Tag Archives: tim bogert

Features, In Memoriam

Legendary Bassist Tim Bogert Has Passed Away (1944-2021)

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Though I hate sharing bad news with the readership, I am afraid that I am tasked with bringing up the sad truth that the legendary bassist Tim Bogert has passed away. I saw the news circulating across the Facebook Pages of his former bandmates and a statement from Carmine Appice follows the image.

tim bogert

From Carmine Appice: My true friend Tim Bogert died today. He was like a brother to me. He was my friend for over 50 years. Tim was a one of a kind bass player. He inspired many, many bass players worldwide. He was as masterful at shredding as he was holding down a groove, and Tim introduced a new level of virtuosity into rock bass playing. No one played like Tim. He created bass solos that drove audiences to a frenzy every time he played one. And he played a different solo every night. He was the last of the legendary 60’s bass players. Tim was a very intelligent person. So intelligent that we would call him “Spock”. You could ask him anything and he would know something about it. I loved Tim like a brother. He will be missed very much in my life. I will miss calling him, cracking jokes together, talking music and remembering the great times we had together, and how we created kick-ass music together. Perhaps the only good thing about knowing someone close to you is suffering a serious illness, is you have an opportunity to tell them that you love them, and why you love them. I did that, a lot. I was touched to hear it said back to me. Nothing was left unsaid between us and I’m grateful for that. I highly recommend it. Rest in peace, my partner. I love you. See you on the other side.

Bogert stepped back from the live music scene about a decade or so ago and find his music delivered going forward by Pete Bremy in both Vanilla Fudge and in Cactus for a time. Tim was battling cancer for a number of years and was 76 years old at the time of his passing. On behalf of the Media Command HQ we wish Tim’s family the deepest of condolences on his passing. Thank you Tim for such powerful notes. I wish I had been able to see you live in concert more than I had gotten to. Your melodies will live on forever on numerous records and you will forever remain an inspiration to anyone who decides to make the bass their instrument. May you Rest In Peace.

Official Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Bogert

Features, PiercingMetal Says

Golden Robot Records Signs Rock Legends Vanilla Fudge

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The Press Release:
Golden Robot Records are extremely proud to announce the signing of the legendary Vanilla Fudge. To celebrate this announcement, Vanilla Fudge will drop a remastered version of their cover of Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song on 22 September.

vanilla fudge logo

“Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin is one of the monster tracks of all time. How do you top that? Well, you can’t but we decided to just have fun with it. I came up with this On Green Dolphin Street kinda chord progression as the intro on the synth with a heavy-duty brass sound that worked pretty well. The guys fell into it right quick and it rocks the house. Carmine did a great job with the drum track and Tim and Vince killed it. I did the vocals in Florida and sent it back to Carmine in Los Angeles and he mixed it. Hope you dig it.”

– Mark Stein
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Features, PiercingMetal Says

Carmine Appice Presents: Cactus “Redux” w New Band Members

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The geography of music is changing a little bit as it was recently announced that Carmine Appice was reinventing the band Cactus after the departure of bassist Pete Bremy and retirement from touring duties by founding guitarist Jim McCarty. Read the full statement and inside scoop below. I’ll return at the close with some thoughts.

The Press Release:
Coming off a very successful US tour and the release of its first studio album in 10 years, Black Dawn, the time has come for founding member and world renown drummer Carmine Appice to re-energize and rebuild Cactus. The band was once heralded by critics as America’s answer to Led Zeppelin.

Appice announced today two new members to the legendary band’s line-up: bassist Jimmy Caputo and guitarist Paul Warren. Caputo replaces bassist Pete Bremy, who has left Cactus to pursue other projects. Warren, best known as lead guitarist for Rod Stewart, Tina Turner and Joe Cocker, will be the band’s new guitarist for touring, taking over for founding member Jim McCarty. McCarty remains a writing and recording member of Cactus but unfortunately is unable to tour with the band due to health reasons. Lead vocalist extraordinare Jimmy Kunes and harmonica wizard Randy Pratt, both of whom joined when the band re-grouped in 2006 remain in the line-up.

“Nearly five decades after I formed this band, the time has come to re-invent Cactus once again,” says Appice, who also still drums for Vanilla Fudge, The Appice Brothers, and The Platinum Rock All Stars. Adds Appice: “The music remains the same and Cactus is still a ‘hot and sweaty’ band. The level, quality and consistence of the band’s musicianship is as strong as ever.”

