Carmine Appice

Who is Carmine Appice?

Carmine Appice is an American drummer/percussionist, most commonly associated with the rock genre of music. He received a classical music training, and was influenced early-on by the work of jazz drummers Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa. Appice is best known for his associations with Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, and the power trio Beck, Bogert & Appice.

Appice is credited with influencing several drummers including Nicko McBrain; Aerosmith's Joey Kramer; Roger Meddows-Taylor; Phil Collins; Rush's Neil Peart; Motley Crue's Tommy Lee; Dave Lombardo; Richard Christy; Chris Grainger; David Kinkade; Ray Mehlbaum; Led Zeppelin's John Bonham; Robb Reiner; and, Eric Singer.

His best-selling drum instruction book The Realistic Rock Drum Method was first published in 1972, and has since been revised and republished as The Ultimate Realistic Rock Drum Method. It covers the basic subjects of rock rhythms and polyrhythms, linear rudiments and groupings, shuffle rhythms, hi-hat, and double bass drum exercises.

Of Italian descent, Appice is the older brother of drummer Vinny Appice by 11 years.