Carmine Appice

“My H2 rocks! I can get a great drum sound with it anywhere I go. And it’s so easy to use. With no mics to set up, I just put it in front of my drums and capture pristine audio. Then I can throw that great drum sound onto my computer or studio digi systems and burn it to CD. It really is that easy.”

Carmine Appice Bio:

“Carmine Appice set the foundation for heavy drumming…before Bonham, before Ian Paice…before anyone else.”-Rick Van Horn, Modern Drummer

As drummer for Vanilla Fudge, Carmine Appice set the grooves for the groundbreaking band’s 1967 psychedelic debut, inadvertently inventing Stoner Rock in the process. The Fudge had no precedent. The band was totally unique. No rock group, up until that point, had ever so lugubriously s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d out well-known pop tunes like the Beatles “Eleanor Rigby” and “Ticket To Ride,” Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready,” Sonny & Cher’s “Bang Bang” Rod Argent’s “She’s Not There” and, most famously, The Supremes’ Motown classic “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” to such hippie heights. With Mark Stein’s mysterioso wash of Grand Guignol keyboard theatrics, Tim Bogert’s amazing and trippy bass runs, and guitarist Vince Martell’s era-happy soloing, Appice boomed like no other drummer in rock history. Their debut album still stands today as a Hard Rock classic. Vanilla Fudge went on to tour with Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and even had Led Zeppelin as an opening act.

Post-Fudge, Bogert and Appice formed Cactus (seen as an influence on King’s X and Van Halen). Post-Cactus, the rhythm section found Grammy-winning Guitar Hero Jeff Beck to form the first supergroup: Beck, Bogert & Appice (BBA).

One of the premier showmen in rock, Appice became known worldwide for his astonishing live performances, in addition to becoming a highly sought-after session drummer, recording with countless artists throughout his career. In ’76, he joined Rod Stewart’s band, touring, recording and writing two of Stewart’s biggest hits, “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” and “Young Turks.” He left Stewart to record his first solo album, Rockers, and tour Japan and North America with an allstar band. In the early ’80s, he formed King Kobra for two Capitol albums and international touring. In the late ’80s, he formed Blue Murder with Whitesnake’s John Sykes and The Firm’s Tony Franklin. In the early ’90s, he pounded away soul-style for The Edgar Winter Group.

As an educator, Carmine was the first to legitimize rock drumming with his landmark book, *The Realistic Rock Drum Method*, selling over 300,000 copies (now in video format). He was the first rock drummer to conduct instructional clinics and symposiums around the world, a tradition he continues. In appreciation for his universal appeal, Los Angeles was one of four cities that have had “Carmine Appice Day.” In ’91, he was forever immortalized via his induction in cement to the Hollywood’s Rock Walk (next to his idols, Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich).

1995 — Guitar Zeus album has Appice with Motley Crue’s Mick Mars, Queen’s Brian May, Ted Nugent, Slash and Jennifer Batten.
1997 — “Lifetime Achievement” honor from the Los Angeles Music Awards
1998 — Chasing Destiny movie-in which he appears with Denny Laine of Wings, Roger Daltrey of The Who and Christopher Lloyd-contains five of his co-written songs.
1999 — With bassist Bogert and legendary Japanese guitarist Char, he forms Char, Bogert & Appice (CBA) for nine sold-out Japanese shows including a historic Christmas Day Budokan concert.
2000 — Appice appeared on VH-1’s Rockshow along with Plant & Page, Def Leppard and Kid Rock.
2000 — Modern Drummer presents him with its “Editor’s Achievement Award.”
2001 — With bassist Bogert, he teams up with Rick Derringer for Derringer, Bogert, and Appice (DBA).
2002 — The Ultimate Realistic Rock Drum Method is published by Warner Bros.
2004 — Sabian Cymbals presents him with another “Lifetime Achievement Award.”
2004 — It Takes A Lot Of Balls album with Pat Travers is released.
2005 — Two albums, one live/one studio, are released: Travers & Appice Live Featuring TM Stevens At The House Of Blues (Escapi), and Bazooka (Cleopatra).
2005 — Vanilla Fudge reunite to rock the house during a taping of VH1-Classic’s Decades.

As a true artist, Carmine stretches the limits of his talents, always pursuing new experiences with a broad spectrum of musicians. His high standards have earned him the respect of the world’s most admired performers as well as captivating the loyalty of legions of fans. He has reshaped the path of music education, redesigned the very instrument he plays, and recreates excitement with every performance.

Now, the legendary percussionist is working on The Carmine Appice Project’s Six-String Heroes, a momentous event that will include some of the greatest six-string practitioners at the height of their art.

Carmine Appice is, truly, A Different Drummer.