The Band Cactus (2017)

“I saw the original Cactus live a few times, and they absolutely killed it,” says guitarist Paul Warren. “That was one of the great bands of the era, and they are still a great band, today. I am excited, and honored, to play with such an historic band!” Warren, who has his own successful solo band, is a native of Detroit and who considers Jim McCarty as one of his biggest musical influences. “”Filling in for Jim McCarty will be a challenge. Not only is he a founding member of the band, he is a brilliant guitarist and one of the best to ever come out of Detroit. Jimmy could never be replaced. I plan to honor and pay homage to his work with Cactus while still bringing some of my own ‘Detroit attitude’ to the legendary music of this band.”
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Events, Reviews

Vanilla Fudge @ B.B. King Blues Club (10/7/2006)

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In the annals of Rock & Roll History, there is a chapter of its own dedicated to the mighty Vanilla Fudge and this legendary Heavy Blues-based Rock band was touring once again and hitting the famous B.B. King Blues Club and Grill in Times Square.  On point for the PiercingMetal command would be our own Art Director Joe Kaufman and Skeleton Pete Parrella who handles the writing and photography duties while I caught up on some other things.

vanilla fudge logo

Artist: Vanilla Fudge
Venue: B.B. King Blues Club (New York, NY)
Opener: Barnaby Bye
Date: 10/7/2006
Label: Escapi Music

One of the advantages to living in New York City is not only the amount of great shows that come through town but for me in particular is that a visit to B.B. King Blues Club is just a casual walk up 42nd Street. The music fan in me prompts me to try and catch the classic bands whenever possible, especially when you learn that all the original members of the group are present. Recently, I had the pleasure of seeing a reunited Vanilla Fudge perform at the venue this site practically lives at to enjoy some truly classic Psychedelic Rock. It was the chance to see Carmine Appice (drums), Tim Bogert (bass), Vince Martell (guitar) and Mark Stein (keyboard/vocals) perform again on the same stage after so long an absence from doing so together. All members of the band sing as well, adding a certain fullness to the sounds being thrown down. The cool October night would find the band playing to a hometown sold-out crowd and judging by the abundance of gray hair and bald heads you could tell they are long time, highly loyal fans. It was also interesting to observe a fair amount of younger people in attendance, and whether they were family of the loyal fans, the band or just among the curious music aficionados attending – young or old NYC is always a lively bunch to perform in front of and a Saturday night crowd is ready to rock. Tonight the show would find Mark Stein not actually present, having been injured recently. In his place would be Bill Pascali who would do a great job of filling in for the musician.
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Events, Reviews

Cactus @ B.B. King Blues Club (9/19/2006)

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Logo - Cactus

In the annals of Blues-based Hard Rock, the name of Cactus is a well-respected one. They were often referred to as the American Led Zeppelin and their reunion shows are loaded with melody and groove. The band would be returning to B.B. King Blues Club with The Lizards in tow as their opener. Our own Joe Kaufman was on point to bring this show’s highlights to those who could not attend.

Artist: Cactus
Venue: B. B. King Blues Club (New York, NY)
Opener: the Lizards
Date: 9/19/2006
Label: Escapi Music

My friend asked me what I was doing Tuesday night and I said I was going to see Cactus and the Lizards. He then said, “What are you going to the desert?” I replied, “No, I am going to BB Kings in NYC to catch some Rock with the bands The Lizards and Cactus”.

The night started with the Lizards, a rocking group we have covered at Piercing Metal numerous times. Once again, the Lizards deliver a solid, hard rocking set of original classic rock influenced songs. An expertly executed blend of elements from 70’s and 80’s Hard Rock and Metal. Drummer Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow, Black Sabbath, BOC) along with bassist Randy Pratt get a great heavy dynamic groove going, while guitarist Patrick Klein lays down the riffs, and highly musical leads. Vocalist and Keyboardist Mike DiMeo also adds some excellent keyboard playing along with his strong vocals. Their set had a dynamic range of songs from riff rockers, funky bluesy rock to dark and moody. A solid rocking band with a classic, yet fresh style. The band is supporting their recently released album “Against All Odds”. It’s a CD that bears checking out.
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