Vinny Appice
Vinny Appice |
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Vincent "Vinny" Appice (born September 13, 1959 in Brooklyn, New York) is a rock drummer, best known for his work with the bands Dio and Black Sabbath. He is the younger brother, by 11 years, of rock drummer Carmine Appice, who was in Vanilla Fudge and Cactus. He is currently involved in Heaven and Hell and 3 Legged Dogg.
Early years
Vinny took up the drums aged 9, taking lessons from the same teacher as Carmine had had. At the age of 16, Vinny and his band BOMF met John Lennon at The Record Plant in NYC, which led to Vinny appearing on several Lennon projects. He then recorded and toured with Rick Derringer on Derringer (1976), Sweet Evil (1977) and Derringer Live (1977), before forming his own band Axis, releasing one album, It's A Circus World (1978).
The Black Sabbath and Dio years
Appice joined Black Sabbath in 1980 during the Heaven and Hell tour, and later appeared on the albums Mob Rules (1981) and the album recorded on that tour, Live Evil (1982). In late 1982, before Live Evil had even hit the shelves, he had left Sabbath with vocalist Ronnie James Dio, and formed the band Dio. He appeared on the Dio albums Holy Diver (1983), The Last in Line (1984), Sacred Heart (1985), Intermission (1986), and Dream Evil (1987). In December 1989 Appice left Dio for reasons somewhat unclear.
In 1990 Appice joined World War III and the band released an album. In 1992 Appice returned to Black Sabbath, with Ronnie James Dio, for the Dehumanizer album and tour. When Black Sabbath, with Rob Halford singing instead of Ronnie James Dio, opened as special guest on Ozzy's (supposed) final two solo shows in Costa Mesa, CA in November 1992, Appice still sat in the drum-stool. Thereafter, he rejoined Dio and is present on Strange Highways (1994), Angry Machines (1996) and Inferno - Last in Live (1998).
On the 1998 Black Sabbath tour he replaced original drummer Bill Ward, who was absent while he recovered from a heart-attack. Ward returned to the band in 1999.
In 2007 Appice took part in a reunion with Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Ronnie James Dio to tour under the name "Heaven and Hell", playing 98 shows. Initially Bill Ward was going to be the drummer for this project but once again Appice was asked to step in, Ward having stated he did not want to tour with the band.
Other recordings
His recorded output is extensive, as detailed on his official homepage. Recent sessions include those for Lana Lane, Mark Boals and, in 2003, Erik Norlander's Music Machine CD. He has also released instructional drumming videos and regularly appears at drum clinics, sometimes with brother Carmine. Despite being known as one of rock's heaviest drummers Vinny uses a single bass-drum.
He once said in an interview with a UK drumming magazine that the correct pronunciation of the family name is 'a-PEACH-ee' but he generally finds people pronounce it 'AP-a-sea' and doesn't lose sleep over it. Certainly the pronunciation in interviews and onstage by Ronnie James Dio was the latter way.
Vinny Appice also appeared on a Circle of Tyrants (Necro, Ill Bill, Goretex, Mr Hyde) rap CD, where he collaborated with Alex Skolnick (Guitars), Necro and Mr Hyde in the year of 2005.
In year 2006 Vinny recorded a someway nostalgic album as part of a group called Power Project, featuring Carl Sentance (ex Krokus, Geezer Butler Band) on vocals, Carlos Cavazo (Quiet Riot) on guitar and Jeff Pilson (Dokken, Dio) on bass. The album, produced by the Italian label Power Zone Recordspresents 10 original songs strongly inspired to the sound of the '80s. Music by Andy Menario and lyrics by Marco Roberto Capelli.
Discography
with Axis
- It's A Circus World (1978)
with Black Sabbath
- Mob Rules (1981)
- Live Evil (1982)
- Dehumanizer (1992)
- Black Sabbath: The Dio Years (2007)
- Live at Hammersmith Odeon (2007)
with Heaven and Hell
with Dio
- Holy Diver (1983)
- The Last in Line (1984)
- Sacred Heart (1985)
- Intermission (1985)
- Dream Evil (1987)
- Strange Highways (1994)
- Angry Machines (1996)
- Inferno - Last in Live (1998)
with Rick Derringer
- Derringer (1976)
- Sweet Evil (1977)
- Derringer Live (1977)
with World War III
- World War III (1990)
with Power Project[1]
- Dinosaurs (2006)
with 3 Legged Dogg
- Frozen Summer (2006)
