Influential Rock drummer Carmine Appice turns 78 today
He came to prominence during the 1960’s as part of the Psychedelic Rock band Vanilla Fudge
Influential Rock drummer Carmine Appice turns 78 today
One of the most influential Rock drummers of all time, Carmine Appice was born in Brooklyn, New York on December 15th, 1946. He received classical music training and was influenced early-on by the work of jazz drummers Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa, but it was during the 1960’s as the drummer of the Psychedelic Rock band Vanilla Fudge that Appice came to prominence. Appice contributed distinctive background harmonies with bassist Tim Bogert. They released their self-titled album “Vanilla Fudge” in 1967 that included their signature song, “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” a cover of The Supremes. After five albums, Appice and Bogert left Vanilla Fudge to form the blues rock quartet Cactus, with vocalist Rusty Day and guitarist Jim McCarty. Appice and Bogert then left Cactus to join Jeff Beck in the power trio Beck, Bogert & Appice. He later joined Rod Stewart’s backing band in 1977, co-writing songs such as “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” and “Young Turks.” He also played drums on a track on Paul Stanley’s eponymous solo album in 1978. In 1983 he toured with Ozzy Osbourne to promote Ozzy’s album “Bark at the Moon.” Appice has also recorded with artists such as Stanley Clarke, Ted Nugent, and Pink Floyd. He has also played with King Kobra and Blue Murder with John Sykes. A contributor for charity causes, on May 23, 1981, Mayor Tom Bradley of Los Angeles proclaimed that day as Carmine Appice Day in Los Angeles in recognition of Appice’s charitable and educational work. Appice is credited with pioneering and developing the Heavy Metal and Hard Rock drumming technique and influencing drummers including Iron Maiden’s Nicko McBrain; Aerosmith’s Joey Kramer; Roger Taylor of Queen; Phil Collins of Genesis; Rush’s Neil Peart; Mötley Crüe’s Tommy Lee; Slayer’s Dave Lombardo; Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham; Ian Paice of Deep Purple and, Eric Singer of Kiss. Appice published his memoir, “Stick It! My Life of Sex, Drums & Rock ‘n’ Roll” in 2016 and he in recent years been touring with the re-formed Vanilla Fudge which include all original members except bass player Tim Bogert.
Watch Vanilla Fudge performing their hit “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” with Carmine Appice on drums at The Ed Sullvan Show, 1968
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