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. [5] Allen was selected to be lead vocalist, and Frank Cook later joined on drums. [5]
Originally known as The Pacific Gas and Electric Blues Band, they shortened their name when they signed to Power Records, releasing the album Get It On in early 1968. [5] The record was not a success, but following the band's performance at the Miami Pop Festival in December 1968, [5] they were signed by Columbia Records. [6] [7]
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. [5] The title track "Are You Ready?" reached No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. [8]
After the album was recorded, Cook was injured in a car accident and was replaced on drums by Ron Woods, with Cook staying on as manager. Marshall and Schwartz left and were replaced by Frank Petricca (bass) and Ken Utterback (guitar), [9] 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. [6] Film footage of the band playing at the Kentucky federal narcotics farm exists and was used for the imagery in a later music video. [10] 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. The band changed their name to, `PG&E’, following pressure from the utility company of the same name (similar to Chicago Transit Authority becoming Chicago.)
Frank Cook was dismissed and replaced by Tim Rose's manager Jack Beale (John L Beale, Jr.). Frank Petricca stayed on as bass; drummer Ron Woods and percussionist Joe Lala were replaced by drummer Alvin Taylor. Kenny Utterback was replaced by rising young guitarist, Paul Warren. Allen later added a horn section to join the band, consisting of Jerry Aiello (keyboards), Stanley Abernathy (trumpet), Alfred Galagos and Virgil Gonsalves (saxophones).
Allen and Beale put together a one and a half year game place for the group, encompassing Allen's vision of creating a more cohesive band while working on new material. The group hired an agent who secured the band gigs across the United States.
Beale contacted Terry King, who was also Tim Rose's booking agent in London, and King secured an extensive European for the group. The band opened 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.
Toward the end of the tour, Allen began to feel poorly. Upon returning to Hollywood, doctors suggested detox, rehabilitation, and bed rest. Consequently, the band broke up.
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]
Members' lives post-band
Tom Marshall later suffered deteriorating health and personal circumstances, being homeless since the 1980s. [11]
Frank Petricca became a commodity broker. [12]
Charlie Allen died on May 7, 1990, aged 48. [13]
Glenn Schwartz became the guitarist for the Gospel rock group All Saved Freak Band. He died on November 3, 2018, aged 77. [14]
Frank Cook became a qualified psychologist, and died on July 9, 2021, aged 79. [15]
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 others.
Paul Warren formed his own group, The Express, and later became Rod Stewart's touring guitarist.
