Originally from Paterson, NJ, Pete is a lifelong resident of New Jersey. He started singing at a very early age, and when his mother's friend, opera singer Lupe Landin, heard him sing she encouraged his mother to provide him with music lessons. He played music on and off through school. He got serious about music when he, as so many others, heard The Beatles. Ringo Starr inspired him to play drums and Pete became a drummer for some local garage bands. He also took up bass in his early teens, inspired by Paul McCartney and original Vanilla Fudge and Cactus bassist, Tim Bogert. He received formal music training at William Paterson University. Here he met jazz great Thad Jones from whom he received more training.
Pete spent most of his career as a local New Jersey musician, but got a break in 1997 when he met original Vanilla Fudge lead guitarist Vince Martell and in 1999 was recruited for the Vince Martell band where he has been a member ever since.
In January 2002, as Vanilla Fudge was set to embark on tour, original Fudge bassist Tim Bogert suddenly became ill and Pete was called to sub for him on less than 24 hours notice. As Tim remained ill for many months, Pete continued to tour with Vanilla Fudge for most of the year.
In 2004, Pete toured with singer/songwriter Essra Mohawk. Her album Primordial Lovers was rated by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the top 25 albums of all time. He toured again with Mohawk in 2005.
In 2008, Tim once again became ill and Pete substituted for him once again, but this time it was with Cactus.
In 2011, Vanilla Fudge embarked on its Farewell Tour with Pete playing bass as Tim had retired from touring. Also in 2011, a reunited Cactus, which is the band Vanilla Fudge drummer Carmine Appice and bassist Tim Bogert formed after Vanilla Fudge broke up in 1970, also featured Pete on bass. He is the only non-original member that played in both bands. In 2012, Pete is still touring with both bands.