I was at the Clinic he was doing at Sam Ash in Paramus, N J. He had a bass player and guitarist and he was into for 15 or 20 minutes when John Bonham arrived in a limousine and just wandered in. Everyone was shocked, even Carmine Appice and his fellow musicians. Carmine got up from the drums and bowed to Bonham. Then offered the sticks to him and motioned for him to take the throne. Bonham declined and said he was here to see him. So, Bonham took a spot in the crowded SamAsh behind Appice and watched the whole clinic. It was an awesome night. Would have loved to see Bonham take the sticks and have at it, but Appice was great. I don't remember who the bassist and guitarist were, but it was a great jam session. Not bad for a free Drum clinic one memorable night in Paramus.
I was there too!!! I was immobilized I was so star struck.... I grew up in Leonia, NJ and the Sam Ash Paramus store was the only “real” music store on the Jersey side....this was 1975 I believe. 11 years later when I was that stores Drum Dept.Mgr., the “Boy Howdy” beer can that Bonham drank at the Appice Clinic was still there!!
We were there and he was allowing guests lucky enough to get in a chance to drum on a second kit set up in front of him. When Bonham showed up everyone jumped up on their chairs chanting " BONHAM BONHAM" John Bonham obviously respected Carmine and was his friend. This was at Sam Ash on route 4 east in Paramus. Thank you Carmine for your time and as if being in your audience was not cool enough talking to us in attendance but to have your friend the legend John Bonham take time to find you. If you remember you were told he was coming and you announced a special friend was in town ( New York) and was trying to find the location ( his green limo ended up at the front door)this was before gps. Haha. We had a great time that night and for three teenagers it will not be forgotten. Thank you again
Carmine Appice has always just been one cool dude! He's one of the most musical drummers in rock 'n' roll that I've ever seen and a hell of a showman. What a great, great story that was!
Bonzo pretty much says the exact same thing about meeting CA as he is saying here. So does JB's brother who wrote a biography. He's not lying about this.
I love Carmine not only because he's a legendary drummer, but also because he reminds me so strikingly of my late father-in-law, may he rest in peace. Both Italian, both Brooklyn-born, both as kind as they were talented in their respective trades (Carmine a musician, my father-in-law a chef and caterer).
"I remember calling Ludwig saying 'this new guy John Bonham, this group Led Zeppelin... I think they're gonna be big' " lol, what an understatement, what a great anecdote!
It's so great to be able to hear actual stories from the ppl there like Carmine talking about Bonham. If you are my age and went to HS in the early-mid 80s most ppl cut there hair and we had Reagan, new wave, bad hair rock except for Motley and a couple decent bands, and the 70s super groups were basically dead and taking a break. That said you had guys like me that didn't really get or like the new wave thing that were kids in the 70s in awe of the older long haired kids on the block but were too young so we missed the boat but made up for it by going to the song at the midnight movies, read hammer of the gods, bought CODA in 82' etc. Now it's all on utube for your viewing pleasure but back then any footage you could find on a vhs or whatever was gold. Even as recently as when How The West Was Won came out around 2000 I bought it and my jaw fkn dropped when Zep entered that 1970 arena and busted into Were Gonna Grove. I got goose bumps just now just thinking back to that moment! Zeppelin just has something from beyond! Sorry I know this post is a bit scattered.
The Young Rascals were a BIG influence on VF. They had a drummer named Dino Danelli. Lot of similarities between these guys. Loved watching them all play in the Village at one time or another. Hendrix too. The good old days of Rock and Roll.
Great interview - nice to see such respect and love from a fellow drummer. I also like how Carmine modestly acknowledges his influence on Bonham without over claiming it. Class.
What Carmine says here is the truth. I saw VF after they released their first album in 1967 at the Fillmore in NYC. Carmine set himself apart from all drummers I had heard and seen previously. He brought in heavy metal drumming. He was heavy and funky with a dash of showmanship. I saw LZ on their first tour of the US open for the VF in early 69'. John Bonham was influenced by Carmine. From the sound of his drums to some of the licks he was playing you could see and hear it. That does not take anything away from Bonham. He was a great drummer in that style of music but Carmine started that style of heavy metal drumming.
Tom Mendola You are 100% corect. I was at the VF June of 67 show and also in March of 68. In January of 69 I went to see Iron Butterfly who was the headliner and LZ was on before IB and blew them away. People wanted more LZ. Up until then I don't remember ever hearing of LZ but knew of Jimmy Page. I was very familar with VF, having seen them at other venues during that time period. I remember listening and watching Bonham at that show and saying to myself how he and Appice had similar styles of playing. I did not know at the time that they had toured together. Both have their own unique signature. Louie bellson was inspired by Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich but all three had their own signature. LZ fans should listen to the drum intro on Keep a Knockin by Little Richard with Charles Connor on drums and then listen to the intro to Rock and Roll by LZ. Did Bonham copy ? I would say he was inspired by the drum intro and was saying thank you to Charles Connor just like he did to Carmine Appice.
K Harris The song Carmine is referring regarding the bass drum sextuplet fill is "Good Times, Bad Times". Carmine did that fill on the bass drum in "You Keep Me Hanging On". John copied it and does it in "Good Times Bad Times".
@Soon Over Babaluma - I saw VF on Thanksgiving Day ‘68 in Houston where an unknown Three Dog Night opened. Sure wish it had been Led Zeppelin - a band I wouldn’t see until Aug ‘71.
John Bonham, Ginger Baker, Neil Peart, Keith Moon and of course Carmine Appice have all contributed with many other names to rock and thank God they are all different so we can enjoy a universe of different sounds all connected to one time.
