GET READY
But not all of the bands and artists signed by Motown Records were African-American. Not long after I got to college, the cover of the Smokey Robinson song “Get Ready” by a band called Rare Earth was released. While they were not the first white band signed by Motown, they were the first to have a hit. Originally called the Sunliners, Rare Earth had previously released an album on Verve Records called Dreams/Answers in 1968. When they were signed by Motown Records, the company was starting a new label for white acts. The band jokingly suggested Rare Earth Records, and to their surprise, that is what Motown named the label.
“Get Ready” (which was evidently recorded live) was a million-selling record by Rare Earth that was certified gold; the extended version of this song was also one side of an album called Get Ready (1969). The other side features among its tracks two oft-covered songs on 1960’s albums, “Feeling Alright” and “Tobacco Road”.
(April 2015/1) |