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Perfect Fusion

Vanilla Fudge To Perform At Warren’s Struthers Library Theatre Saturday

Vanilla Fudge will perform at the Struthers Library Theatre in Warren, Pa., at 8 p.m. Saturday. Submitted photos courtesy of vanillafudge.com

WARREN, Pa. — An iconic band noted for its spirited covers and blending a plethora of musical genres over the course of a half-century will perform in Warren, Pa., this weekend.

The Struthers Library Theatre will host Vanilla Fudge in a Saturday evening performance beginning at 8 p.m., where 50 years worth of music and top-notch musicianship will be on display.

Vanilla Fudge was one of the first American groups to infuse psychedelia with heavy rock. Originally a cover band named The Pigeons they were eventually asked by a record label to change their name. The band settled on Vanilla Fudge.

In its early days the band toured with Jimi Hendrix and played dates with groups such as Cream, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, among many other. The band also toured with the fledgling Led Zeppelin as their opening act. Vanilla Fudge has released nine studio albums in total, with its most recent album being 2015’s “Spirit of ’67” — which was released to widespread critical acclaim.

Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, the band still maintains a regular touring schedule with three of its original four members, including the legendary Carmine Appice on drums. Appice is celebrated as one of rock’s greatest all-time drummers, and has garnered several prestigious accolades such as being named to the Classic Drummer Hall and Modern Drummer halls of fame, as well as being ranked by Rolling Stone magazine as No. 28 in list of greatest all-time drummers.

Appice’s playing style, persona and black Fu Manchu mustache are so recognizable, it is rumored that he is the direct inspiration for the Muppet drummer “Animal,” who plays the drums so wildly he must be chained to his drum set for everyone’s safety. As one of rock’s most storied drummers, Appice was a member of Cactus; Beck, Bogert and Appice; and Blue Murder. Appice also thumped skins for Rod Stewart, Ted Nugent, Rick Derringer and Ozzy Osbourne.

More recently, Appice has kept busy playing “Drum Wars” shows with younger brother and fellow elite hard-rock drummer, Vinny, who has played for Dio and Black Sabbath.

Tickets to Saturday’s Vanilla Fudge concert range from $24 to $32 each. They can be purchased in advance by calling the box office at 814-723-7231 or online at strutherslibrarytheatre.com, as well as the door on the day of the concert.

Struthers Library Theatre is located at 302 W. Third Ave. in Warren, Pa. For more information, visit strutherslibrarytheatre.com/vanilla-fudge.

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