Carmine Appice (born December 15, 1946) is an American rock drummer of Italian background and is the older brother of drummer Vinny Appice by 11 years. He received a classical music training and was influenced by the jazz drumming of Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa early on. Appice is best known for his associations with Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, and the power trio Beck, Bogert & Appice.

Appice is known for his showmanship, stick tosses and twirls. He is considered one of the most accomplished showmen in rock and was the first rock drummer to organise drum clinics held at college campuses, theatres, and drum stores. He is credited with influencing drummers including: Nicko McBrain, Fast Joey Brighton, Joey Kramer, Roger Meddows-Taylor, Phil Collins, Neil Peart, Tommy Lee, Dave Lombardo, Richard Christy, David Kinkade, Ray Mehlbaum, John Bonham, Robb Reiner, and Eric Singer.

His best-selling drum instruction book ''The Realistic Rock Drum Method'' was first published in 1972, and has since been revised and republished as ''The Ultimate Realistic Rock Drum Method''. It covers the basic subjects of rock rhythms and polyrhythms, linear rudiments and groupings, shuffle rhythms, hi-hat, and double bass drum exercises.

Biography[link]

He was a member of '' KGB'' which featured Ray Kennedy, Ric Grech, Mike Bloomfield, and Barry Goldberg. Appice has recorded with artists such as Stanley Clarke, Ted Nugent, and Pink Floyd. He has also played with King Kobra and Blue Murder with John Sykes. On May 23, 1981, Mayor Tom Bradley of Los Angeles proclaimed that day as Carmine Appice Day in L.A in recognition of Appice's charitable and educational work. Later in 1983 he toured with Ozzy Osbourne to promote Bark at the Moon (1983).

In 2005, he became an official supporter of Little Kids Rock, a nonprofit organization which provides free musical instruments and instruction to children in less privileged public schools throughout the USA. He has personally delivered instruments to children in the program, and has also performed at benefit concerts for the organization and sits on its Honorary Board of Directors.

In 2006, he formed the drum ensemble SLAMM in which Appice participates on drums playing along side four young drummers. The show they put on has been described as "Stomp on steroids". The band filmed a promotional video for the Cable Network station ESPN, using a NASCAR garage as a set and mechanic's hardware as instruments. They were voted as the runner-up in the ''Drum'' magazine poll for Percussion Ensemble (2008) after a special appearance at the magazine's drum festival. SLAMM also appears on the Modern Drummer festival DVD (2008).

He recorded ''Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus:Conquering Heroes'' (2009). This was the third album in his ''Guitar Zeus'' series. These albums have featured guitarists such as Jennifer Batten, Brian May, Ted Nugent, Richie Sambora, and Yngwie Malmsteen.

Carmine Appice lives in New York and Los Angeles with Gold.

He recently lent his talents to the Sly Stone CD I’m Back! Family & Friends, where he plays on the Sly classic "Stand!" It was released Aug. 16 2011

He is currently on an American tour with the Michael Schenker Group.

2011 saw Carmine performing Drum Wars shows with his brother Vinny Appice, as well a reformation of King Kobra with Johnny Rod, Mick Sweda, and David Henzerling, with Paul Shortino replacing Mark Free on lead vocals. This lineup released an eponymous album in April 2011 on the Frontiers label which received critical acclaim

Discography[link]

Albums [link]

Vanilla Fudge

Rod Stewart

Cactus

Beck, Bogert & Appice

Derringer, Bogert & Appice

Char, Bogert & Appice

Vargas, Bogert & Appice

Jan Akkerman Tabernakel (1974)

KGB

Paul Stanley

Ted Nugent

DNA Party Tested (1983)

King Kobra

Blue Murder

Mothers Army

Pappo's Blues

Marty Friedman

Travers & Appice (as duet with Pat Travers)

Pink Floyd "Dogs Of War" from A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987)

Awards [link]

Notes[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Category:American rock drummers Category:American heavy metal drummers Category:1946 births Category:Living people Category:People from Brooklyn Category:King Kobra members Category:Blue Murder members Category:The Ozzy Osbourne Band members Category:American people of Italian descent Category:American musicians of Italian descent Category:Vanilla Fudge members Category:Cactus (band) members