PETER RIVERA
Rare Earth

Peter Rivera is a musician of unique achievement. Not only is he among the first drummers to sing lead vocals, he is among the first (reputed to be THE first) white artists signed to the Motown Label. And, his library has enjoyed dual success on both the Pop Charts and the R&B Charts.

Rare Earth started life as the Sunliners, a premiere bar band on the Detroit circuit. Rumored to know over 5000 songs, their penchant for jamming "psychedelic" versions of Motown tunes caught the ear of session-man Dennis Coffey, who introduced the band to Motown founder Barry Gordy. A recording contract followed and the group's named changed to Rare Earth.

"Our first release was a cover of the Temptations' song, Get Ready. It was a small regional hit for the Temps -- we didn't know what it would do for us. Gradually it got play in the South and in large metropolitan areas and before we knew it we had a Top Ten Hit," said Rivera. Four follow-ups would crack the Top Twenty including Hey Big Brother, I'm Losing You, Born to Wander, and (the rock anthem) I Just Want to Celebrate.

Eventually success and the rock & roll lifestyle would take their toll on Rare Earth, resulting in the group's breakup in 1976. For more than 12 years Peter took a respite from the world of live performing. In 1991, though, he joined Jerry Corbetta (Sugarloaf), Mike Pinera (Iron Butterfly), and Dennis Noda (Cannibal and the Headhunters) to form the Classic Rock All Stars.

Today Peter Rivera continues to tour with his Classic Rock All Stars, in addition to performing and recording with The Voices of Classic Rock.