Lydia Pense & Cold Blood debuted when the Fillmore was at its peak as one of the nation’s musical Meccas. Owner Bill Graham was so impressed with Lydia’s voice and the sound of the band that he immediately signed Cold Blood to his new record label. During the span of six original late-60′s, early-70′s albums, Lydia Pense and Cold Blood helped, along with Tower Of Power, forge their own specific brand of funk/soul and R&B which came to be known as East Bay Grease. That music still holds up today, proving that great music is timeless and will continue to inspire generations to come.
It’s been a long road, over 40 years to be exact with a break somewhere in the middle. But, Lydia and the band are living proof that a little time off can be a really good thing. With their new CD, “The River City Sessions” turning heads across the country, fans are remembering just what has been missing from music in the last few decades. These songs exemplify how a performer can take great strides forward, without forgetting her roots. Cold Blood is booking dozens of shows across the country, entertaining generations of club, theatre and festival goers.
Rick Stevens’ vocals first came to prominence when he sang on ‘Sparkling in the Sand’ from East Bay Grease, Tower of Power’s first album on San Francisco Records. In 1972, he forever etched his place in music history with the memorable ‘You’re Still a Young Man,’ from the album Bump City, leading to TOP’s first chart record. His other signature track from that recording was ‘Down to the Night Club,’ both songs which remain Tower of Power staples to this very day, 40 years later.
Cold Blood at the Fillmore:
And watch the show on YouTube at or right here:
