Vanilla Fudge keeps 'Hangin' On'

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Members of Vanilla Fudge: rear, from left, Bill Pascali and Carmine Appice; and front, from left, Tim Bogert and Teddy Rondinelli will be among the "Kings of Classic Rock" in concert on three islands. 'Kings of Classic Rock' Featuring Vanilla Fudge, Canned Heat and Big Brother & the Holding Company 7 p.m. Sunday (gates open at 6 p.m.) Blaisdell Arena $35 in advance, $40 at the door (877) 750-4400, 591-2211, ticketmaster.com Also: On the Big Island: 7 p.m. today (gates open at 6 p.m.) Kona Brewing Co.'s Brewhouse Oasis $30 in advance, $40 at the door (808) 334-2739 On Maui: 7 p.m. Saturday (gates open at 6:30 p.m.) Aloha Pavilion, Ritz-Carlton Kapalua $30 in advance, $40 at the door (808) 244-9145

"It's hard to believe it's been 38 years since we did the song, and it just doesn't seem that long ago," he said in a phone conversation from Long Island, N.Y., where he's been laying down tracks for a new Vanilla Fudge CD expected next spring.

Some old rockers never die, he said, citing vets such as Mick Jagger and Keith Richard of the Rolling Stones.

"Keith looks dead, but he keeps going on. There are so many of them — to baby boomers, 65 isn't old anymore. Many of us are still rocking."

Appice and his band are in Hawai'i this weekend for a three-island "Kings of Classic Rock" tour, which winds up with a Sunday concert at the Blaisdell Arena.

"For me, it's fun to go back," said Appice. "Vanilla Fudge is the only band I've played in with a totally unique drum part. I mimic percussion parts in an orchestra, so I get to be the snare drums, the bass drums, the tympani. Arrangements from the old days are challenging for a drummer. We're a singing band, too, blending harmonies. So it's a real fun time."

Appice, who sings as well as plays drums, and Tim Bogert, bassist-vocalist, are original Vanilla Fudge members who reconvened in 1999 after a split in 1970. In between, the pair formed Cactus and worked with other notable rock and pop stars. The other current members are Bill Pascali, vocals and organ; and Teddy Rondinelli, vocals and guitar.

"It's pretty much a different scene today, though we pretty much do what we did years ago — and that is work weekends a few times a month and take tours to the West Coast, to Europe, wherever," said Appice. "We pick and choose."

And play their old hits, like "Hangin' On," "Take Me for a Little While," "People Get Ready," "Shotgun" and "Season of the Witch." The Fudge has also put its imprint on two boy-band hits, *N Sync's "Tearin' Up My Heart" and the Backstreet Boys' "I Want It That Way."

Way back when, Vanilla Fudge used to be called The Pigeons. "This girl who knew us said we were like a white soul group, vanilla soul, and we played rhythm 'n' blues," Appice said of the early years. "So Vanilla Fudge seemed to be a good fit. It was the (psychedelic) era, where there were groups like the Strawberry Alarm Clock and the Electric Prunes."

Between the original Fudge days and its more recent reincarnation, Appice has worked with many rock icons, from Ted Nugent to Rod Stewart, Ozzy Osbourne and Jeff Beck.

He's also composed a lot of music and written drum instructional books that pay handsome royalties.

"Songwriting royalties are the most extravagant in the business," he said. Among his creations: "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" and "Young Turks," in collaboration with Stewart. "These hits generate royalties" and revenues.

Appice hopes to collect his memoirs for a volume — which should be a good read about the development of pop and rock through his eyes and ears.

Earlier this year, Vanilla Fudge had a you-had-to-be-there classic rock moment when singer Bogert became ill after eating pizza and hitting the stage.

"It turned out that he wasn't too good with tomato sauce, but our meal was late and he snacked on the pizza," Appice said. "After my drum solo, our roadie told me that Tim was really sick, and we had to stop the show. Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin was in the audience and we knew it, and we figured, how could we just stop? He came backstage and offered to help us in a jam — and how nice it was.

"He didn't want us to make a big deal, but the audience was thrilled."

Vanilla Fudge recently recorded a DVD with the 50-piece San Fernando Valley Symphony Orchestra and is prepping a fall release complete with a companion CD of the music.

An orchestral overcoat of original Fudge sounds like sweet dessert after all these years.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.

Friends of Carmine

Carmine Appice has worked with a true constellation of rock-era stars.

Here's his take on some of his old colleagues:

• Rod Stewart: "A cool guy, who lets his band write songs with him; always shares publishing royalties and even merchandise profits."
• Ted Nugent: "A fun guy, always on the edge of insanity, who never drank or smoke."
• Ozzy Osbourne: "I could actually understand him ... early in the day. By night, he was fried — but basically a good person who always wanted to be an actor."
• Jimi Hendrix: "I toured with him when he was Jimi James; I worked in a band opposite him and he was always laid back, a good guy, who smoked pot. On stage, he was shy, sort of a Prince personality."