Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day from your planet-loving friends at the Dog Denizens of Genesee Park (DDGP!)

Americans first celebrated Earth Day on April 22, 1970. Forty years ago, the inaugural Earth Day highlighted a grassroots movement to spotlight environmental issues involving land, air and water pollution. ("Pollution"... there's a term you probably haven't heard since the demise of the Ford Pinto.) In November 1969, the New York Times observed: "Rising concern about the environmental crisis is sweeping the nation's campuses with an intensity that may be on its way to eclipsing student discontent over the war in Vietnam."

An American day of observance and national service was born.

We could wax ad nauseam about just wanting to celebrate Earth Day. While the world pays homage Mother Earth, we will take this opportunity to give our props to the 1970s rock band Rare Earth.

Motown signed Rare Earth in 1969. A fusion of rock, funk and blue-eyed soul, Rare Earth scored Top-40 hits by covering the Temptations' classics "(I Know) I'm Losing You" and "Get Ready."

Rare Earth recorded "I Just Want to Celebrate", which soared to #7 on the Billboard Top-100 chart in 1971. The Ford Motor Co. and AT&T purchased the rites of the song to peddle cars and telecommunications. Peter Krause lip synced the chorus during the series finale of Six Feet Under.

The group returned to the Billboard charts in 1971 when "Hey, Big Brother" peaked at #19. Three year later, Rare Earth served as the opening act of the California Jam festival in Ontario, CA. More than 200,000 fans attended an eclectic program that included: Earth Wind and Fire; the Eagles; Black Sabbath; Deep Purple; Emerson, Lake and Palmer; and Seals and Crofts.

In 2005, Rare Earth was inducted into the Michigan Rock 'n Roll Legends, an online musical Hall of Fame. Lest you sneer, consider that the initial inductee class included: Stevie Wonder; Aretha Franklin; Smokey Robinson; Marvin Gaye; Temptations; Four Tops; Supremes; Jackie Wilson; Martha and the Vandellas; Alice Cooper; and Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels.

While the group composition has changed, Rare Earth continues to perform. Maybe they'll come to the Emerald Queen Casino or the Western Washington Fair.

Meanwhile, do something nice for the planet and the the Genesee off-leash park: Pick up after your dog. And celebrate another day of living.