PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC * Are You Ready? 1970 HQ

Pacific Gas & Electric was an American blues 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.

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 May 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 #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.

In 1971, the band changed their name to PG&E, following pressure from the utility company of the same name (ironically, decades after the band split up, the utility would start calling itself PG&E). The band also expanded, Allen, Woods, Petricca and Utterback being joined by Jerry Aiello (keyboards), Stanley Abernathy (trumpet), Alfred Galagos and Virgil Gonsalves (saxophones), and Joe Lala (percussion). They recorded the album PG&E, and also appeared in and provided music for the Otto Preminger film Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon starring Liza Minnelli. The band then split up.

For a time the group also included Rick Durrett on keyboards, formerly of the band The Coven.[citation needed]

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

[hilmarwensorra]

In very loving memory of Mr. Charlie Allen (1942 - 1990 R.I.P. Gone but NOT forgotten).

[elpiel]

🇨🇱 Excelente, siempre me gustó este gran tema.. y lo coloco en mi auto..pa que los jóvenes sepan lo que es MÚSICA 🎶

[jrhelectric]

Saw this great band around 1970 @ State Fair of Texas Band Shell. Good to hear it again

[bernhardherrmann]

OUTSTANDING TUNE ! - THE GUITAR IS UNBELIEVABLE ! :-D ! Bernie / GERMANY

[joelewing]

I remember hearing this badass tune the first time in @ 1970 when I was a freshman in high school in Tucson, Az. (CDO). I had been a hard core rocker deep in my soul (still am at age 66 in '21) and what moved me more than anything about this tune was the absolutely KILLER guitar solo it contained. So....I'd forgotten about PGE and this tune for years until it came into my mind late tonight on a drive home from Phoenix back to Tucson. I made a mental note to play this when I arrived....and boys, disappointed I ain't. Damn this sounds to believe I'm this tune is 50 plus years from when I first jammed it. I feel good that even with life's occasional beatings that we all get....my rockin' soul evidently hasn't changed all that much. Cool! God Bless you all jbeintucson

[antoniopaglianiti]

El disco completo esta barbaro se los recomiendo que lo bajen es un blucero y un comjunto genial yo lo tengo y todos los temas que hicieron son estupendos gracias amigos los quiero

[paulvergeer]

52 years later: nobody is ready for acceptance of the huge rise of prices for gas & electric!

[recordguy]

the picure posted is NOT the lineup that recorded this except for vocalist Charlie Allen front and center R I P

[terminaltom]

Ahem... the guitar solo here is okay, but way too long. Ir you want to hear it done right, listen to the fuzz solo on New Riders of the Purple Sage: "I don't need no doctor" off the Powerglide album

Not dissing this solo, and the song itself is fantastic. Love it.