A R C H I V E S

 

 

 

Vince Martell...

...on the guitar

 

 

 

 

 

Continue scrolling down for other articles of interest...

 

 

 

 

  • August 27, 2011 - The Vince Martell Band performs benefit for US Veterans in Birmingham, Alabama!
     

    "What a fantastic couple - Vince and Peg came to Birmingham last week with Pete and Russ to help us raise money for our homeless veterans. We all know the talent this man has - the joy his music has brought so many people over the years. Yet Vince - the person - is so much larger than the celebrity I grew up admiring. Vince and the band came down - after I am sure a tiring trip from NJ - and spent hours with our veterans and volunteers at our Veterans Center. He took time to speak with and pose for countless photos with every person that night. Many of our Viet Nam vets just wanted to stand near him - to talk to him - Vinny treated every man and woman that night with sincere respect. He never seemed rush to get to the next person - he acted the whole night - like all he had was time for them. He and Peg sat down and ate with these veterans. Everytime I turned around - someone was pulling one of them - Vinny, Peg, Pete or Russ off to the side for a quick photo - or just a chance to talk. It was very moving to me as a director to see every one in the Vince Martell Band be so passionate and caring about "my" veterans.
     
    Then - they topped it all off - with a fantastic show the next day. For those of you who have not heard Vinny play the Start Spangled Banner - your life is not complete. When he was done - there were tears in many eyes. The music kept coming - Peg's angelic voice crooned "Somewhere over the rainbow" to many misty eyes. For nearly two hours all of us forgot about any worries or concerns life had thrown at us. We were all transported to another dimension as Vince, Peg, Pete and Russ poured out their all for us. After the show - again he was swamped with veterans and volunteers wanting pictures and autographs. Kids bringing him t-shirts to sign - local bands wanting a photo with Vince and the band. It didn't matter the rank of the person - we had everyone from PFC's to a General - Vince had time for every veteran.
     
    Vince Martell came to Birmingham as someone I knew was a celebirty rock and roll star. I was nervous about meeting him. I was hoping we could show him the dignity and respect I thought he deserved. In less than 48 hours - Vince Martell, Peg Pearl, Pete Bremy, and Russ T. Blades left Birmingham as four new found freinds. He has done something few celebrities can do - he met a fan - and earned a freind. We love you Vinny, we will keep you and Peg in our prayers each day -- and we count the days until we see you again."
     

    JD Simpson,
    Executive Director
    Three Hots and a Cot

     
    A very special thanks to JD Simpson, his family, all the veterans for their great hospitality, Ron Gantz for donating guitars, and to Rob and Sandy Matanane for driving us home from Birmingham after Hurricane Irene cancelled our flights home! God bless!
     

    Vinny and the Band
     

    Click here to view Birmingham News articles about the show!

  • 2009 - Tours! New CD! Vince has a new CD out, and he and Mark Stein continue to perform live which included shows in Las Vegas, and with Hippiefest out on Long Island with Mountain, The Turtles, Badfinger, Chuck Negron and more....

    The Vince Martell Band headlined a show at B.B. King's in New York, and the band particpated in two tribute shows in November; one a George Harrison/Bangladesh Tribute and the other a Jimi Hendrix Tribute.

  • 2008 - Tours! Vince has been playing many live shows with his own band, and the original Vanilla Fudge, but is now touring with Mark Stein as Vanilla Fudge's Mark Stein and Vince Martell.

Artwork by Ned Levine
Vanilla Fudge's
Mark Stein and Vince Martell

CLICK HERE for a full report of the Las Vegas show and photos by original Vanilla Fudge Webmaster Casey Butler!!

  • 2007 - New Vanilla Fudge Album - Vince Martell, Mark Stein, Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice, the original Vanilla Fudge reunited to record a tribute CD to Led Zeppelin, the band they helped introduce to the United States in 1969 by having them as their opening act for their first tour of the USA. Zep has often referred to Vanilla Fudge as good friends and a big influence. The CD is titled Out Through The In Door.

  • 2006 / October - VintageRock.com Review of Vanilla Fudge Concert, Patchogue, NY by Ralph Greco, Jr. - "I can say this with no fear of contradiction, Vanilla Fudge are the best American rock and roll band, ever. " "[Vince] might be the most skilled, yet unobtrusive player I have ever seen and heard." Want to read more? Click here!!!

  • 2006 - The "all original" Vanilla Fudge recorded a new CD, Out Through The In Door, a tribute to Led Zeppelin.

  • 2006 - On October 15, 2006, Vanilla Fudge was among the first class of inductees into the brand new Long Island Music Hall of Fame. Vince, Mark Stein and Carmine Appice were on hand to accept their awards. Tim Bogert could not attend due to a commitment in California. The inaugural ceremony was held at the newly renovated Patchogue Theater in Patchogue, NY. Vanilla Fudge was inducted by Vanilla Fudge hero and friend Felix Cavaliere of the Rascals. Other inductees present included Joan Jett, Little Anthony (and the Imperials), Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge, Twisted Sister, Leslie West and Mountain, Peter Criss (Kiss) and Billy Joel. Famous presenters included, of course Felix, and Peter Tork of the Monkees. There were 29 initial inductees. Photo below...

Mark Stein makes acceptance speech as Carmine, Vince
and Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals look on.

  • 2006 / April - Vince is a judge... and is judged!

