Classic Rock Bottom

VOTW - CARMINE APPICE Special

Making these VOTW's, I've found out, that the most fun are making specials about drummers, because the very best of them usually comes a bit around. Carmine appice is certainly no exception. I could easily had posted more than 5 video's with different bands/artists (sadly, I couldn't find a "Cactus-video"). Personally, I first got acquainted with appice, when I bought a few Rod Stewart-albums around 1979. Around the same time, I discovered, that he also played on Paul Stanley's 1978-solo album (and he did a very, very fine job on "Take Me Away (Together As One)". He looked like a rock-drummer, and around that same time, Stewart was getting very Disco/pop, so it was of no surprise to me, when Appice formed the hairband King Cobra. I bought their first album, and did quite like it. But that was my taste back then! Later, I found out, that he had been in the business for a long time:

VANILLA FUDGE - YOU KEEP ME HANGING ON

Vanilla Fudge is an American rock band known predominantly for their extended rock renderings of contemporary hit songs, most notably "You Keep Me Hangin' On" . 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. 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.

BECK, BOGART & APPICE - SUPERSTETION

Beck, Bogert & Appice were a hard rock supergroup and power trio formed by guitarist Jeff Beck and evolving from The Jeff Beck Group. The line up included bassist Tim Bogert and drummer Carmine Appice who were both previously in Vanilla Fudge and Cactus. This is off course a Stevie wonder-cover.

ROD STEWART - YOUNG TURKS

Appice joined Rod Stewart's backing band in 1977, co-writing songs such as "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" and "Young Turks". "Young Turks" is a song by Rod Stewart that first appeared in 1981 on his album Tonight I'm Yours. The track showed Stewart with a new synthpop and new wave sound. The term Young Turk, which originates from the same-named secular nationalist reform party of the early 20th century, is slang for a rebellious youth who acts contrary to what is deemed normal by society. The phrase "Young Turks" is never heard in the actual song, the chorus instead centering on the phrase "young hearts be free tonight", leading to the song frequently being misidentified as "Young Hearts" or "Young Hearts Be Free".The music for the song was composed by Carmine Appice, Duane Hitchings, and Kevin Savigar, with lyrics written by Stewart.

KING COBRA - IRON EAGLE

King Kobra is a hard rock band founded by drummer Carmine Appice after his tenure with Ozzy Osbourne from 1983 to 1984. During the time of their first two albums, the band included four relatively unknown musicians: vocalist Mark Free, guitarist David Michael-Philips, guitarist Mick Sweda, and bassist Johnny Rod. After two albums on Capitol records—Ready to Strike (November 9, 1985) and Thrill of a Lifetime (1986)—and an independent release entitled King Kobra III in 1988, Appice decided to dissolve the band and join guitarist John Sykes on his Blue Murder project in 1989.

BLUE MURDER - BILLY

Blue Murder was formed by John Sykes in 1988. As he was partially responsible for the success of their multiplatinum-selling self-titled album, Whitesnake's label Geffen signed a record deal with Sykes following his dismissal from the band.In the nascent stages of the band, drummer Cozy Powell - with whom Sykes had played in Whitesnake - was attached to the project. Ray Gillen, who had previously sung for Black Sabbath and later for Badlands - not the same band Badlands (née John Sloman's Badlands) that Sykes once played in - sang for an early version of Blue Murder, and reportedly the band recorded demos with him.Upon comparing the original demos with Sykes singing to the demos with Ray Gillen on vocals, A&R executive John Kalodner encouraged Sykes to handle the vocal duties himself, though Tony Martin (who replaced Gillen in Black Sabbath) briefly worked with the band.Blue Murder released two studio albums: Blue Murder in 1989 and Nothin' but Trouble in 1993. A live album, Screaming Blue Murder was released in Japan only in 1994, but has since been released elsewhere via iTunes. Appice only played on the first album.

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Don't know much about Appice, though I've heard his name a million times.

Keep Me Hanging On - Man, that was a long time ago.  This version is okay, but the Supreme's version is better.  Appice is pretty active on the drums back there, and the other dudes are seriously overacting the vocals.  Funny to watch.

Superstition - Very heavy version of this song.  Obviously, much heavier than Wonder's version.  Appice is tearing it up again, as is Beck.  I don't think the vocals are very good, which is why I'd still take Wonder's version, but the riffing in this is pretty cool.

Young Turks - One of my favorite Rod Stewart songs.  Totally pop, but pop was awesome in 1981.  The great thing about these videos is seeing how goofy people were back then, although we didn't necessarily think that at the time.

Iron Eagle - I love how they did the video.  Lou Gossett Jr. was so cool.  This song is even more pop than the Rod Stewart songs.  The vocalist sounds like Jimi Jamison a bit.  The drums sound extremely electronic.  Of course, they can be electronic and still not be a drum machine.

Billy - Terrific song.  Sykes could really, really sing.  How 'bout those yellow pants on the bassist?  And the hair...wow, just wow!  But, like I said, great song.  This sounds amazingly heavy for a trio.

Song Ranking:

1. Young Turks

2. Billy

3. Superstition

4. Iron Eagle

5. Keep Me Hanging On

"Sykes could really, really sing."

Sykes voice was the reason, this band didn't get further. Bad decision to let him sing lead. The main reason why I only heard that album 2-3 times in 1989, and never again since.

Iron Eagle sounds exactly how it sounded like back then. Kind of still like the song. 

Love Syke's voice.

VANILLA FUDGE ... I've seen this before and its still weird to see this song so rocked up.  I guess they were still developing their stage presence because this is awkward to watch at times. Feels like the wrong song to rock up and the video proves that point I think.  Fun to watch though!


BECK, BOGART & APPICE ... Clearly the start of this band is Beck, but its interesting to see how the Motown/Soul music of the time influenced these guys.  This is two covers in a row. As much as I like this one, it doesn't really give me a sense of who they are other than a really good cover band with immensely talented players.


ROD STEWART ...  Some more interesting correlations to funk music ands cover tunes, as you correctly point out, that Appice co-wrote Stewarts disco smash, and we all know Stewart love for recording covers.  This album is actually pretty good though and I like this tune.


KING COBRA ... My best guess is this was written to capitalize on the success of Top Gun.  I think we are dispelling the rumor of Appice being a Heavy Rock drummer with this series of videos.  Definitely transports you back to the 80's


BLUE MURDER ... By far you saved the best for last.  Sykes' vocals are indeed decent. Wished this band could've capitalized on their debut success, but alas, it wasn't in the cards.


Great post my friend!

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