WARREN — From Rolling Stones to “The Muppet Show,” Carmine Appice is celebrated as one of the greatest rock and roll drummers of all time.
On Oct. 28, Appice and his band Vanilla Fudge are coming to Warren for a show at Struthers Library Theatre.
Named to the Classic Drummer Hall of Fame, the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame and ranked number 28 on Rolling Stones’ list of Greatest Drummers of All Time, Appice is a bruising power hitter with an instantly identifiable style.
Appice’s playing style, persona and black Fu Manchu moustache are so recognizable, it is rumored that Appice is the direct inspiration for the drummer muppet “Animal.”
As one of rock’s most storied drummers, Appice is a member of Vanilla Fudge and was a member of Cactus; Beck, Bogert and Appice; and Blue Murder. Appice also thumped skins for Rod Stewart, Ted Nugent, Rick Derringer and Ozzy Osbourne.
Appice’s career was launched by Vanilla Fudge’s huge hit, a slowed-down, psychedelicized version of the Supremes’ “You Keep Me Hangin’ On.” On one Fudge tour, their support act was a young Led Zeppelin, for whom Appice tutored John Bonham on drum brands.
A valuable team player as well as a hard-driving solo star, Appice literally wrote the book on rock drumming: His 1972 text The Realistic Rock Drum Method has been a staple since its release.
Appice made his name in the late Sixties with eccentric psych outfit Vanilla Fudge, then adopted a heavier blues-rock style with Cactus and Beck, Bogert & Appice. He demonstrated his range in the late-Seventies Rod Stewart band, contributing sassy backbeats and key songwriting assistance on hits such as “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy.” Stewart reportedly called Appice “The Dentist” for all his fill-ins.
The show in Warren starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at the door, online at strutherslibrarytheatre.com, at the theatre office or by phone at 723-7231.
