"[CACTUS] was supposed to be JEFF BECK, ROD STEWART, ME, and TIM [BOGART]."

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George Dionne interviews CACTUS drummer CARMINE APPICE about their latest album Temple Of The Blues - Influences And Friends.

Joining CACTUS are guest musicians Joe Bonnamassa, BIlly Sheehan (MR. BIG), Bumblefoot (SONS OF APOLLO), Randy Jackson (ZEBRA), Dee Snider (TWISTED SISTER), Dug Pinnick & Ty Tabor (KING'S X), Ted Nugent, Steve Stevens (BILLY IDOL), Pat Travers, Vernon Reid (LIVING COLOUR), Brit Lightning (VIXEN), Rudy Sarzo (QUIET RIOT), Doug Aldrich (DEAD DAISIES), Marco Mendoza (BLACK STAR RIDERS), Mark Stein (VANILLA FUDGE), Tim "Ripper" Owens, and many others...

Highlights include:

-The formation of CACTUS in 1970
-How/why CACTUS became an all-star project
-Discussion of the new album
-Recruiting the guest musicians
-Having to adjust his recording style
-Deciding on who plays on what
-Being surprised by who was influenced by CACTUS
-Eddie Van Halen's "Eruption" born from a CACTUS song
-Why two versions of "Guiltless Glider"?
-Who passed on appearing on the new album
-Debuting on the Billboard Blues Chart at #3
-Working with an AI version of folk vocalist Melanie (Safka)
-The parallels between this album and his Guitar Zeus (1995) series
-Vinyl release of CACTUS - THE BIRTH OF CACTUS 1970
-His thoughts on the 2023 Royal Albert Hall tribute to JEFF BECK
-KING KOBRA's 2023 album We Are Warriors
-No money in writing new music
-His live Rod Stewart Tribute show with Rob Caudill
-Touring with CACTUS & VANILLA FUDGE
-2023's BECK, BOGART, & APPICE - Live 1973 & 1974
-And much, much more!

https://www.cactusrocks.com

Related content:

2023 - Carmine Appice interview HERE
2022 - Carmine Appice interview HERE