+stratman 45 You give John Bonham too much credit. there are literally scores of drummers better than John Bonham. but I would expect someone with the name stratman to know anything about drumming
I love this post!!!! because he is a musician giving props to another musician ( a brother in this crazy thing we call music) I love laid back guys that are honest and tell the youth what its about!!!
Im 57 and a drummer and Carmin was the man to me before I heard Zep.Carmin and John are two of my favorites justs as Ginger Baker,Keith Moon and a host of others who layed down the drum trak for my life,great days to grow up in.
When Carmine hit with the Fudge in '67 there was nobody like him - WOW! There were Ginger with Cream and Mitch with Hendrix, but they were jazz drummers playing blues-influenced rock and funk respectively. But Carmine opted to keep his jazz chops in his pocket and take the fatback groove of Bernard Purdie and pump that up with rudimental technique, big drums and a lot of attitude. Bonham (like Sabbath's Bill Ward) was also a huge Purdie fan, thus the connect). I know Carmine - he's a great guy.
I first met Carmine backstage at an Irvine Aerosmith/G&R concert in '88, where we joked about our high-end hearing loss, and and about 10 years ago at his place a few miles away (mutual friend deal), and guess who was buying jam next to where I was grabbing a loaf of bread at my local grocery store, yesterday? Still a great guy, killer drummer, and a big reason why I started my first band in '68.
I saw Led Zeppelin as a warm up band for Vanilla Fudge in the December of 1968. The next summer I saw the again; Vanilla Fudge warmed up for Led Zeppelin. A combination of the who bands played Shotgun. Best concert ever.
Triplets are a Jazz thang...he got an idea from Carmine and improved upon it 100 fold. Love Carmine but he wants to make sure everyone knows his Influence. He pioneered heavy drumming no doubt.
Mitch was great. Elvin Jones had a big influence on is playing (triplets and power). Rock drumming was started by Tony Williams when he was playing with Miles Davis as early as 1963-64. He was a huge influence on John Bonham and many others. He was 17 years old when he started to play with Miles Davis and was very different than any other drummer before him. I just met Carmine a few weeks ago in Frankfurt, Germany and he is a really great person and musician as well. We talked about this. :-)
I recall having seen Carmine at a major 'all-star' drum-clinic lineup (comprising many other drummer notables within the industry) held in Toronto [sometime] in the fall of '91 - a fantastic show nonetheless, but it was Carmine who impressed upon me the most; I didn't realize (at the time) he was in fact that [bloody!] good, demonstrating all kinds of complex patterns, odd-time stuff, and of course, all entertainingly told through his usual rock-and-roll [inside] anecdotes about anything and everything of his [humorously-tainted] past exploits ... A very informative session with a legendary - and all-influential - original 'beat-master'-of-a-man whom I [now] consider the real giant of rock drumming (sorry, RIP Peart); may his legacy live on beyond what any modern drum machine may attempt to usurp upon his time-inspired soul. Thanks for posting!
I was at the clinic when Bonham showed up. It was at Sam Ash in Paramus, NJ. One of the employees handed Carmine a note saying John Bonham was in the back, When he emerged & Carmine introduced him, everyone in the place stood up. Bonham stayed in view all of 5 seconds because he knew the crowd would never settle down if he hung out. Things were very different then. You rarely got to see a rock star up close, so it was a big deal. This was 1975 & Zeppelin was HUGE!
Through the years talking with many drummers the majority agreed that Carmine Appice would have been the best replacement choice for the late Keith Moon. Appice had the heaviness. Listen to his work with Vanilla Fudge -- he has that approach, aggressiveness that would have been perfect for The Who. I can hear Carmine's influence on John Bonham. But, Bonham added his personality to it. Carmine is no light weight in the rock drummer area. He could probably hold his own with any rock drummer. The arguments about what drummer is best actually comes down to a style you prefer. Buddy Rich is better than Gene Krupa? Technically maybe. But, Buddy never created as many creative, rudimentary, innovative approaches to the drums as Krupa did. Krupa was also much more of a drum showman the way Keith Moon later became. Hell, the drum solos in "Toad" by Cream, and "In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly are basically Gene Krupa take-offs....not rip-offs, take-offs. Those drummers did a fine job keeping that Krupa style fresh. Buddy Rich has speed, finesse & accuracy but I still nod my head toward Gene for creating many melodic drum attacks. Same as the 1920's drummer Chick Webb who was astonishing on "Liza" for his time and physical size (he was hunchbacked, but that didn't stop him from being a great traps player). I also like drummers Ginger Baker and B J Wilson (Procol Harum). Neil Pert -- is an excellent percussionist but it leaves me a little cold. Too technical. Same for Carl Palmer -- he lost the magic King Crimson's original drummer Mike Giles had. Giles was the first of the progressive drummers (Phil Collins, Palmer & Pert etc...all from the same school-style). I still think the greatest progressive rock drumming is Giles' "21st Century Schizoid Man," on the first King Crimson LP. Even the great drummer Bill Bruford never played it as intense. Bottom-line? These are all great drummers who managed to spill some of their personalities down through their sticks.
Very well written. I agree with every word. Also, if you want to hear what Carmine can do outside of Vanilla Fudge check out the song "Evil" with the band Cactus. Also, the song "What's Your Name" by Three Man Army....the only track he plays on from the American release of the A Third Of A Lifetime LP.
