Carmine Appice book has 'crazy orgies... and Fred Astaire'

Carmine

Carmine

© Sayre Berman/Corbis

Vanilla Fudge sticksman Carmine Appice has spoken about penning his autobiography, and it sounds like a pretty jaw-dropping read.

Titled The International Rock Guide to Hotel Wrecking, the book was written while Appice was sidelined from drumming as he recovered from shoulder surgery.

He told TheRepublic.com: "It's going to be a wild book — I got some of the crazy orgies, then I got some of the stuff with Gregory Peck and Fred Astaire."

Explaining this somewhat jarring mix, he added: "They [Peck and Astaire] used to see us play when I was with Rod [Stewart]. I gave Fred Astaire one of my books with a message in it: Good luck with the book, I hope it helps you, lots of luck, Carmine Appice. Next thing I know, I got a letter from Fred Astaire, which is in a frame and will be in the book: Hi, Carmine Appice, thank you for the book with the lovely message, I've enjoyed your work many times. Love, Fred Astaire. I go, 'Wow.'"

Rich Chamberlain

Rich is a teacher, one time Rhythm staff writer and experienced freelance journalist who has interviewed countless revered musicians, engineers, producers and stars for the our world-leading music making portfolio, including such titles as Rhythm, Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, and MusicRadar. His victims include such luminaries as Ice T, Mark Guilani and Jamie Oliver (the drumming one).