    Vince was an honored judge at the Guitar Center's 'Guitarmageddon King of BLues'competition for the last four weeks at the Guitar Center in Cherry Hill, NJ. A winner was picked. Check Guitarcenter.com for the details.

  • 2006 / April - The Sheepshead Bay Improvement Group is honoring Vince Martell and Peg Pearl among others with an award for their outstanding humanitarian service to the community over the last eight years. They will be honored at the BIG Oscars Awards Dinner at 7PM at IL Fornetto, 2902 Emmons Avenue Sheepshead Bay, NY. CAll 718-646-9206 for info.

  • 2005 - Vanilla Fudge with all four original members on tour with The 21st Century Doors, Steppenwolf, and the Yardbirds

  • 2005 / January - Vince Martell at the famouse Chance Theatre

    Vince and his band will be performing with Blue Oyster Cult at the famous Chance Theatre in Poughkeepsie, New York on January 29, 2005!!! Be there or be square! Stay tuned for more!

  • 2004 / May - Tiger Bill Meligari Vince at Annual Sheepshead Bay Festival

"Tiger Bill" Meligari

    Also working with Vince on drums is Tiger Bill Meligari. Bill acquired the nickname "Tiger" due to his monster chops, from his mentor, the legendary jazz drummer Joe Morello. Bill's credentials go on and on, check them out at his monster drummers' website at TigerBill.com

  • 2003 / March - Fantastic Review by Ray Manzarek!

    On July 7, 2002, Vanilla Fudge played at the DTE Energy Center in Charleston, MI. Ray Manzarek of The Doors was also on the bill. Ray wrote a fantastic review of The Fudge and especially Vince! Here's an excerpt:

      "...For as entertaining as Manzarek and Jefferson Starship were to be, the cream of the crop came to the stage early and in the full light of day. Vanilla Fudge simply melted with the audience for an hour during which so much Progressive Hard Rock and Soul Territory was crossed that you would need a road map to find your way back. This was musical bliss beyond all else and easily the set of the summer at DTE. If audience/group synergy ever existed it was here and now with this hour of Vanilla Fudge. Each breath of air was split to its basic elements by the Metal cum Funk guitar of Vince Martell. A more moving and soulful shredder may not exist in all of Classic Rock. If Martell blew the air apart it was the imcomparable rhythm section of Carmine Appice and T.M. Stevens that recombined the elements to make something even more conductive to Martell's electricity."

                          -Ray Manzerek

  • 2002 / November - Vince releases his third solo CD, a tribute to Jimi Hendrix called Psychedelic Cymbals. Vince on guitar and vocals of course, with Peg Pearl, Pete Bremy, and Russ T. Blades.

  • 2002 / May - Vince releases his second solo CD entitled Vince Martell Lead Guitarist of Vanilla Fudge. His band is still performing in the New York area, and he still stands out front with more Vanilla Fudge tours!

September 21, 2001 - Fudge Tour a success, guitar video now available!

The August/September 2001 Fudge tour was a success. They went from coast to coast with great receptions. All four members of our site team were present at one show, some of us more than one. The guys treated us like royalty, too.

The Vince Martell Instructional Guitar Video, Lesson 1: Introduction to Acoustic Guitar is here! Order it in The Store!

  • 2001 / July - A New CD Coming!

    With all the delays in releasing Endless High, Vince wanted to wait until he was far enough along for this announcement. Yep! A new CD!!! Vince and the band entered the studio in early May. Sessions have been progressing right along. The new, as yet untitled CD, is already almost completed. Limited pre-release copies should be availiable for the July 20th Turning Point Show!

  • 2001 / May With Thanks!

    Vince and the band want to thank everyone who came and packed Mexicali Blues in Teaneck, NJ on April 20th! The warm reception was a real inspiration. Vince came with some new tunes and some old favorites. The crowd made Vince play Cause I Love You- twice!

    A return engagement has been booked for July 20th at The Turning Point in Piermont, NY. The word is spreading! Other venues are being considered in Connecticut and elsewhere!

    Flash! Vince is heading back to the studio this month to begin a new CD! Stay tuned!

  • 2001 / April - We hope you like the new site design!

    Over the past few months, Endless High has been playing more shows. In December, there was Mecixali Blues Cafe in Teaneck, NJ, and a return to Le Bar Bat in New York City. A return to Mexicali Blues is scheduled for April 20, 2001. Don't miss it!

    Vince is itching to get back in the studio. No details are available yet, but stay tuned!

  • 2001 - Vince Martell, with Peg Pearl, continues to perform with his band and its new line up with Peter Bremy on bass and Russ T. Blades on drums. Vince continues to tour with Vanilla Fudge.

  • 2000 - Vince Performs - A report on Vince's performance at La Bar Bat in New York City, April 27th, 2000.

  • 1999 - Vanilla Fudge reforms with Vince on guitar, Tim Bogert on bass, Carmine Appice on drums and Bill Pascali on organ. January holds for them a tour of Japan. In July, a sold out crowd watched them headline a concert at Westbury Music Fair in New York, along with legendary Felix Cavaliere and his Rascals opening for them.

  • 1994 - 50 Heaviest Guitar Riffs Of All Time - Vince Martell and Vanilla Fudge's arrangement of You Keep Me Hanging On- No. 4 according to Guitar Magazine:

     

     

     

     

    Note Number 4! ->

Page X - New Jersey!

Check out this cool interview!