Vanilla Fudge Drummer Carmine Appice’s Unlikely Connection To Fred Astaire And Gregory Peck

Within the first two components of this interview sequence with drummer Carmine Appice, we mentioned his many sticks mates together with Ginger Baker, Keith Moon, John Bonham – the A-list guys. Appice’s tales are fascinating, actual rock historical past. Right here, we deviate a bit to the Hollywood large display. We talk about a musician, John Lennon, but in addition dancer Fred Astaire and actor Gregory Peck. Appice additionally tells us what he would love his legacy to be. Following are edited excerpts from an extended dialog.

Jim Conflict: Why did Vanilla Fudge cowl The Supremes’ large hit, “You Hold Me Hanging On?” 

Carmine Appice: Again then, they had been doing what we referred to as “manufacturing numbers” in New York, or slowed-down variations of hit songs. What we did was make a slowed-down model of that one, then match the music to the lyrics. “You Hold Me Hanging On” had “hurting lyrics,” all about relationships gone-bad. Anybody who’s been in a relationship gone-bad is aware of it’s emotionally hurting. When The Supremes did the track, the music was blissful and upbeat. However the lyrics weren’t. We modified that. After we later coated “Eleanor Rigby,” we additionally matched the story to the temper of the music – very eerie, churchy, non secular, in a demonic form of method. 

Conflict: You will have met and performed with some unbelievable individuals. Give me an anecdote or two out of your memoir, “Stick It!: My Life Of Intercourse, Drums, And Rock ‘N’ Roll.” 

Appice: When my brother Vinny was on the Report Plant doing hand-claps on “No matter Will get You By means of The Evening,” he grew to become mates with John Lennon. He stated to John after the session, “My mom makes nice Italian meals. Do you want Italian?” John stated, yeah, so Vinny had my mom make him some lasagna. Vinny gave it to him, and by no means heard something again. Effectively, I performed Madison Sq. Backyard with Rod Stewart a few months later, 5 nights in 1979. John was at one gig, and got here to the after-party, as did my mother and father. When my mother noticed John, she requested if he had favored her lasagna. He stated that he liked it, that it was scrumptious. So my mother checked out him and requested, “Can I please have my pan again?” Traditional story [laughs].

Right here’s one other one. I’ve a letter hanging in my studio, from Fred Astaire. I met Fred at our gig on the West Coast Discussion board. When Rod [Stewart] had gotten married, Allan Carr, producer of Grease, threw a celebration for Rod at Allan’s mansion in Beverly Hills. I’m on the occasion and see, out of the nook of my proper eye, someone strolling up, actual tall. It’s Gregory Peck! He grabbed my hand, stated he was Gregory. I stated, “I do know who you might be. My mom would die if she had been right here.” Anyway, we received to speaking and he stated that when Fred Astaire noticed me do my drum solo on the present, Fred stated that it was the most effective solo he’d seen since Gene Krupa. So I’m pondering, Fred Astaire stated that, and Gregory Peck is telling me about it. Wow, let me pinch myself. Then Greg informed me that Fred was a drummer, which I didn’t know, that Fred had all the time wished to play rock drums, however didn’t have a clue. I informed Greg that I had a ebook referred to as “Final Lifelike Rock Drum Methodology,” which teaches rock drumming. I stated I may get him one to offer to Fred. He stated that will be nice, and that subsequent time I used to be at Rod’s home – he lived subsequent door to Gregory – knock on his door and he’d give it to Fred. I stated, “Okay Greg [laughs].” So I signed the ebook, “Pricey Fred, I hope this helps you study to play rock drums. Love, Carmine Appice.” Two weeks later I get an envelope, rip it open – ruining it, after all. The letter inside says, “Thanks, Carmine Appice, for the stunning inscription. I’ve loved your work many occasions. You certain are terrific. Love, Fred Astaire.” I nearly fainted. Goes to point out you something can occur, even to a child from Brooklyn.

Conflict: What would you want your legacy to be?

Appice: That I used to be a drummer who tried to guide, and to strive new issues. I had large drums first – the ability tom-toms, the prolonged bass drum – which began the fad of massive drums by Ludwig. I had a wah-wah on my snare drum. I simply wish to be remembered as a man who was experimental, who helped deliver the drums out entrance, like my idol, Gene Krupa.