Vanilla Fudge - Vanilla Fudge/The Beat Goes On

Jul 8 2008 By Bev Bevan

(Edsel)

VANILLA Fudge were arguably the first-ever heavy rock band.

Formed in New York in 1966 and with a line-up of organ, bass and drums, they took existing popular songs and gave them extended, slowed down, organ-drenched arrangements which became an instant success with the burgeoning album-buying market.

This release contains the first two albums together on CD for the first time.

Vanilla Fudge features their stylised versions of The Beatles’ Ticket To Ride, Zombies classic She’s Not There, and the band’s hit single You Keep Me Hanging On.

The Beat Goes On was one of the first concept albums, presenting the band’s own history of music from Mozart and Beethoven to Elvis and Glen Miller. Drummer Carmine Appice in later years became (along with myself) one of the many to occupy the Black Sabbath drumstool. BB