Label Guide: Rare Earth

Rare Earth Records was a subsidiary of Motown Records, established to venture into Rock and Blues Rock, made primarily by white artists. The label was set up in 1969 after the signing of the band Rare Earth, after whom the label was named. Notable acts included R. Dean Taylor, The Pretty Things, Love Sculpture, Stoney & Meatloaf and Toe Fat.

The first five Rare Earth albums were released in memorable die-cut sleeves with round tops and promoted together in a big media campaign. But in the end the label did not produce enough hits and Motown discontinued Rare Earth Records in 1976 when their best-selling act, the band Rare Earth, also broke up.