Interview: Carmine Appice on New Cactus Album, Howlin' Wolf, Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart & More

In this episode of the LEGENDS: Podcast by All Day Vinyl host Scott Dudelson sits down with legendary drummer Carmine Appice to trace a career that began in the late 1960s and shaped generations of rock drummers.

Appice reflects on his work with Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, Beck Bogart & Appice, and long stints performing and co-writing with Rod Stewart, plus decades of session and touring work with artists from Pink Floyd to Ozzy Osbourne.

The episode highlights Appice’s new Cactus album, Temple of the Blues Part Two, a collaborative blues record featuring more than a dozen guest rock legends and reinterpretations of songs by Howlin’ Wolf, Jimi Hendrix and classic Cactus material. Carmine explains his recording process—starting with drums, building demos, and choosing guest vocalists—and shares how the project grew from his love of a little-known blues-rock album.

Listeners get insider stories about co-writing global hits like “Do You Think I’m Sexy?” and “Young Turks” with Rod Stewart, and memories of close friendships and encounters with Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Prince and others. Appice also discusses wild early days with Vanilla Fudge, odd management ties, and career highs and lows including with Jeff Beck and Blue Murder projects.

The conversation touches on technology, from using AI in videos and song experiments to his stance on streaming platforms, and closes with plans for future Cactus All-Star shows and collaborations with contemporary players. This episode is full of behind-the-scenes anecdotes, songwriting insights, and reflections on a life in rock.

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