOMED.
WE ENDED UP GOING TO THE AMERICAN EMBASSY TO TRY TO GET HELP.THEY WANTED TO FILM US(FOR WHATEVER REASON),AND THEY GOT OUR PASSPORTS BACK,SO WE COULD LEAVE THE COUNTRY. FREE AT LAST!!
WHEN WE GOT TO THE AIRPORT,THEY BOARDED EVERYONE BUT US FIRST.WHEN WE FINALLY STARTED WALKING TOWARD THE PLANE,OUT OF NOWHERE CAME A DOZEN INTERPOL AGENTS.THEY STOPPED US,AND SEARCHED EVERYBODY RIGHT IN FRONT OF EVERYONE ON THE PLANE(CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT THEY WERE THINKING).I GUESS THEY WERE LOOKING FOR SOME OF THOSE "SHOES",OR WHATEVER.THEY WERE DISAPPOINTED THAT THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING,AND RELUCTENTLY,LET US GO.
WE ALL BREATHED ONE OF THE BIGGEST SIGHS OF RELIEF,OF OUR LIVES,WHEN THAT PLANE TOOK OFF FOR HOME!!
RAY


JP2,


I'M SURE IT WAS 1972 BECAUSE WE WERE IN L.A. 



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UK Dave
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What an interesting story. Its first hand information like this that keeps bringing me back to this website. Its a bit like having Born to Wander Part 2.


Would this be when John Persh was playing bass? That's what I was presuming when JP2 suggested he'd been viewing some home viewing footage. Ray suggests it was after the band went to LA. I understood the move from Detroit to LA prompted John's departure. Did he move to LA for a while, or did he leave before that? Not a big deal, just curious.


I know there is a separate thread, but I'd just like to wish Ray and JP2 best wishes for 2007 and hopefully many more posts on the forum. This extends to Ralph, Richard, MDF, Rich, John and all friends of Rare Earth.


 



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RAY MONETTE
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DAVE,


AFTER DOING A LITTLE STUDY,IT WAS EARLY 1972 WHEN WE WENT TO CARACAS.THIS WOULD BE BEFORE THE MOVE TO L.A.


ALSO,ON AN AFTERTHOUGHT.WE WENT BACK TO CARACAS 10 YEARS LATER IN 1982.WHAT A DIFFERENCE 10 YEARS MAKES.IT WAS A QUIET MELLOW METROPOLITAN CITY. NO AUTOMATIC WEAPONS OR ANY OF THE CRAZINESS FROM THE FIRST TRIP.


AND......DON'T GET ME WRONG.THE TWO SHOWS,AND TV WE DID THERE WERE FANTASTIC!! IT WAS THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME.THE FANS ABSOLUTELY LOVED RARE EARTH.


RAY


 



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JP2
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Ray - absolutely priceless.  Thanks for sharing.


"THE COMMUNIST ELEMENT PUT OUT PUBLICATIONS,SAYING WE WERE IMPOSTERS(POSSIBLY BECAUSE WE HAD GROWN BEARDS,AND DIDN'T LOOK LIKE OUR PICTURES),BUT ALL MOVED ALONG AS PLANNED"


That is hysterical.  The "fake" Rare Earth was sent to Venezuela...LOL



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Marco Ciargo
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RAY MONETTE wrote:

DAVE,

AFTER DOING A LITTLE STUDY,IT WAS EARLY 1972 WHEN WE WENT TO CARACAS.THIS WOULD BE BEFORE THE MOVE TO L.A.

ALSO,ON AN AFTERTHOUGHT.WE WENT BACK TO CARACAS 10 YEARS LATER IN 1982.WHAT A DIFFERENCE 10 YEARS MAKES.IT WAS A QUIET MELLOW METROPOLITAN CITY. NO AUTOMATIC WEAPONS OR ANY OF THE CRAZINESS FROM THE FIRST TRIP.

AND......DON'T GET ME WRONG.THE TWO SHOWS,AND TV WE DID THERE WERE FANTASTIC!! IT WAS THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME.THE FANS ABSOLUTELY LOVED RARE EARTH.

RAY

Hi, I don't speak Inglish well, I will write in spanish and I hope you can traslate to understand...sorry.

Soy el guitarrista de Resistencia el grupo que abrió los dos conciertos a Rare Earth en el Poliedro de Caracas en el 1982.
Tenía 11 años la primera vez que vinieron a Caracas, el LP live y Willy remember fueron unos de mis discos favoritos, haber tenído la posibilidad con los años de compartir un escenario con ellos fué maravilloso, aparte el haber compartido personalmente momentos muy gratos en el hotel.
Afirmo lo que Ray comenta sobre el buen feeling del público que hubo en los conciertos, and yes it was an experience of lifetime for we too.
It was a pleasure, be good Ray

Marco

In the official Resistencia web page www.debesresistir.com you will find in the link "prensa" and after "notas de prensa 1980-1989" the poster of the concert.



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Geoff
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Here is a translation, \\s agood as I know Spanish 

I am the guitarist of Resistance the group that opened concerts to Rare Earth in the Polyhedron of Caracas in the 1982 both.
It had 11 years the first time that came to Caracas, the LP live and Willy to remember was of my favorite discs, to have dyed the possibility with the years of sharing a scene with them was wonderful, separate the shared salary personally very pleasing moments in the hotel.
I affirm what Ray comments on good feeling of the public whom was in the concerts, and yes it was an experience of lifetime for we too.



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Ralph Terrana
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I remember Gil telling me of the incident. He did have a little weed stashed inside a bottle of nasel spray. When he was searched the soldier took it out of his front pocket and shook it. Gil pointed to his nose. The soldier nodded and gave it back to him. How do you say WHEW???

