I got a call from Charlie Allen in the middle of the night, asking me to switch from bass to rhythm guitar. They had found a bass player and lead guitarist, and this would replace Glenn and Tom. The bass player was a very talented man from the Chicago area, Frank Petricca. I don't remember the guitarist's name (funny how I forget guitar players) but his style wasn't right for the band, and Frank somehow found Kenny Utterback, another great Illinois musician, who was perfect for us.

I left the band at the end of 1970. Frank Cook had decided that there was more longevity in a solo artist than there was with a group, who he figured would only last about five years. He was looking to position the band to be more of a Vegas style resort band, with Charlie as the featured attraction. This was so totally wrong for the core audience we had built up. Today, Vegas might be a great gig, but this was 34 years ago. Charlie had a girlfriend for a short while who was an Austrailian pop singer, and I went to see her manager. I asked if he'd be interested in managing the remainer of the band, and he seemed very interested. Word got back to Frank Cook that I had had this meeting, and I was dismissed from the band I had helped start. I was kind of burnt out anyway, so I didn't put up any fight.

I know that Charlie continued on performing after the Pacific Gas and Electric recording days were over. As far as I know, he never married or had children. He died in 1990, and I heard about his passing on the radio. I haven't heard from Tom Marshall since the mid '70's. I wish someone would let me know of his whereabouts (Webmaster Note: Since Brent wrote this, he has had an emotional reunion with Tom Marshall. Click Here to read this touching story). Ken and Frank P. have their own pages on this site and can catch you up on their lives. Frank Cook, I believe, is a Psychiatrist in California. Glenn went on to tour and record with the All Saved Freak Band. Eventually he went back to Cleveland, and still plays and preaches religion. There are a few articles about him on the internet.

As for myself, I went into teaching music and taking college courses. Some instructors I studied under started a publishing company called "Professional Music Products". I did about 7 books for them. I taught guitar at various places, including Valley Arts Guitars, which I had started at in 1975. It was THE place to be. I remember such stars as Howard Roberts doing workshops there. My studio was right below the room where Paul Rivera was testing his amps. I also taught some classes at the Dick Grove School of Music. I decided that if I was really going to be serious about teaching, I'd better get my degree, which I recieved in 1996, and I now teach at independent schools here in California.

If you were, or are, a fan of our music, thank you for all your support thru the years. I'd love to hear from you. Please post your messages to me on the talkboard here. I promise to reply when I can.
Boogie