1966: Vanilla Fudge – Music AmneZia1966: Vanilla Fudge

Biography
Genre(s)
Origin
Years
Members
Discography
Song Highlights
Videos
Labels
Associated Acts
Reference

Vanilla Fudge is an American rock band known predominantly for their psychedelic renditions of popular songs. The band’s original lineup—vocalist/organist Mark Stein, bassist/vocalist Tim Bogert, lead guitarist/vocalist Vince Martell, and drummer/vocalist Carmine Appice—recorded five albums during the years 1966–69, before disbanding in 1970. The band has reunited in various configurations over the years, and is currently operating with three of the four original members, Mark Stein, Vince Martell, and Carmine Appice with Pete Bremy on bass for Tim Bogert who has retired from touring. The band has been cited as “one of the few American links between psychedelia and what soon became heavy metal” Stein and Bogert played in a local band called Rick Martin & The Showmen. The pair were so impressed by the swinging sound and floods of organ of The Rascals they decided to form their own band with Martell and Rick Martin’s drummer, Joey Brennan. Originally calling themselves The Pigeons, they changed the name to Vanilla Fudge in 1966, after the replacement of Brennan by Appice. The group was then “discovered” and managed by reputed Lucchese crime family member Phillip Basile, who operated several popular clubs in New York. Led Zeppelin, then an emerging band, was the opening act on their American tour. Produced by Shadow Morton who the band met through the Rascals. Morton had a gift for melodramatic productions in the studio. The band’s biggest hit was its cover of “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”, a slowed-down, hard rocking version of a song originally recorded by The Supremes. This version featured Stein’s psychedelic-baroque organ intro and Appice’s energetic drumming. The members of Vanilla Fudge were great admirers of The Beatles, and covered several of their songs including “Ticket to Ride” and “Eleanor Rigby”. The self-titled debut album quotes “Strawberry Fields Forever” at the end, with the line “there’s nothing to get hung about”.

Pop/Rock
Hard Rock
Psychedelic/Garage
Acid Rock
Prog-Rock
blues-rock
heavy metal

Long Island, New York

1966–1970
1982–1984
1987–1988
1991
1999–present

Current members

Mark Stein – lead vocals, keyboards (1966-1970, 1982-1984, 2005, 2006-present)
Vince Martell – guitar, vocals (1966-1970, 1999-2003, 2004-present)
Carmine Appice – drums, vocals (1966-1970, 1982-1984, 1987-1988, 1991, 1999-2008, 2009–present)
Pete Bremy – bass, vocals (2002, 2008, 2011, 2011-present)

Former members

Tim Bogert – bass, vocals (1966-1970, 1982-1984, 1987-1988, 1999-2002, 2003-2008, 2009–2011)
Ron Mancuso – guitars (1982-1984)
Mark Dolfen – drums, vocals (1966-1970)
Paul Hanson – guitar, vocals (1987-1988)
Lanny Cordola – guitar, vocals (1988)
Derek St. Holmes – guitar, vocals (1991)
Bill Pascali – lead vocals, keyboards (1999-2005, 2005-2006)
T.M. Stevens – bass (2002)
Teddy Rondinelli – guitar, vocals (2003)
Jimmyjack Tamburo – drums, vocals (2008-2009)
Steve Argy – bass guitar, vocals (2008-2009)