Carmine Appice recently shared his perspective on Ted Nugent, highlighting their long-standing friendship and professional relationship in a statement featured on Rock History Music.
Appice described Nugent as a loyal and principled figure in rock music. He emphasized the guitarist’s unwavering commitment to those he considers friends.
“Ted Nugent is a friend, a longtime friend, a great guitarist, a man of his own opinions, which I love about him,” Appice said. “He don’t give a hell about nobody, you know, but if he’s on your side, he’s on your side.”
The drummer traced their connection back decades. Their professional paths have intertwined over the years, and Appice recalled their early collaborations and how their friendship deepened through shared musical experiences.
“I know him since 1967 or eight. We did our first gig with Hendricks, him and Vanilla Fudge,” Appice explained. “And then later on, my manager started managing him. So, we got to see him more and more. And we’ve been friends all through the years.”
Appice recounted a pivotal moment when Nugent encouraged him to pursue harder rock music. After working with Rod Stewart, Nugent reportedly invited him to join his band. This led to a year-long collaboration that included an album and touring.
“I was playing with Rod, we did American Music Awards, and we did Young Turks and Rod’s music was getting a little wimpy as Ted said,” Appice recalled. “So he said, ‘When you’re done playing this wimpy rock and you want to play a man’s rock, gave me a call.’ So after I was done with Rod, I called Ted and I went immediately into Ted’s band for a year and did an album and touring with him and it was great, a lot of fun, you know, and we got closer.”
Appice’s relationship with Nugent reflects a broader pattern of collaboration and mutual respect that has defined his legendary career. His influence extends across generations of rock artists through his work as a drummer, songwriter, and producer.
Wikipedia notes that Carmine Appice is best known for his associations with iconic bands including Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, and the power trio Beck, Bogert & Appice. His drumming style and technical prowess have made him a cornerstone figure in rock music history. Beyond his drumming talents, Appice has also contributed significantly as a songwriter and producer, co-writing major hits that shaped rock radio in the 1970s and beyond.
Appice’s songwriting credentials are particularly noteworthy in the context of his work with Rod Stewart. Classic Rock Music Writer revealed that Appice co-wrote major hits including Rod Stewart’s “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” and “Young Turks.” These contributions showcase his talents as a songwriter and producer alongside his drumming abilities. They demonstrate that Appice’s value to the rock community extends far beyond his work behind the drum kit.
This collaborative approach reflects the mutual respect and professional admiration that has sustained Appice and Nugent’s friendship over the decades. Their continued work together demonstrates that their bond remains as strong as ever. Nugent’s recent guest appearance on Cactus’s latest album “Temple Of Blues – Influences & Friends” is rooted in a shared commitment to authentic, hard-hitting rock music.
Collaborative Projects and Lasting Partnerships
Appice’s collaborative spirit has extended into more recent decades through ambitious projects that bring together rock’s greatest talents. More than 20 years ago, Appice created the Guitar Zeus album series. Music Life Magazine documented that the series featured guest appearances by a veritable who’s who of rock guitarists. Ted Nugent’s participation in this project helped attract other prominent guitarists to the endeavor, underscoring Nugent’s continued influence and his willingness to support Appice’s creative vision.