Ian Paice. He is actually the only consistent member of Deep Purple (so he was in all versions of Deep Purple). Check out Clive Bunker and his replacement Barrie Barlow from Jethro Tull. Both amazing drummers! I think Bonham called Barlow "the best drummer Britain ever produced." Tony Newman and Mickey Waller from The Jeff Beck Group, Mitch Mitchell (who played with Hendrix), and of course Billy Cobham.
Carmine Appice used 2 bass drums to achieve that famous triplet lick. Bonzo never knew Appice used 2 bass drums when he heard it. Thinking Appice did it with just one foot and bass drum, Bonzo tried to emulate it. Instead of "emulating" Carmine he instead did what no one else had done before a triplet with just one drum and his right foot of thunder.
No, he used his right foot to do the triplet which is why it intrigued Bonham. Carmine has frequently demonstrated his bass drum triplets using one drum.
Carmine is freaking amazing. Seems to have never aged. Has always been the benchmark (IMO) for heavy and flashy. And to top it off, has this Amazing singing voice. Sings the lead on People Get Ready and it was Incredible. He is timeless and legendary.
Remember - Bonham allegedly only said that Carmine has influenced him to do triplets. Appice has admitted that Bonham stated he had gotten the triplets from Carmine. Not that Carmine had taught him everything. Carmine did not do a "triplet on the bass drum alone at all" - he did a combo of snare & bass drum triplet only !
Exactly! If you want to see a complete asshole and someone slag off other drummers, go check out Ginger Baker. He makes himself better than Keith Moon and John Bonham--something Carmine would never do, and if he did, he would probably confront Baker and defend Bonzo, as he was like an older brother to him
stratman 45 that's what you'll remember of him because you are an ignorant. Rock aficionados do their homework and knows who Vanilla Fudge were and how they influenced Deep Purple in the beginning. It's just an example... because of course it wasn't Vanilla Fudge only, but also Cactus and so on. Carmine Appice is one of the milestones in rock History, jackass, If you don't know that it's your fault being so ignorant
Carmine Appice is such a legend down to earth cool guy. Can't believe any one would call him egostical lol. Any way I love John Bonham and I can hear Carmines style all over his playing. His brother Vinnie Appice also is a great player!
Carmine what can I say...I loved the Blue murder album. It’s amazing how he speaks so highly of JB. I feel CA never really got the full glory of his awesome skill and talent. He is amazing!!! I’m blown away I am in orgasmic trance just listening to these 2 gods on the drums.
He always gets his props from the people I respect the most, those being the hard rock pioneers like Jeff Beck, Tony Iommi , John Bonham , Steve Marriott . They all knew Carmine is top notch
Wow that's a crazy story. When I was taking drums lessons in the early 70s, one of the first books my teacher had me take lessons from was Carmen Appice's Rock Around the Drums. Wish I still had that book :(.
I've been a drummer for 36 years, I think many drummers are in the right place at the right time, and they make it. Then you have guys that are simply set apart from everyone else, and it shows in all that they play. In not specific order John Bonham, Neil Peart, Jeff Porcarro, Vinnie Coliuta, Simon Phillips, Dave Weckl, Phil Collins,Buddy Rich, to name a few These guys have shaped the music world. History and a drummers resume speak for itself...... all have contributed, but few have stood the test of time ,,Bonham is clearly a stand alone talent.
Petar Froggpond I'm actually 36 years old, so I would imagine you must have started drumming in 1979 which is obviously the year I was born. Am I right? ~Dutch
+Petar Froggpond Come on ,he doesn't have the chops the other guys do. His band was just a global monster. His fame exceeded his ability. He was very good. Collins, in his prime, could drum circles around Bonham. I'm a drummer as well. Love all these guys but Bonham's claim to fame is his feel and sound. Not his chops. Hey, that's enough anyway. What a short, but brilliant career. Not dis'in him in any way. HUge fan of Bonham.
+Cindi Kaup Loved how Vanilla Fudge paid half their first night's fee of $1,500 on the tour. Later on Led Zeppelin would be filling stadiums, but they had to start out like every other band and build a following.
I've never heard Carmine say "I take credit for bringing you John Bonham". He's merely sharing his experiences with the guy and most of it is well documented. If it wasn't for the stupidity and hostility that constantly runs thru your minds your heads would be totally empty.
Yeah, it's weird how this one tiny thing has been blown into people claiming Appice said he taught Bonham. This video clearly shows he never made ANY such claim.
The show Carmine is talking about was Zeppelin's first ever US show at the Denver Coliseum. The promoter was the legendary Barry Fey and he arrange for Vanilla Fudge to pay $750 and Fey put up the other $750.
Nice talk - My ex-wife (Maria) talked to John on Blackpool pier (UK) at a Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker and Gary Moore Gig in 89, i was talking to his mate and mine John Sykes. Good memories. Wonderfull man my you drum for many years to come.
My band played with you guys at the Bastille in Narragansett RI....you were rehearsing "Set me free". You guys kept doing the intro over and over again and I walked up and asked you guys if that was a "Supreme's song". This had to be 65 or 66?...not sure. You guys were kids like me at the time. I wonder if you would remember that.
@ashenhooves Carmine acknowledged not remembering doing it. Carmine doesn't need to make it up as he's one of the most connected guys in the industry. He was an ambassador for Ludwig since 67 I think. I can state that Carmine was one of biggest name drummers in the late 60's. He was influential. Don't forget, Beck chose Carmine over Cozy!
Met him several times and yes he has an ego as big is the Empire state building but he is a wonderful classic rock/ hard rock drummer and is a Pioneer in the genre. Rod Stewart was quoted saying "beware of a drummer who puts his name on his bass drum head". It's a shame because hes been fired from most of the great bands he was in.
