Rivera still finds plenty to sing about

It’s been more than 30 years since Peter Rivera recorded an honest to god album.

Sure, there was a live album he did with Classic Rock All Stars, the band he toured with for 17 years. He released an unplugged album called “Been There Doing This” in 2011.

But “It Is What It Is” is the first “real” album he’s recorded in decades. “So far, people like it,” he said.

Rivera rose to fame as the drummer and singer for Rare Earth, the 1970s band famous for being the first white group signed to Motown Records and for the hits “I Just Want to Celebrate” and “Get Ready.”

The 70-year-old Spokane resident started work on “It Is What It Is” about a year ago. He collaborated with producer David Cebert and Joe Brasch on the songwriting. “I did all the drum, all the vocal and most of the background vocal, too,” he said.

The album sports a bluesy rock feel that serves Rivera’s still formidable voice well. People often ask him what he does to care for his distinctive voice.

“I don’t do anything special. I wake up,” he said with a laugh. “I wake up and” – he coughs – “it’s still there.”

He’s always writing songs, he said. Some come to fruition, others dead end. When he started thinking about making a new record, he had ideas and some songs not fully realized. But when he and Cebert started work, Cebert could help spark Rivera through the rest of the song.

“I have more songs, and we’re already talking about other stuff. I’m still writing,” he said.

The songs come from his personal life. “I’m Still in Love With Love” is about his wife, Dabar, who died two years ago; they were together for 43 years and have three children. “Love is Unpredictable” is about finding new romance. “Look What We’ve Done” is about his hometown of Detroit.

He’s doing this record the new-school way. He recorded it locally, it’s available on CD and digitally through iTunes and Amazon, and there’s no record label involved. “The record labels are gone, most of them,” he said. “They just want you when you’re 16 years old.”

He still tours, and he likes to play locally, places like Chateau Rive, Arbor Crest and Pig Out in Park. He’s a consistent presence at the annual Street Music Week.

While the record came out in December, Rivera is holding a CD release show on Saturday at Chateau Rive. Joining him will be Brasch, Dan McCollim, Daniel Cox, Eddie Ramirez and Tara Brasch. They’ll play the new songs, but worry not, fans. “Get Ready” and “Celebrate” will be on the set list.

“They always want to hear that,” he said. “That’s OK. I love doing it.”

After singing professionally for five decades, Rivera still isn’t ready to call it quits.

“It’s the only thing I know how to do, and I absolutely do love it. I have no plans to ever retire. People ask me when I’m going to retire. Never. I hope never,” Rivera said. “Look at Tony Bennett. He’s 86 years old and still singing.”