 vanilla fudge is an american rock band known predominantly for their psychedelic renditions of popular songs. the band's original lineupâvocalist/organist mark stein, bassist/vocalist tim bogert, lead guitarist/vocalist vince martell, and drummer/vocalist carmine appiceârecorded five albums during the years 1966â69, before disbanding in 1970. the band has reunited in various configurations over the years, and is currently operating with three of the four original members, mark stein, vince martell, and carmine appice with pete bremy on bass for tim bogert who has retired from touring. the band has been cited as "one of the few american links between psychedelia and what soon became heavy metal."[ allmusic.com] ==history== stein and bogert played in a local band called rick martin & the showmen. the pair were so impressed by the swinging sound and floods of organ of the rascals they decided to form their own band with martell and rick martin's drummer, joey brennan. originally calling themselves the pigeons, they changed the name to vanilla fudge in 1966, after the replacement of brennan by appice. the group was then "discovered" and managed by reputed lucchese crime family member phillip basile, who operated several popular clubs in new york. their first three albums (vanilla fudge, the beat goes on, and renaissance) were produced by shadow morton, whom the band met through the rascals. when led zeppelin first toured the usa in early 1969, they supported vanilla fudge on some shows. the band's biggest hit was its [[
1966_establishments_in_New_York American_hard_rock_musical_groups American_psychedelic_rock_music_groups Atco_Records_artists Blues_rock_groups Musical_groups_disestablished_in_1970 Musical_groups_disestablished_in_1984 Musical_groups_disestablished_in_1988 Musical_groups_disestablished_in_1991 Musical_groups_established_in_1966 Musical_groups_from_Long_Island Musical_groups_reestablished_in_1987 Musical_groups_reestablished_in_1991 Musical_groups_reestablished_in_1999 Musical_quartets Polydor_Records_artists Rock_music_groups_from_New_York