Gamma -

Gamma was an American hard-rock band from San Francisco, formed by guitarist and Montrose mastermind Ronnie Montrose. They released three albums between 1979 and 1982 on Elektra.

Members: Ronnie Montrose (guitar), Jim Alciver (keyboards, 1979-81), Alan Fitzgerald (bass, 1979-80), Davey Pattison (vocals), Skip Gallette (drums, 1979-80), Glenn Letsch (bass, 1980-82), Denny Carmassi (drums, 1980-82), Mitchell Froom (keyboards)

Background

Ronnie Montrose formed Gamma in 1978 after the completion of his debut solo album, Open Fire. Beforehand, he masterminded hard-rockers Montrose, which released four albums between 1973 and 1976 on Warner Bros., the first two with singer Sammy Hagar.

Gamma 1

Gamma released their debut album, Gamma 1, in August 1979 on Elektra.

The album introduced a polished, futuristic hard rock sound anchored by Ronnie Montrose’s guitar riffs and the soaring vocals of Scottish newcomer Davey Pattison, who fronted the project alongside ex-Montrose bandmates Jim Alcivar (synthesizers) and Alan Fitzgerald (bass). Drummer Skip Gillette completed the lineup.

Gamma 1 blends heavy guitar with synth atmospheres, kicking off with the high-voltage “Thunder and Lightning” and the propulsive single “I’m Alive,” a revamp of the 1965 Hollies hit by Clint Ballard Jr. Pattison and Montrose co-wrote the dramatic “Razor King,” while Alcivar co-penned the closing epic “Fight to the Finish.” Side two includes “Solar Heat,” a short Montrose instrumental, and a brooding version of Mickey Newbury’s “Wish I Was.”

A1. “Thunder and Lightning” (4:37)
A2. “I’m Alive” (3:18)
A3. “Razor King” (5:53)
A4. “No Tears” (4:53)

B1. “Solar Heat” (3:09)
B2. “Ready for Action” (3:39)
B3. “Wish I Was” (5:16)
B4. “Fight to the Finish” (6:25)

Gamma 1 was produced and engineered by Ken Scott, a British studio veteran known for his work with David Bowie, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and more recently Devo (Duty Now for the Future), Dixie Dregs (What If), and Happy the Man (Crafty Hands). The album was recorded at Chateau Recorders in North Hollywood and mastered by Bernie Grundman at A&M Studios, LA.

The cover of Gamma 1 features a surreal, split-image portrait of a suited figure whose face and torso are partially overlaid with vivid anatomical diagrams of nerves, veins, and muscles, creating a striking fusion of human form and scientific illustration.

The album spent 17 weeks on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 131, with “I’m Alive” reaching No. 60 on the Hot 100.

Gamma 2

Gamma released their second album, Gamma 2, in September 1980 on Elektra.

Ronnie Montrose reshuffled the lineup once again, retaining vocalist Davey Pattison, keyboardist Jim Alcivar, and himself while bringing in bassist Glenn Letsch (replacing Alan Fitzgerald) and former Montrose bandmate Denny Carmassi on drums.

The album opens with “Mean Streak,” a turbulent rocker written by Montrose, Pattison, and Alcivar. Side A continues with the galloping “Four Horsemen,” the soulful “Dirty City” (with a guest vocal from Genya Ravan), and the cinematic sci-fi piece “Voyager.”

Side B includes a high-octane version of John “Speedy” Keen’s 1969 Thunderclap Newman classic “Something in the Air,” followed by three Montrose/Stahl co-writes: the feline funk rocker “Cat on a Leash,” the percussive, stutter-riffed “Skin and Bone,” and the spiraling, synth-laced closer “Mayday,” co-written with Alcivar.

A1. “Mean Streak” (4:50)
A2. “Four Horsemen” (4:48)
A3. “Dirty City” (4:04) – features vocals by ex-Ten Wheel Drive frontwoman Genya Ravan.
A4. “Voyager” (5:23)

B1. “Something in the Air” (3:17) – a cover of the 1969 Thunderclap Newman hit by John “Speedy” Keen
B2. “Cat on a Leash” (4:03)
B3. “Skin and Bone” (4:48)
B4. “Mayday” (5:37)

Ronnie Montrose co-produced Gamma 2 with Gary Lyons (Queen, Foreigner), who also engineered and mixed the album at Mediasound Studios in New York. Mastering was handled by George Marino at Sterling Sound. Sessions took place at The Automatt in San Francisco, a hub for West Coast rock and fusion.

