Peter Rivera is a musician of unique achievement -- among the first drummers to sing lead vocal; among the first (reputed to be THE first) white artists signed to the Motown Label; the owner of four Top Ten singles. Peter Rivera was the original lead singer/drummer of Rare Earth from 1969-1975.

     Rare Earth started life as the Sunliners, a premiere bar band of 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. 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. Three follow-ups would crack the Top Ten including "Hey Big Brother", "I'm Losing You", and (the rock anthem) "I Just Want to Celebrate".

     Their formula worked like a charm throughout the seventies, with their best sides produced by Motown staffer Norman Whitfield. Beginning in 1975, Peter took a respite from the world of live performing for more than 12 years. In 1991, though, he joined Sugarloaf's Jerry Corbetta (keyboards), Iron Butterfly's, Mike Pinera (guitars), and Cannibal and the Headhunters' Dennis Noda (bass guitar) 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  r o c k f o r e v e r . c o m .

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