Haha, that's so true! I'm trying to think of other drummers in bands that had that? I know Steve Gadd had Gadd Gang but that was the name of the band. Lol, oh Carmine. It seems to be everyone else's fault and he's the victim. Legendary drummer that had so much flash for the time period it was crazy. He looked awesome for the time period. I can even play that Realistic Rock first 12 bar exercise from memory. But as an adult, watching many interviews back to back, I'm starting to see a pattern. And Nathan, I think the Rod Stewart quote might have a lot to do with it.
That is the glory of Peter Grant. I'm sure they shook that $750 from out of their pockets while being hung upside down off a balcony LOL (I'm taking liberties with the story heh heh)
Camine is a great drummer, I love his sound and playing with Rod Stewart. He made those triplets popular and the big drum sound, Bonham took it to the next level and beyond.
It's interesting how people forensically try to break-down Bonham's sound, but it's so natural, it's like trying to describe sweeping leaves on a windy day - it's like trying to describe the note in a jazz riff. Somehow it works. But, as this interview demonstrates, others did it before, but I guess Bonham became known for it.
Funny how things go,,I had a beer with Carmine at Bobby's Hideaway,,off Highway 41 edger Winter,,rented my gear for the show,,He just got His new Maple Drums painted,,,
For everyone talking shot about Appice on here, Bono talked all the time about how great Appice was and how much he learned from him. Carmine isn't making this up.
+Matt Garvey Agreed. Every artist builds on those who worked before them. They learn and then add to it to create something new. Appice was influenced by other drummers and talks about who he learned from along the way. A great artist is also a great student.
So true! I play guitar/bass/sing/harp/write songs. I'm a hobbyist in music but I take it very seriously. I'm looking for a drummer close by to me so I can start a band. A competent bass player would be swell also.
I was at the Clinic he was doing at Sam Ash in Paramus, N J. He had a bass player and guitarist and he was into for 15 or 20 minutes when John Bonham arrived in a limousine and just wandered in. Everyone was shocked, even Carmine Appice and his fellow musicians. Carmine got up from the drums and bowed to Bonham. Then offered the sticks to him and motioned for him to take the throne. Bonham declined and said he was here to see him. So, Bonham took a spot in the crowded SamAsh behind Appice and watched the whole clinic. It was an awesome night. Would have loved to see Bonham take the sticks and have at it, but Appice was great. I don't remember who the bassist and guitarist were, but it was a great jam session. Not bad for a free Drum clinic one memorable night in Paramus.
What year was that? Was John the only one drinking?
I was there too!!! I was immobilized I was so star struck.... I grew up in Leonia, NJ and the Sam Ash Paramus store was the only “real” music store on the Jersey side....this was 1975 I believe. 11 years later when I was that stores Drum Dept.Mgr., the “Boy Howdy” beer can that Bonham drank at the Appice Clinic was still there!!
@@DOG92594 Great Rock & Roll stories, thanks for sharing guys !
God Bless
Real musicians are always learning. I’ve always appreciated the humility of these great musicians.
We were there and he was allowing guests lucky enough to get in a chance to drum on a second kit set up in front of him. When Bonham showed up everyone jumped up on their chairs chanting " BONHAM BONHAM" John Bonham obviously respected Carmine and was his friend. This was at Sam Ash on route 4 east in Paramus. Thank you Carmine for your time and as if being in your audience was not cool enough talking to us in attendance but to have your friend the legend John Bonham take time to find you. If you remember you were told he was coming and you announced a special friend was in town ( New York) and was trying to find the location ( his green limo ended up at the front door)this was before gps. Haha. We had a great time that night and for three teenagers it will not be forgotten. Thank you again
Damn......Never knew this - Frequented Rt. 4 SA many times - sad that day we drove past and it was shuttered and dark
Carmine Appice has always just been one cool dude! He's one of the most musical drummers in rock 'n' roll that I've ever seen and a hell of a showman. What a great, great story that was!
I played with Carmine at a Percusdion Symposium in Knoxville U.T music Building in 1981.
Chuck Webb Awesome!
Shame he’s a bullshitter.
He dishes out What REALLY HAPPENS 💥👍⭐️🤙
Bonzo pretty much says the exact same thing about meeting CA as he is saying here. So does JB's brother who wrote a biography. He's not lying about this.
They say greats in any field learn from other greats . Carmen Appice and John Bonham , two of rock's greatest drummers .
Yes...Carmen is one hell of a drummer...also, his brother Vinneea can also play well
THIS IS WHAT I CHERISH ABOUT DRUMMERS- WE ARE SUPPORTIVE OF ONE ANOTHER- TRUE BROTHERS. AMEN
Tell that to Pete Best ! lol
Tell that to Ginger Baker too
I love Carmine not only because he's a legendary drummer, but also because he reminds me so strikingly of my late father-in-law, may he rest in peace. Both Italian, both Brooklyn-born, both as kind as they were talented in their respective trades (Carmine a musician, my father-in-law a chef and caterer).
Totally getcha. He's always reminded me of my Uncle Mikey. We were on the Jersey side.
This has got to be one of the coolest rock 'n' roll stories on the net! Much respect to both...
Carmen Appice is one of the greats. Period.
Craig Cochran straight up LEGEND
thank you for sharing and congrats for Carmine for being around and doing so well
"I remember calling Ludwig saying 'this new guy John Bonham, this group Led Zeppelin... I think they're gonna be big' " lol, what an understatement, what a great anecdote!
