Lydia Pense and Cold Blood in Tracy March 28
- Richard Varrasso
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
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.
Their initial four albums Cold Blood, Sisyphus, First Taste of Sin and Thriller remain their best known work.
The band continues to record and perform today.
The word legend certainly applies to Lydia Pense and Cold Blood…and not in some past tense-make-a-living-as-an-oldies-act sort of way either. Pense can still shout like a 60's soul diva and purr a slow blues tune with spine-tingling subtlety.
Cold Blood, as a whole, features a stellar group of musicians who have been playing together for nearly 20 years including Steve Dunne on guitar, Steve Salinas on keyboards, a gritty-growling horn section comprised of Rich Armstrong and Rob Zuckerman along with a stellar rhythm section featuring Evan Palmerston on bass and T Moran on drums. The band members are all veteran Bay Area musicians who have played with many great artists including Elvin Bishop, Jefferson Starship, Boz Skaggs, Albert Collins and more.
Of course there is Lydia who still has the chops with the patina of a seasoned veteran who's done and seen it all. Together she and the band continue to twist together R&B, (both Old School and New School); into something that doesn't have a label... On any given night, Lydia Pense and Cold Blood power through their historic essentials, like "You Got Me Hummin'," "I Just Want To Make Love To You," "I'm A Good Woman," and "Down to the Bone."
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, "Soul Of The Gypsy" turning heads across the country, fans are remembering just what has been missing from music in the last few decades. The 12 songs exemplify how a performer can take great strides forward, without forgetting her roots. Using "Soul Of The Gypsy" as their muse there is a renewed interest in live performances, from both the band, and venue owners. Cold Blood is booking dozens of shows across the country, entertaining generations of club, theatre and festival goers.
And, of course, anything Lydia sings is sung well.
She has a list of famous admirers that includes Bonnie Raitt, Michelle Shocked, David Lee Roth, even Janis Joplin back in the day.
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The SkeletonCrew Motorcycle Club is celebrating its 25 year anniversary with a gala celebration open to the public at the Mountain House Bar & Grill in Tracy, CA featuring the brass and vocals of Lydia Pense and Cold Blood. This promises to bring her brand of Funk and soul music to an already spectacular annual event that shows off the grandeur of this well established brotherhood of motorcycle riders. Admission includes their always tasty meal, raffle and entertainment. There is limited seating. The show starts at 12 noon and goes to 5pm. Tickets are available from a member or on the Eventbrite.
SkeletonCrew 25 year anniversary
Saturday March 28 2026 Noon - 5pm
Mountain House Bar and Grill
16784 W Grantline Rd Tracy, CA 95304 925-447-0365
Headliner: Cold Blood featuring Lydia Pense
Support: Richie’s Famous Hits featuring Johnny Gunn and Leilani Hollywood
For Tickets- Eventbrite - search "Lydia Pense"
Show produced by Creative Copperopolis - A nonprofit organization
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