Charlie Allen

Who is Charlie Allen?

Charles E. "Charlie" Allen was one of the founding members of blues and rock outfit Pacific Gas & Electric and the vocalist for the group. By 1968, the group consisted of Charlie Allen, Frank Cook, Tom Marshall, Brent Block, and guitarist Glenn Schwartz. Besides being remembered for his association with Pacific Gas & Electric, Allen is perhaps best remembered for the hit single "Are You Ready ?" that he co-wrote with John Hill which besides being a hit for Pacific Gas & Electric has been covered by The Staple Singers, and DeGarmo and Key.

Allen was originally the drummer for the Pacific Gas And Electric Blues Band. His vocal abilities meant that he was destined to be the band's frontman so he was placed up front and Frank Cook, the former drummer for Canned Heat, became the drummer. Allen would remain the front man for the band right up until the breakup of the group.

The group became popular and appeared at many concerts along with other big name bands. They also appeared in, and contributed music to the Otto Preminger directed film Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon starring Liza Minnelli, James Coco and Fred Williamson in an early role.