Buckeye Randy
Senior Member
Who: Vanila Fudge
Where: Kent Stage (Kent, OH)
When: Rocktober 8, 2026
I’m not sure when it happened but I’m becoming more comfortable seeing retro bands. Some qualify as concerts and others are more like thumbing through an old photo album of memories. Maybe my problem was never with the bands themselves but being with the type of people that see retro bands!
I have never owned an album by Vanilla Fudge but I’m from an age adjacent era once removed. Additionally, I consider myself a connoisseur of music so it’s not a stretch to spend an evening with a band from the late ‘60’s.
I say that I have never owned an album but don’t disqualify me as a fan, I have always considered “Keep Me Hangin’ On” to be the gold standard for covering a song and making it your own. Have you ever seen the band’s appearance on the Ed Sullivan show doing that song? Check it out if you haven’t seen it because it is certainly one of the most powerful TV performances of that era or any era.
That was 1967, it is now 2026. What we have now is three of the four original members and 100% of all living members. That constitutes ‘real deal’! This isn’t a retro band by name with only one or in some cases no original members. The original members here are Mark Stein on the Hammond, Vince Martelli on guitar, Carmen Appice on drums and newbie (16 years) is Pete Bremy on a five string bass. All members contribute vocals.
Kent is a college town so the sidewalks and the many bars and restaurants are always busy when school is in session. Kent Stage was a movie theatre that was converted to a concert venue and holds 650 people. The lobby area and restrooms have been updated and give a clean first impression when going from the entrance (ticket/merchandise area) to the theatre. The theatre itself seems relatively unchanged except for the new stage and the in-house sound & lighting. When I say unchanged…yes, I’m talking about old (and small) theatre seats! The theatre checks all the boxes for small town charm right down to the three sided marquee hanging over the sidewalk, “Tonight, Vanilla Fudge”.
Mrs. Buckeye and myself take our seats in the front row. Did I mention we had front row seats? (smiling) I have to say that this concert is tailor-made for people of advancing years. There is no opening band and the show starts at 7:30 which means normal bedtime is achievable and medication cycles will not be interrupted. This is important for older people in attendance; I do not mean Mrs. Buckeye and myself.
Lights dim and the band takes their places to a smattering of applause. A lone voice is heard from the crowd that clarifies just where and when we are, “Rock and Roll”! Ha, I remember when every concert had dozens of people including myself screaming this mantra in the minutes leading up to showtime. Back then it seemed normal but now just a little dated or somebody functioning on muscle memory.
Sooo… before a show I often say this in a whispered yell only loud enough for Mrs. Buckeye to hear and I always get the desired look, “You’re an idiot”. I am now properly inspired to once again decree the call to arms before a show, “Rock and Roll”! I can’t wait until our next concert together.
The lights dim and the video screen behind the band goes into psychedelic colors and designs. Whirling sounds come from Mark Stein’s Hammond with the mandatory Leslie speaker spinning away. Distorted bass and guitar slowly come in as Carmen Appice and his double kick contributes to the haze of sounds. The noises come together and bleed into a cover of The Zombies, “She’s Not There”.
For those that don’t know, Vanilla Fudge plays 100% cover songs, they always have. The renditions never sound like the original. They can include gospel sounds or different tempos and totally different arrangements. They play psychedelic ear candy, this is what they do.
The song intros included stories about Robbie Krieger of The Doors and I especially liked the one about Led Zeppelin opening for Vanilla Fudge. How do you know you’re seeing a legit band from the golden age of rock and not some posers? That’s right, baby…a five minute drum solo by Carmen Appice who is still a world class drummer!
My favorites were nearly everything but if forced to list a few I would say;. “Season Of The Witch” which was done in the eeriness of 100% blue lighting. “Break on Through” and I forgot how much I like “Take Me For A Little While”.
The closer was as expected, “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”. The story beforehand was remarkable. Mark said how the music was done in one take. He added that when starting the song, none of the band knew the next seven minutes would change their lives forever. He seemed genuinely thankful.