It's so great to be able to hear actual stories from the ppl there like Carmine talking about Bonham. If you are my age and went to HS in the early-mid 80s most ppl cut there hair and we had Reagan, new wave, bad hair rock except for Motley and a couple decent bands, and the 70s super groups were basically dead and taking a break. That said you had guys like me that didn't really get or like the new wave thing that were kids in the 70s in awe of the older long haired kids on the block but were too young so we missed the boat but made up for it by going to the song at the midnight movies, read hammer of the gods, bought CODA in 82' etc. Now it's all on utube for your viewing pleasure but back then any footage you could find on a vhs or whatever was gold. Even as recently as when How The West Was Won came out around 2000 I bought it and my jaw fkn dropped when Zep entered that 1970 arena and busted into Were Gonna Grove. I got goose bumps just now just thinking back to that moment! Zeppelin just has something from beyond! Sorry I know this post is a bit scattered.
He still has "the" beer bottle John drank out of that night. Wonder what happened to the other 47.
Funny your thumbs up are 47 as well.So I didn't want to hit like and mess that up..👍
I got one of Carmine's drum sticks when I seen king cobra at Harpo's in Detroit in 85 .
The Young Rascals were a BIG influence on VF. They had a drummer named Dino Danelli. Lot of similarities between these guys. Loved watching them all play in the Village at one time or another. Hendrix too. The good old days of Rock and Roll.
Great interview - nice to see such respect and love from a fellow drummer. I also like how Carmine modestly acknowledges his influence on Bonham without over claiming it. Class.
What Carmine says here is the truth. I saw VF after they released their first album in 1967 at the Fillmore in NYC. Carmine set himself apart from all drummers I had heard and seen previously. He brought in heavy metal drumming. He was heavy and funky with a dash of showmanship. I saw LZ on their first tour of the US open for the VF in early 69'. John Bonham was influenced by Carmine. From the sound of his drums to some of the licks he was playing you could see and hear it. That does not take anything away from Bonham. He was a great drummer in that style of music but Carmine started that style of heavy metal drumming.
Tom Mendola You are 100% corect. I was at the VF June of 67 show and also in March of 68. In January of 69 I went to see Iron Butterfly who was the headliner and LZ was on before IB and blew them away. People wanted more LZ. Up until then I don't remember ever hearing of LZ but knew of Jimmy Page. I was very familar with VF, having seen them at other venues during that time period. I remember listening and watching Bonham at that show and saying to myself how he and Appice had similar styles of playing. I did not know at the time that they had toured together. Both have their own unique signature. Louie bellson was inspired by Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich but all three had their own signature. LZ fans should listen to the drum intro on Keep a Knockin by Little Richard with Charles Connor on drums and then listen to the intro to Rock and Roll by LZ. Did Bonham copy ? I would say he was inspired by the drum intro and was saying thank you to Charles Connor just like he did to Carmine Appice.
K Harris we had the good fortune to see those shows and witness a monumental change in music during that era.
K Harris I failed to mention that all of the shows were at the Fillmore East and I am correcting my spelling of correct.
K Harris The song Carmine is referring regarding the bass drum sextuplet fill is "Good Times, Bad Times". Carmine did that fill on the bass drum in "You Keep Me Hanging On". John copied it and does it in "Good Times Bad Times".
+Tom Mendola even though it's the truth, he comes across like a bitter man. I think his ego kept him from ever having huge band success.
Led Zeppelin opened for Vanilla Fudge on December 27, 1968 at Seattle Center Arena, Seattle; and next day at Pasific Coliseum, Vancouver.
Wasn't Taj Mahal part of those shows too?
@Soon Over Babaluma - I saw VF on Thanksgiving Day ‘68 in Houston where an unknown Three Dog Night opened. Sure wish it had been Led Zeppelin - a band I wouldn’t see until Aug ‘71.
Carmine my buddy a pioneer and great inspiration thanks for sharing!
I was 19 at the time and a crazy drummer in 74. I wished I could afford his lessons. A great teacher. Just an excellent player.
Respect to Carmine...this man influenced both John Bonham and Ian Paice, these three are among the greatest rock drummers ever to sit behind a kit.
John Bonham, Ginger Baker, Neil Peart, Keith Moon and of course Carmine Appice have all contributed with many other names to rock and thank God they are all different so we can enjoy a universe of different sounds all connected to one time.
carmine is a class act, and a great drummer, obviously. love this story.
This is some serious praise from an amazing drummer.
Carmine was there nobody else posting here was ,thanks Mr Appice
+beatvampire but he gives himself too much credit!
+stratman 45...... Oh yeah that is true ,he does'nt mind giving himself a little rub up
maybe he feels underappreciated but I hate the way he toots his own horn! Give your brother and Bonham credit.
+stratman 45 You give John Bonham too much credit. there are literally scores of drummers better than John Bonham. but I would expect someone with the name stratman to know anything about drumming
I was a drummer all my life but became very interested in blues guitar playing. When a guy has to toot his own horn...he comes across as bitter !
Carmine is awesome. My friend Pete Bremy played bass with The Fudge when Tim was ill a few years ago.
I love this post!!!! because he is a musician giving props to another musician ( a brother in this crazy thing we call music) I love laid back guys that are honest and tell the youth what its about!!!
Great video from a legend about a legend. Thanks for posting.
Im 57 and a drummer and Carmin was the man to me before I heard Zep.Carmin and John are two of my favorites justs as Ginger Baker,Keith Moon and a host of others who layed down the drum trak for my life,great days to grow up in.
long Island legendary percussionist Carmine Appice !
