Carmine Appice #38 Vanilla Fudge - Cactus - Rod Stewart

100 drummers I’ve seen and heard in my lifetime

Carmine Appice

I became aware of Carmine Appice in the mid 60s, he was with the group Vanilla Fudge. His performance playing Keep Me Hanging On, The Ed Sullivan Show is still a classic. Carmine Appice and Dino Danelli (1944-2022) were 2 of my favorite drummers from that mid 60s period. Both played Ludwig drums with explosive technique and attitude. 

It’s interesting to review how many drummers from that period (the 60s and 70s) expanded their drumset or changed styles. Carmine Appice modified his kit and style. 

I saw him with Cactus, the original group, which contained Carmine, Tim Bogart, Jim McCarty and Rusty Day. They were a “Power Trio” with vocals. There were several groups from that concept (Mountain – Grand Funk Railroad – James Gang) and others, competing for that audience. 

Jimi Hendrix and Cream were and continue to be my favorite. 

As an author, Carmine Appice, was one of the first to publish a best selling drum instruction book, The Realistic Rock Drum Method, in 1972. After a stint with Jeff Beck in the power trio Beck, Bogart & Appice, he joined Rod Stewart’s backing band in 1976. Appice co-wrote the hit tune “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?

In 2016, Carmine Appice published his memoir, Stick It! My Life of Sex, Drums & Rock ‘n’ Roll.