Biography
Late in 1964 an acid punk band that would become known as William Penn & His Pals first assembled on the campus of the College of San Mateo. Initially performing under the name the DiscCounts, the founding members included vocalist Neil Holtmann, guitarist Mike Dunn, bassist Steve Sweet, and drummer Ron Cox. Keyboardist Dave Lovell joined early the next year, yet several months later the group underwent extensive personnel changes and adopted both its lasting name and a Revolutionary War stage aesthetic featuring ruffled shirts and tri-cornered hats; the revised lineup at that point comprised Holtmann, Cox, Lovell, guitarist Mike Shapiro, and bassist Steve Leidenthal. Former Nomads guitarist Jack Shelton soon enlarged the ensemble to six pieces, and for a brief period the second drum chair was occupied by Mickey Hart prior to his joining the Grateful Dead. At the beginning of 1966 Gregg Rolie replaced Lovell on keyboards and gradually assumed most vocal responsibilities, which resulted in Holtmann’s departure. William Penn & His Pals maintained a steady presence on the Bay Area circuit, frequently supporting Jefferson Airplane, Paul Revere & the Raiders, and Them. Their sole single, “Swami,” was issued in 1966 under the William Penn Fyve moniker and later achieved underground classic standing after its appearance on the third Pebbles anthology. Although a Fantasy Records agreement appeared imminent, the band dissolved in 1967; Rolie subsequently became a member of Santana. In 2003 the Beat label gathered the complete recorded output onto a single CD.
Albums
