* Vanilla Fudge (Bull Run Restaurant)

11-29-2018

In 1967, Vanilla Fudge rocked the world with a new sound, influencing a generation of musicians and creating a legion of loyal fans. They were "one of the few American links between psychedelia and what soon became 'heavy metal." Things started to pick up for the band in 1968: early in the year, they headlined theFillmore West with the Steve Miller Band, performed "You Keep Me Hangin' On" on The Ed Sullivan Show, and released their second album, The Beat Goes On. That summer, Atco reissued "You Keep Me Hangin' On," and the second time around it climbed into the Top Ten. It was followed by Renaissance, one of VF's best albums, which also hit the Top 20. The band supported it by touring with Jimi Hendrix, opening several dates on Cream's farewell tour, and late in the year touring again with the fledglingLed Zeppelin as their opening act. While the band did record original material, they were best known for their loud, heavy, slowed-down arrangements of contemporary pop songs, blowing them up to epic proportions and bathing them in a trippy, distorted haze.

Currently, three of the four original members, keyboardist Mark Stein, guitarist Vince Martell and drummer Carmine Appice are touring along with Pete Bremy replacing Tim Bogert on bass. Their big hits, “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” “Take Me For A While” and "Season Of The Witch" are still played on classic rock stations. They were, and are, masters of reinterpreting other artist’s hit songs. 

Now celebrating their 51st anniversary, the powerhouse vocals and keyboard flourishes of virtuoso organist Mark Stein, along with the fluid guitar explosions of Vinnie Martell, all anchored by arguably one of the best rhythm sections in the history of rock music, with the legendary Carmine Appice on drums and Pete Bremy on bass (filling in for the retired Tim Bogert), they create a sound so unique that it cannot be imitated. Your spirit will jettison right back to a “happening” in that magical summer of 1967, and this “happening” needs to be felt live to truly be appreciated!

Watch live clips HERE   and   HERE