When Carmine hit with the Fudge in '67 there was nobody like him - WOW! There were Ginger with Cream and Mitch with Hendrix, but they were jazz drummers playing blues-influenced rock and funk respectively. But Carmine opted to keep his jazz chops in his pocket and take the fatback groove of Bernard Purdie and pump that up with rudimental technique, big drums and a lot of attitude. Bonham (like Sabbath's Bill Ward) was also a huge Purdie fan, thus the connect). I know Carmine - he's a great guy.
I first met Carmine backstage at an Irvine Aerosmith/G&R concert in '88, where we joked about our high-end hearing loss, and and about 10 years ago at his place a few miles away (mutual friend deal), and guess who was buying jam next to where I was grabbing a loaf of bread at my local grocery store, yesterday? Still a great guy, killer drummer, and a big reason why I started my first band in '68.
I saw Led Zeppelin as a warm up band for Vanilla Fudge in the December of 1968. The next summer I saw the again; Vanilla Fudge warmed up for Led Zeppelin. A combination of the who bands played Shotgun. Best concert ever.
Went to a Carmine Appice drum clinic in 85. The guy I went with went to one in 1970!
Carmine influenced many great drummers....... pure legend
Triplets are a Jazz thang...he got an idea from Carmine and improved upon it 100 fold. Love Carmine but he wants to make sure everyone knows his Influence. He pioneered heavy drumming no doubt.
Mitch was great. Elvin Jones had a big influence on is playing (triplets and power). Rock drumming was started by Tony Williams when he was playing with Miles Davis as early as 1963-64. He was a huge influence on John Bonham and many others. He was 17 years old when he started to play with Miles Davis and was very different than any other drummer before him. I just met Carmine a few weeks ago in Frankfurt, Germany and he is a really great person and musician as well. We talked about this. :-)
I recall having seen Carmine at a major 'all-star' drum-clinic lineup (comprising many other drummer notables within the industry) held in Toronto [sometime] in the fall of '91 - a fantastic show nonetheless, but it was Carmine who impressed upon me the most; I didn't realize (at the time) he was in fact that [bloody!] good, demonstrating all kinds of complex patterns, odd-time stuff, and of course, all entertainingly told through his usual rock-and-roll [inside] anecdotes about anything and everything of his [humorously-tainted] past exploits ... A very informative session with a legendary - and all-influential - original 'beat-master'-of-a-man whom I [now] consider the real giant of rock drumming (sorry, RIP Peart); may his legacy live on beyond what any modern drum machine may attempt to usurp upon his time-inspired soul.
Thanks for posting!
Carmine and his brother Vinny are two of my favorite drummers and there from my old neighborhood.
Met Carman when I was a stagehand. He and John Sykes were incredibly nice.
I was a kid in high school when Carmine Appice did a drum clinic in Dew Music, in Monroe, LA. Changed my life.
Touching AND informative! Thanks so much. Love you both!
Ah Carmine I met you in at Just drums during a private clinic you gave back in 2000. Thanks for your inspiration your a great guy.
I'm pretty sure John assembled his kits like Carmine after touring with him.the energy of these two was incredible. They both brought it hard.
I was at the clinic when Bonham showed up. It was at Sam Ash in Paramus, NJ. One of the employees handed Carmine a note saying John Bonham was in the back, When he emerged & Carmine introduced him, everyone in the place stood up. Bonham stayed in view all of 5 seconds because he knew the crowd would never settle down if he hung out. Things were very different then. You rarely got to see a rock star up close, so it was a big deal. This was 1975 & Zeppelin was HUGE!
Saw them in '69 with Zeppelin at the Terrace in SLC. Amazing concert. Never heard of Zeppelin before then. Great to hear Carmine talk about it.
Through the years talking with many drummers the majority agreed that Carmine Appice would have been the best replacement choice for the late Keith Moon. Appice had the heaviness. Listen to his work with Vanilla Fudge -- he has that approach, aggressiveness that would have been perfect for The Who. I can hear Carmine's influence on John Bonham. But, Bonham added his personality to it. Carmine is no light weight in the rock drummer area. He could probably hold his own with any rock drummer. The arguments about what drummer is best actually comes down to a style you prefer. Buddy Rich is better than Gene Krupa? Technically maybe. But, Buddy never created as many creative, rudimentary, innovative approaches to the drums as Krupa did. Krupa was also much more of a drum showman the way Keith Moon later became. Hell, the drum solos in "Toad" by Cream, and "In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly are basically Gene Krupa take-offs....not rip-offs, take-offs. Those drummers did a fine job keeping that Krupa style fresh. Buddy Rich has speed, finesse & accuracy but I still nod my head toward Gene for creating many melodic drum attacks. Same as the 1920's drummer Chick Webb who was astonishing on "Liza" for his time and physical size (he was hunchbacked, but that didn't stop him from being a great traps player). I also like drummers Ginger Baker and B J Wilson (Procol Harum). Neil Pert -- is an excellent percussionist but it leaves me a little cold. Too technical. Same for Carl Palmer -- he lost the magic King Crimson's original drummer Mike Giles had. Giles was the first of the progressive drummers (Phil Collins, Palmer & Pert etc...all from the same school-style). I still think the greatest progressive rock drumming is Giles' "21st Century Schizoid Man," on the first King Crimson LP. Even the great drummer Bill Bruford never played it as intense. Bottom-line? These are all great drummers who managed to spill some of their personalities down through their sticks.