The cover art, designed by Mick Haggerty and photographed by Jeffrey Scales, show shark fins breaking ground on a lawn near the sun-bathing toes of an off-screen female.

Gamma 2 peaked at No. 131 on the Billboard 200 and continued the band’s blend of hard rock muscle with sleek, modernist touches—building on the momentum of their debut while pushing further into post-punk production aesthetics.

Gamma 3

Gamma released their third album, Gamma 3, in February 1982 on Elektra.

The lineup from Gamma 2 carried over into this release, marking the first time Ronnie Montrose kept a stable roster for more than one album. Returning were singer Davey Pattison, bassist Glenn Letsch, drummer Denny Carmassi, and keyboardist Jim Alcivar—though the latter was replaced in the studio by Mitchell Froom, who co-wrote most of the material with Montrose and lyricist Jerry Stahl.

Gamma 3 opens with the dark, syncopated “What’s Gone Is Gone” and the tight, radio-friendly rocker “Right the First Time.” “Moving Violation” and “Mobile Devotion” stretch the band’s dynamics with slashing riffs and spacey keys.

Side B starts with the wiry, Froom–Stahl co-write “Stranger,” followed by the high-tension instrumental “Condition Yellow” and the icy, synth-lined “Modern Girl.” The album closes with the melodic crunch of “No Way Out” and the punchy, riff-driven “Third Degree.”

A1. “What’s Gone Is Gone” (5:30)
A2. “Right the First Time” (3:47)
A3. “Moving Violation” (3:36) – co-written with Carmassi
A4. “Mobile Devotion” (6:34)

B1. “Stranger” (3:00) – written by Froom and Stahl
B2. “Condition Yellow” (4:08) – co-written with Carmassi
B3. “Modern Girl” (3:35)
B4. “No Way Out” (4:05)
B5. “Third Degree” (3:47)

Ronnie Montrose produced Gamma 3 himself, with engineering by Jim Gaines (Santana, Journey). Tracking occurred at The Automatt in San Francisco with mastering by Bobby Hata and Donn Landee at Amigo Studios in Los Angeles.

The sleeve, designed by Mick Haggerty, features a stylized photo montage with clinical, corporate overtones, matching the album’s high-tech polish.

Gamma 3 carried the band’s fusion of hard rock and futuristic textures into the new decade, though it marked the final studio release of the group’s original run. It also further established Mitchell Froom, soon to become a sought-after producer for Crowded House, Los Lobos, and Suzanne Vega.

Post-Gamma

After Gamma 3, Ronnie Montrose paused the Gamma project and resumed his solo career with the all-instrumental Territory (1986), a melodic fusion of hard rock and jazz-tinged textures. He continued recording and touring under his own name, embracing both technical guitar showcases and blues-based material.

Davey Pattison joined Robin Trower’s band in 1986, lending his bluesy baritone to four albums through the early 1990s, starting with Passion. He also recorded as a solo artist and made appearances with Gamma during its later revivals.

Mitchell Froom emerged as a prominent producer by decade’s end, helming acclaimed albums by Crowded House (Crowded House, Temple of Low Men) and Suzanne Vega (Solitude Standing). His signature sound—a blend of vintage keyboard tones and atmospheric arrangements—defined late-80s art pop.

Glenn Letsch followed Montrose into his solo ventures and became a fixture in the Bay Area session scene. He later joined the reformed Gamma lineup in the early 2000s.

Denny Carmassi enjoyed one of the most high-profile post-Gamma careers, joining Heart in 1982 during their transition into chart-topping arena pop. He played on five Heart albums and scored multiple Top 10 hits, including “These Dreams” and “Alone.” He also played on records by Whitesnake, Coverdale/Page, and Sammy Hagar.

While Gamma never officially disbanded in the early ’80s, the group entered a prolonged hiatus. Montrose occasionally hinted at revivals, which eventually materialized in the 2000s as Gamma 4 and a series of reunion gigs.

Discography: