Vince Martell (born Vincent James Martellucci on November 11, 1945
from the

Vanilla Fudge Vanilla Fudge is an American rock band known predominantly for their slow extended heavy rock arrangements of contemporary hit songs, such as their hit cover of The Supremes' " You Keep Me Hangin' On". The band's original line–up—vocalist ...

official website) is an American guitarist best known as the lead guitarist for

. Martell was born in

the Bronx The Bronx () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Bronx County, in the state of New York. It is south of Westchester County; north and east of the New York City borough of Manhattan, across the Harlem River; and north of the New Y ...

to parents who played the guitar and encouraged him to play as well.Biography
from Martell's official website While in his teens, Martell joined the Navy, where he discovered his skills as a guitarist.

Career

In 1963, Martell moved with his family to Florida and soon joined a band called Ricky T & The Satans Three that played in Miami blues clubs and shrimp bars in Key West. In 1966, he formed the band The Pigeons with organist Mark Stein, bassist

Tim Bogert John Voorhis "Tim" Bogert III (August 27, 1944 – January 13, 2021) was an American musician. He graduated in 1963 from Ridgefield Memorial High School in his hometown of Ridgefield, New Jersey. As a bass guitarist and vocalist he was best ...

and drummer Joe Brennan. After Brennan was replaced by

Carmine Appice Carmine Appice ( , born December 15, 1946) is an American rock drummer. He is best known for his associations with Vanilla Fudge; Cactus; the power trio Beck, Bogert & Appice; Rod Stewart; King Kobra; and Blue Murder. He is also Vinny Appice's ...

and a record deal forced the band to change its name, the band became Vanilla Fudge. After the breakup of Vanilla Fudge in 1970, Martell continued to perform until Vanilla Fudge reunited for another album in 1984 called ''Mystery''. In 2000, he released his first solo CD, ''Endless High'', followed in 2001 by a self-titled CD, ''Vince Martell''. In 2002, he recorded a third solo CD as a tribute to

Jimi Hendrix James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942September 18, 1970) was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most ...

, whom Martell had befriended when Vanilla Fudge and Hendrix toured together. In 2005, Vanilla Fudge reformed with all the original members including Martell, Mark Stein,

and

, for a tour with

The Doors The Doors were an American Rock music, rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, and drummer John Densmore. They were among the most controversial and influential ro ...

and Steppenwolf. In July 2006, Vanilla Fudge recorded a tribute to

Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. With a heavy, guitar-driven sound, they are ci ...

, working title Out Through the in Door, scheduled for release in early 2007. Martell continues to tour with Vanilla Fudge, and his own band, the Vince Martell Band with Peg Pearl (keyboards/vocals),

Pete Bremy Pete Bremy (born October 15, 1952) is an American rock bass player. He is best known for his associations with Vanilla Fudge and Cactus. Biography Originally from Paterson, Bremy is a lifelong resident of New Jersey. He started singing at a v ...

(Bass/vocals), Russ T. Blades (drums) and TigerBill Meligari (drums). Martell is preparing for a 2008 spring/summer tour (with his own band) sharing some dates with The Shadows of Knight, with whom he has performed with at Irving Plaza (along with Mark Stein). A new CD is also in the works. Vince along with fellow original members Bogert, Stein and Appice opened for

Deep Purple Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in London in 1968. They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal music, heavy metal and modern hard rock music, but their musical style has changed over the course of its existence. Ori ...

(at the band's request) on August 7, 2007 at

Radio City Music Hall Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue and Theater (structure), theater at 1260 Sixth Avenue (Manhattan), Avenue of the Americas, within Rockefeller Center, in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. Nicknamed "The Showplac ...

, continuing to tour in this lineup in early 2008. Vince and Mark Stein appeared on The "My Music" series on PBS in March/April 2008. They are seen performing "You Keep Me Hangin' On" with backing musicians from Mark Stein's solo band. Vince and Mark Stein soon thereafter began performing around the country together as "Vanilla Fudge's Mark Stein and Vince Martell" with a new rhythm section featuring JimmyJack Tamburo from Mark Stein's band on drums, and

from Vince's band on bass. This lineup toured throughout the summer of 2009. In April 2008 Vince Martell signed with Collectables Records as a solo artist. His ''Endless High'' album, which originally appeared in 2000 was re-released on Spectra Records. As of 2019, Martell is back to touring with Vanilla Fudge, alongside original bandmates Mark Stein and Carmine Appice, with Pete Bremy in place of original member Tim Bogert, who officially retired from touring in 2010.

Discography

*1967: ''

'' *1968: '' The Beat Goes On'' *1968: ''

Renaissance The Renaissance ( , ) , from , with the same meanings. is a period in European history marking the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and covering the 15th and 16th centuries, characterized by an effort to revive and surpass ideas ...

'' *1969: '' Near the Beginning'' *1970: '' Rock & Roll'' *1984: ''

Mystery Mystery, The Mystery, Mysteries or The Mysteries may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional characters *Mystery, a cat character in ''Emily the Strange'' Films * ''Mystery'' (2012 film), a 2012 Chinese drama film * ''Mystery'' ( ...

'' *2000: ''Endless High'' *2000: ''Vanilla Fudge – The Return / Then And Now'' *2001: ''Vince Martell: Lead Guitarist of Vanilla Fudge'' *2002: ''Pyschedlic Cymbals'' *2005: ''Vanilla Fudge – Out Through The In Door'' *2009: ''Vince Martell – Comin' to Get Ya''

References

External links

Official Vince Martell web site

Official Vanilla Fudge web site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Martell, Vince American rock guitarists American male guitarists 1945 births Living people Lead guitarists People from the Bronx Vanilla Fudge members 20th-century American guitarists 20th-century American male musicians American people of Italian descent