Very well written. I agree with every word. Also, if you want to hear what Carmine can do outside of Vanilla Fudge check out the song "Evil" with the band Cactus. Also, the song "What's Your Name" by Three Man Army....the only track he plays on from the American release of the A Third Of A Lifetime LP.
John LaStrada what are your thoughts on nick mason...i loves his drumming especially on live in pompeii
Loved
Ian Paice. He is actually the only consistent member of Deep Purple (so he was in all versions of Deep Purple).
Check out Clive Bunker and his replacement Barrie Barlow from Jethro Tull. Both amazing drummers! I think Bonham called Barlow "the best drummer Britain ever produced."
Tony Newman and Mickey Waller from The Jeff Beck Group, Mitch Mitchell (who played with Hendrix), and of course Billy Cobham.
I agree on your opinions about Neil Peart.There is such a thing as being too good.
Carmine is fab and he has so many great stories. Thank you
Loving hearing a great talking about another great!!
Carmine Appice used 2 bass drums to achieve that famous triplet lick. Bonzo never knew Appice used 2 bass drums when he heard it. Thinking Appice did it with just one foot and bass drum, Bonzo tried to emulate it. Instead of "emulating" Carmine he instead did what no one else had done before a triplet with just one drum and his right foot of thunder.
No, he used his right foot to do the triplet which is why it intrigued Bonham. Carmine has frequently demonstrated his bass drum triplets using one drum.
Carmine is freaking amazing. Seems to have never aged. Has always been the benchmark (IMO) for heavy and flashy. And to top it off, has this Amazing singing voice. Sings the lead on People Get Ready and it was Incredible. He is timeless and legendary.
Remember - Bonham allegedly only said that Carmine has influenced him to do triplets. Appice has admitted that Bonham stated he had gotten the triplets from Carmine. Not that Carmine had taught him everything. Carmine did not do a "triplet on the bass drum alone at all" - he did a combo of snare & bass drum triplet only !
PS: thnx for uploading this vid, excellent interview!
He is saying some really nice things.......I just don't get these "he needs some humility" comments.
nareshgb1 Sour Grapes by commenters who hear what they want to hear and trash the messenger.
Exactly! If you want to see a complete asshole and someone slag off other drummers, go check out Ginger Baker. He makes himself better than Keith Moon and John Bonham--something Carmine would never do, and if he did, he would probably confront Baker and defend Bonzo, as he was like an older brother to him
I know what you mean. Carmine is a good guy. And, a great drummer.
Carmine is a bad ass drummer… He has a great drum method book….
+T H and that's what he'll be remembered for!
I think the cat is awesome...
stratman 45 that's what you'll remember of him because you are an ignorant.
Rock aficionados do their homework and knows who Vanilla Fudge were and how they influenced Deep Purple in the beginning.
It's just an example... because of course it wasn't Vanilla Fudge only, but also Cactus and so on.
Carmine Appice is one of the milestones in rock History, jackass, If you don't know that it's your fault being so ignorant
T H GOT TO MEET CARMINE in '80' GREAT DUDE & GREATER DRUMMER!!! his brother VINNIE AINT NO SLOUCH EITHER.
Viejotrueno Why are you so mean, though? What's up man?
Carmine Appice is such a legend down to earth cool guy. Can't believe any one would call him egostical lol.
Any way I love John Bonham and I can hear Carmines style all over his playing. His brother Vinnie Appice also is a great player!
Carmine what can I say...I loved the Blue murder album. It’s amazing how he speaks so highly of JB. I feel CA never really got the full glory of his awesome skill and talent. He is amazing!!! I’m blown away I am in orgasmic trance just listening to these 2 gods on the drums.
He always gets his props from the people I respect the most, those being the hard rock pioneers like Jeff Beck, Tony Iommi , John Bonham , Steve Marriott . They all knew Carmine is top notch
Keep it in your pants, buddy.
Wow that's a crazy story. When I was taking drums lessons in the early 70s, one of the first books my teacher had me take lessons from was Carmen Appice's Rock Around the Drums. Wish I still had that book :(.
Great interview...Thanks...!
Wow! Great story! Thanks for posting this.
I've been a drummer for 36 years, I think many drummers are in the right place at the right time, and they make it. Then you have guys that are simply set apart from everyone else, and it shows in all that they play. In not specific order
John Bonham, Neil Peart, Jeff Porcarro, Vinnie Coliuta, Simon Phillips, Dave Weckl, Phil Collins,Buddy Rich, to name a few These guys have shaped the music world. History and a drummers resume speak for itself...... all have contributed, but few have stood the test of time ,,Bonham is clearly a stand alone talent.
been a drummer same amount of yrs as u brother and couldnt agree more.
Petar Froggpond Another often overlooked early and excellent drummer of the 1960s was Dino Danelli of the Young Rascals.
Petar Froggpond I'm actually 36 years old, so I would imagine you must have started drumming in 1979 which is obviously the year I was born. Am I right?
~Dutch
+YouCantHoldOnTooLong no genius he started in 76 and skipped 3 years plus he started on Dec 31 so now what?
+Petar Froggpond Come on ,he doesn't have the chops the other guys do. His band was just a global monster.
His fame exceeded his ability. He was very good. Collins, in his prime, could drum circles around Bonham. I'm a drummer as well. Love all these guys but Bonham's claim to fame is his feel and sound. Not his chops. Hey, that's enough anyway. What a short, but brilliant career. Not dis'in him in any way. HUge fan of Bonham.
Vanilla Fudge were insane, one of the very best groups ever.
Loved this one! Appice and Bonzo - legends...
"I think they're going to be big...' Love it!
