CACTUS – The American Led Zeppelin
– Creem Magazine
Those are tall words, but that is in fact what people were saying about Cactus when this first “Super Group” hit the scene in 1970. Cactus flamed out brightly after only four albums at the end of 1972. With rockers such as Van Halen, Monster Magnet, Kings X, Billy Sheehan, David Coverdale, Kid Rock and Ted Nugent having been documented in interviews as fans of the loud and proud ’70s sensation, Cactus’s mark in Rock and Roll history is undisputed.
“Nearly five decades after I formed this band, the time had come to re-invent Cactus once again in 2024,” says Appice, who also still drums for Vanilla Fudge, The Appice Brothers Drum Wars, and in Tonight’s the Night, celebrating the legacy of former band leader, Rod Stewart. Adds Appice: “The music remains the same and Cactus is still a ‘Ot ‘n’ Sweaty’ band. The level, quality and consistence of the band’s musicianship is as strong as ever.”
Cactus has had a long and turbulent history. Formed in 1970 from the ashes of Vanilla Fudge by Carmine Appice and Tim Bogert, the initial line up also featured McCarty (from Mitch Ryder and The Buddy Miles Express) and Amboy Dukes vocalist Rusty Day. While Cactus saw success from the start and soon built a loyal fan base, by early 1973 the band had collapsed mainly due to lack of real support from its label and the fact that Jeff Beck was now ready play with Carmine and Tim in BBA.
The band reformed in 2006, three decades after the tragic death of Rusty Day with Randy Pratt on harp (who also appears on this album) and Jimmy Kunes vocals. When the late Tim Bogert was forced into retirement due to complications after a serious motorcycle accident, Pete Bremy joined on bass before Jim Caputo replaced him in 2020.
In 2024 Cactus toured in support of the album the Temple Of Blues, which was released in 2024, and featured bassist Jimmy Caputo, Artie Dillon on guitar, vocalist and harp player Ed Terry, and of course Carmine Appice on drums.