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Jose Fernandez
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Hi, very happy to read this forum, jp2, I´m very interested to obtain more information about rare earth in venezuela  1972, I was 16 years, and I couldn´t go but I follow the event on the radio. Where you find the 8 mm film about rare eart. do you know where I can find more information. Thanks. if you speak spanish, please. undefined

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Mike
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Ralph Terrana wrote:

I remember Gil telling me of the incident. He did have a little weed stashed inside a bottle of nasel spray. When he was searched the soldier took it out of his front pocket and shook it. Gil pointed to his nose. The soldier nodded and gave it back to him. How do you say WHEW???



I missed so many posts before I came here 2 years ago. Catching up I suppose. 

I'll bet Gil's heart was really beating over that one. Talk about a close call!



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Anonymous
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I saw the concert in the Bull Fighting Ring  in Valencia. I was one of many Americans who lived there that saw the concert. We actually met some of band members at the hotel. Mark & Pete were the ones we knew best. I understand he has passed. Groupo Syma opened for RE. a combination of American and Venezuelan acoustic guitar and vocal stile with a CSN&Y. Rare Earth blew Valencia away. The music was great. It was a crazy time, no one had ever seen a big american rock band...you would have thought it was the Beatles....I had meet Pete, at the hotel and told him how I would listen to "Get Ready" and cruise at 100mph...when the band played the song Pete, dedicated it to Chuck (me) doing 100mph......Venezuela hasnt changed much, a back-assward as ever
Also met Mark years later in Wichita and went to performance with the band. I was on back stage for the concert..........Steelly Dan opened for RE....nice

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Anonymous
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You would think this concert would have been filmed, if by the Venezuela government at least.

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Eddio Pina
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Rare Earth in Venezuela, January 1972
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Hi, Ray and everyone else...

The firts thing I want to say is "Hello" and thank you guys to come to Vzla. 

Now I want to show you something it appears in Youtube from that Era.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDTW8deEvSQ

I´m sure you will enjoy it.

This was in the Studio of "RADIO CARACAS TELEVISION" January 1972. As you can see in the 1:06  to 1:15, there´s a police in the studio behind Mark Olson. I´m very sorry to know you were treated the way as you described but. what can I do?  that´s were the times in Venezuela.

To  finish my mesage I also wish you to know Rare Earth was one of the favorites in Vzla. Your records were played in the best radios stations all over the country. There was not a party where your record weren´t  played and your music was considered one of  "the top" even today many of us wonder about the amazing feeling, big beat and appeal of the band. So is not unacuratte when you say "YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT WE WERE THE "BEATLES" I can testify you were "Idols" as you surely know.

Best reggards my Friend

Eddio Pina



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Anonymous
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RE: Venezuela
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Marco Ciargo is a respectable Musician from one of the most memorables rock band of Venezuela. Nominated as a "Guitar Hero" by the grupo of "The History of Rock in Venezuela"  he is the number 32 in the list

http://historiadelrockenvenezuela.jimdo.com/guitar-heroes/

 

His message (well traslated) is as follows

I´m the guitar player of "Resistencia" the band that opened the two concerts Rare Earth did in "El Poliedro" of  Caracas in 1982.

I was 11 years old the firts time you were in caracas, The "Live" LP and "Willy remember" were ones of my favorites, To have had the opportunity to share the stage with then (Rare Earth) was wonderful, besides to share very nice moments at the hotel.

I affirm what Ray says about the good feeling of the people who attended to the concerts and yes it was an experience of lifetime for us too.


It was a pleasure, be good Ray

Marco

In the official Resistencia web page www.debesresistir.com you will find in the link "prensa" and after "notas de prensa 1980-1989" the poster of the concert.

-----------

Unfortunately the website is not active at this time. I´l try to contact Marco Ciargo to make avalaible the information he talk

Best Reggards

Eddio Pina



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Mike
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I know this has been posted before but it is worth mentioning again.

A TV clip from Venezuela in 1972. I sure do wish it was longer.

 

It's cool to see footage of the One World lineup, especially JP. I've never seen a photo of Gil with a beard before. 



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Chicago Tommy
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Hey Mike,

I'm glad to see you posted this, especially since I had never seen it before. I've also never seen Gil sporting a beard. Classic footage indeed.

-Chicago Tommy



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Sharon
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Yes it was in 1972. 

I worked with the group that brougth them to Valencia.Vzla

It was a wonderful time.

Knowing Mark Olson, Pete Riviera, Edy Guzman and others.

The Best of the best.

Sharon

Austin, Texassmile 



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Sharon
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I was also there at that concert.

I lived in valencia until 1974 and moved to Hillsdale,Michigan.

I worked with Placido Garrido.

We also went to the Hotel in Valencia and met Mark Olson and Pete Riviera.

Do I know you?

Sharon

Austin, Texas



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barry gurwitz
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I was the promoter for that 1st. concert  I have the newspaper articles and plenty of inside info



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Anonymous
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The person that helped me was Gregorio Machado  I do not know person you are talking about Also the automobile club of Caribobo



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Anonymous
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Wow! My uncle was a music promoter in Caracas (Luis Rivero, known also as Tucuso) and he took me to the party at the Intercontinental in Valencia and the concert at the bull ring (Plaza Monumental) I was 18 at the time and it was the most exiting thing that had happened to me. It was an awesome concert.



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Chuck
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Barry!  I was one of the two sound people from Showco.  I'd love to see some pictures.



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Chuck
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Barry!  I was one of the two sound people from Showco.  I'd love to see some pictures.



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