Pacific Gas & Electric (band)

Pacific Gas & Electric was an American rock band in the late 1960s and early 1970s, led by singer Charlie Allen. Their biggest hit was the gospel-tinged "Are You Ready?" in 1970.

Music

The band's music encompasses blues, blues rock, soul, soul-rock, psychedelic rock, jazz and jazz-rock.

History

The band was formed in Los Angeles, California, United States, in 1967, by guitarist Tom Marshall, bassist Brent Block, lead guitarist Glenn Schwartz (formerly of The James Gang) and drummer Charlie Allen, who had previously played in the band Bluesberry Jam. When it became clear that Allen was the best singer in the new group, he became the front man, and Frank Cook, previously of Canned Heat, came into the band on drums.

Originally known as the Pacific Gas and Electric Blues Band, they shortened their name when they signed to Kent Records, releasing the album Get It On in early 1968. The record was not a success, but following the band's performance at the Miami Pop Festival in December 1968, they were signed by Columbia Records.

Their first album for Columbia, Pacific Gas and Electric, was issued in 1969, but they achieved greater success with their next album, Are You Ready, in 1970. The title track "Are You Ready?" reached No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100.

After the album was recorded, Cook was injured in a car accident and was replaced on drums by Ron Woods, Cook staying on as manager. Marshall and Schwartz left and were replaced by Frank Petricca (bass) and Ken Utterback (guitar), with Brent Block moving to rhythm guitar before leaving later in 1970. Unusually for the time, the band contained both black and white musicians, which led to rioting and gunfire on one occasion when the band, who toured widely, performed in Raleigh, North Carolina. Film footage of the band playing at the Kentucky federal narcotics farm exists and was used for the imagery in a later music video. During the recording of the album `PG&E’, Charlie Allen was not happy with the direction of his band; he had his own vision, and direction. First, he wanted to tour England and Europe where `Are You Ready’ was topping the charts. major changes were afoot. T he band changed their name to, `PG&E’, following pressure from the utility company of the same name (similar to Chicago Transit Authoring becoming `CTA)’

Frank Cook was dismissed, replaced by Tim Rose’s manager Jack Beale (John L Beale, Jr.), known for his honesty, perseverance, dedication and foresight. Jack promised to make the tour happen. Frank Petricca stayed on as bass; Drummer Ron Woods and Percussionist Joe Lala were replaced by dynamic young drummer ALVIN TAYLOR, originally discovered by Little Richard, but when Charlie and Jack saw him they knew his drumming would give Charlie the electrifying beat he was looking for, even though is would be Alvin’s first foray Into a group setting. Kenny Utterback was replaced by rising young guitarist phenom PAUL WARREN. Charlie added a horn section (a year before Tower of Power) to join the band: Jerry Aiello (keyboards), Stanley Abernathy (trumpet), Alfred Galagos and Virgil Gonsalves (saxophones).

They finished recording the `PG&E’ album, , and also appeared in and provided music for the Otto Preminger film Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon starring Liza Minnelli.

Together Charlie and Jack put together a one and a half year game place for the group, encompassing Charlie’s vision of creating a more cohesive band while working on Charlie’s new material. The answer was touring. A new agent was hired in St. Clair Shores who booked them throughout the Mid-West (even replacing Tommy James at different venues), and on through the South to Miami, then up to Washington and New York.

Jack Beale contacted Mr. Terry King who was also Tim Rose’s booking agent in London,and he Immediately secured an extensive European for `PG&E’ . Openi ng for Pink Floyd at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam; Brian Auger & The Trinity with Julie Driscoll in the Olympic Stadium in West Berlin; concerts, venues and festivals in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy along with numerous television appearances. The entire multi month tour was a tremendous success.

Toward the end of the tour, Charlie began to feel poorly. Doctors in England were mystified, but they had an idea. Upon returning to Hollywood, doctors suggested detox, rehad and plenty of bed rest. Obviously, the band broke up.

ALVIN TAYLOR became a much sought after studio drummer, working with the likes of Elton John, George Harrison, Billy Preston on the very first episode of `Saturday Night Live’, among many Others. He wrote his autobiography, “Drum Major 2 Major Drummer”, a great read!

PAUL WARREN formed his own group, `The Express’, and became Rod Stewart’s touring guitarist.

JACK BEALE, ever the entrepreneur, invented `Recordcards’, greeting cards with a playable Gold flexie disc inside, for the King Tut exhibit with the song `Son Of The Pharaoh’ and for the Olympics, `Great Moments Of The Modern Games’ . He’s now a Producer, Distributor and Video archivist, with the Rights to one of the largest multi genre video libraries in the world, featuring English & Spanish cartoons, feature films, biographies, theatrical movie trailers; English & Spanish music videos and live performaces. A final album, using the name Pacific Gas & Electric Starring Charlie Allen, was recorded by Allen with studio musicians and released on the Dunhill label in 1973.[6][7] Frank Petricca became a commodity broker.[12] Charlie Allen died on May 7, 1990, aged 48.[13]