The only band that outperformed Vanilla Fudge live: “We blew everybody off the stage”
The 1960s produced an array of consequential acts. From those taking pop music to new heights to the myriad of rock ‘n’ roll innovators who railed against tradition, the decade was a kaleidoscopic cultural explosion. One part of this tale is that those who had a hand in the sea change but were less commercially prominent than some of their peers get overlooked. One band that fits into this category is Vanilla Fudge.
Initially active from 1967 to 1970, the band’s original lineup, vocalist and organist Mark Stein, guitarist Vince Martell, bassist Tim Bogert, and drummer Carmine Appice, recorded five albums during their first two years. They are best known for their reworkings of hit songs, with their most famous effort their pioneering cover of The Supremes’ ‘You Keep Me Hangin’ On’, a song which bridged hard rock and psychedelia and nodded to the burgeoning metal sound beckoning on the horizon.
The collective power of Vanilla Fudge was the stuff of storied proportions. Although they undoubtedly pushed the limits of rock music in the studio, their sonic force in the live setting saw them rise as one of their era’s most revered groups. However, according to their drummer, Carmine Appice – one of the greatest to pick up the sticks in the rock genre – only one group pipped his at shows: Led Zeppelin.
Famously, the two groups were kindred spirits. They both forced rock down a much more expansive and heavy route, with rumbling rhythm sections, searing lead guitarists, and distinctive frontmen. Furthermore, Appice and Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham were so close that the Vanilla Fudge powerhouse claims the late Englishman stole one of his fills – but he doesn’t mind.
When speaking to Songfacts in 2019, Appice recalled how Led Zeppelin blew his band off the stage. He said: “When they went on, the audience was yelling, ‘Bring on The Fudge’. It was hilarious. I remember telling Robert Plant he should move around more on the stage. In March [2004], we went to Europe, played England, and Robert came up to jam with The Fudge. We told that story on stage, and we both had a chuckle about it. Then they became so big. I got John Bonham a Ludwig endorsement, the same drums that I had, which were big 26 bass drums – a totally unique Ludwig kit that started all these crazy sizes.”
The New Yorker continued: “Bonzo saw it and loved it, so I got him the endorsement. Six months later, when they came back to tour again, we toured together again, but this time it was equal bill. They got so big so fast, then they went on to become the biggest band in the world. We played with Hendrix, Cream, The Who, and at times, we blew everybody off the stage. We were a very hard act to follow. We were known for being very aggressive live and different from anyone else. We were wondering who was going to blow us off the stage – it was Led Zeppelin.”
Listen to ‘You Keep Me Hangin’ On’ by Vanilla Fudge below.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Led Zeppelin Newsletter
All the latest stories about Led Zeppelin from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.