+Cindi Kaup Loved how Vanilla Fudge paid half their first night's fee of $1,500 on the tour. Later on Led Zeppelin would be filling stadiums, but they had to start out like every other band and build a following.
RIP legend John Bonham
R.IP. GINGER.too
Carmine is the president of his own fan club.
I've never heard Carmine say "I take credit for bringing you John Bonham". He's merely sharing his experiences with the guy and most of it is well documented. If it wasn't for the stupidity and hostility that constantly runs thru your minds your heads would be totally empty.
Yeah, it's weird how this one tiny thing has been blown into people claiming Appice said he taught Bonham. This video clearly shows he never made ANY such claim.
Wow that was a fantastic, what a great little blurb about Bonzo.
I loved Carmine’s work with the Village People. The handlebar mustache and the black leather really suited him….
That was very cool. Met Carmine in 1990. Very cool dude. Somewhere I have signed sticks from him. He was playing with Edgar Winter I believe.
The show Carmine is talking about was Zeppelin's first ever US show at the Denver Coliseum. The promoter was the legendary Barry Fey and he arrange for Vanilla Fudge to pay $750 and Fey put up the other $750.
Nice talk - My ex-wife (Maria) talked to John on Blackpool pier (UK) at a Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker and Gary Moore Gig in 89, i was talking to his mate and mine John Sykes. Good memories. Wonderfull man my you drum for many years to come.
...your ex-wife talked to John Bonham in 1989 at a gig? Maybe JB was just a little 'smelly' after being DEAD since 1980....
I saw Carmine Appice when he was Ted Nugent's drummer... Back in like 1982.
*****
"Bound & Gagged" - I saw them. Great show.
Carmine also played drums for Rod Stewart too.
In Every Interview I see, - he seems like a Super Cool, Laid Back, Down-to-Earth Guy ( who is also an incredible drummer ).
Absolute legends both Carmine and John 🎉👍👍
carmine...he kills it on this song...wow!
My band played with you guys at the Bastille in Narragansett RI....you were rehearsing "Set me free". You guys kept doing the intro over and over again and I walked up and asked you guys if that was a "Supreme's song". This had to be 65 or 66?...not sure. You guys were kids like me at the time. I wonder if you would remember that.
Love Carmine. Great story teller.
Happy Birthday Carmine Appice 🎂
Carmine Appice ! When I listen to your work - you have led the way.
Fascinating.
@ashenhooves Carmine acknowledged not remembering doing it. Carmine doesn't need to make it up as he's one of the most connected guys in the industry. He was an ambassador for Ludwig since 67 I think.
I can state that Carmine was one of biggest name drummers in the late 60's. He was influential. Don't forget, Beck chose Carmine over Cozy!
The first American Zep concert was in Denver!
Met him several times and yes he has an ego as big is the Empire state building but he is a wonderful classic rock/ hard rock drummer and is a Pioneer in the genre. Rod Stewart was quoted saying "beware of a drummer who puts his name on his bass drum head". It's a shame because hes been fired from most of the great bands he was in.
Haha, that's so true! I'm trying to think of other drummers in bands that had that? I know Steve Gadd had Gadd Gang but that was the name of the band. Lol, oh Carmine. It seems to be everyone else's fault and he's the victim. Legendary drummer that had so much flash for the time period it was crazy. He looked awesome for the time period. I can even play that Realistic Rock first 12 bar exercise from memory. But as an adult, watching many interviews back to back, I'm starting to see a pattern. And Nathan, I think the Rod Stewart quote might have a lot to do with it.
Understatement of four decades, YES!
Great guy ..great drummer
Man they got $1500 in 1968 for their first gig in the US, without even having an album out...how times have changed...
That is the glory of Peter Grant. I'm sure they shook that $750 from out of their pockets while being hung upside down off a balcony LOL (I'm taking liberties with the story heh heh)
God bless you, Carmine Appice!
Carmine loves himself some Carmine
thanks for sharing
Love the story, with a side of coy and a lot of understatements.
Camine is a great drummer, I love his sound and playing with Rod Stewart.
He made those triplets popular and the big drum sound, Bonham took it to the next level and beyond.
Which song would that be, the one that Bonham nicked Appice's bass drum stuff from?
Keep me hangin on
@@walkerharris2844 Thanks!
deep purple loved vanilla fudge to
Very nice , thanks
It's interesting how people forensically try to break-down Bonham's sound, but it's so natural, it's like trying to describe sweeping leaves on a windy day - it's like trying to describe the note in a jazz riff. Somehow it works. But, as this interview demonstrates, others did it before, but I guess Bonham became known for it.
Good interview.
Funny how things go,,I had a beer with Carmine at Bobby's Hideaway,,off Highway 41
edger Winter,,rented my gear for the show,,He just got His new Maple Drums painted,,,
Yeah carmine is a fantastic drummer, i loved the keep me hanging on vid of vanila fudge, man hes just gose off...great drummer.!!
For everyone talking shot about Appice on here, Bono talked all the time about how great Appice was and how much he learned from him. Carmine isn't making this up.
+Matt Garvey Agreed. Every artist builds on those who worked before them. They learn and then add to it to create something new. Appice was influenced by other drummers and talks about who he learned from along the way. A great artist is also a great student.
Bono of U2?
So true! I play guitar/bass/sing/harp/write songs. I'm a hobbyist in music but I take it very seriously. I'm looking for a drummer close by to me so I can start a band. A competent bass player would be swell also.
Sonny Bono???
bUT THEN bONZO GOT WAY BETTER AND BLEW HIM OUT OF THE OCEAN lol