When the band returned for the encore, we took our place standing at the stage. We were treated to a couple Led Zep songs that were given the loungey, jazzy, spacey treatment like only Vanilla Fudge can deliver.
The musicianship was top shelf to the highest degree. The vocals and especially the harmonies were spot on which is amazing given the 60 year gap between the original recordings. I would go see them again and next time before the show starts I will shout as loud as I can, “Rock and Roll”!
All I have left to say is, Well Done!
Set List
She's Not There (The Zombies)
Break On Through to the Other Side (The Doors)
People Get Ready (The Impressions)
Gimme Some Lovin' (The Spencer Davis Group)
Take Me for a Little While (Trade Martin)
Stop! In the Name of Love (The Supremes)
Shotgun (Jr. Walker & The All Stars)
Drum Solo
Some Velvet Morning (Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood)
Season of the Witch (Donovan)
You Keep Me Hangin' On (The Supremes)
encore
Dazed and Confused (Led Zep)
Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You (Led Zep)
Where: Kent Stage (Kent, OH)
When: Rocktober 8, 2026
I’m not sure when it happened but I’m becoming more comfortable seeing retro bands. Some qualify as concerts and others are more like thumbing through an old photo album of memories. Maybe my problem was never with the bands themselves but being with the type of people that see retro bands!
I have never owned an album by Vanilla Fudge but I’m from an age adjacent era once removed. Additionally, I consider myself a connoisseur of music so it’s not a stretch to spend an evening with a band from the late ‘60’s.
I say that I have never owned an album but don’t disqualify me as a fan, I have always considered “Keep Me Hangin’ On” to be the gold standard for covering a song and making it your own. Have you ever seen the band’s appearance on the Ed Sullivan show doing that song? Check it out if you haven’t seen it because it is certainly one of the most powerful TV performances of that era or any era.
That was 1967, it is now 2026. What we have now is three of the four original members and 100% of all living members. That constitutes ‘real deal’! This isn’t a retro band by name with only one or in some cases no original members. The original members here are Mark Stein on the Hammond, Vince Martelli on guitar, Carmen Appice on drums and newbie (16 years) is Pete Bremy on a five string bass. All members contribute vocals.
Kent is a college town so the sidewalks and the many bars and restaurants are always busy when school is in session. Kent Stage was a movie theatre that was converted to a concert venue and holds 650 people. The lobby area and restrooms have been updated and give a clean first impression when going from the entrance (ticket/merchandise area) to the theatre. The theatre itself seems relatively unchanged except for the new stage and the in-house sound & lighting. When I say unchanged…yes, I’m talking about old (and small) theatre seats! The theatre checks all the boxes for small town charm right down to the three sided marquee hanging over the sidewalk, “Tonight, Vanilla Fudge”.
Mrs. Buckeye and myself take our seats in the front row. Did I mention we had front row seats? (smiling) I have to say that this concert is tailor-made for people of advancing years. There is no opening band and the show starts at 7:30 which means normal bedtime is achievable and medication cycles will not be interrupted. This is important for older people in attendance; I do not mean Mrs. Buckeye and myself.
Lights dim and the band takes their places to a smattering of applause. A lone voice is heard from the crowd that clarifies just where and when we are, “Rock and Roll”! Ha, I remember when every concert had dozens of people including myself screaming this mantra in the minutes leading up to showtime. Back then it seemed normal but now just a little dated or somebody functioning on muscle memory.
Sooo… before a show I often say this in a whispered yell only loud enough for Mrs. Buckeye to hear and I always get the desired look, “You’re an idiot”. I am now properly inspired to once again decree the call to arms before a show, “Rock and Roll”! I can’t wait until our next concert together.
The lights dim and the video screen behind the band goes into psychedelic colors and designs. Whirling sounds come from Mark Stein’s Hammond with the mandatory Leslie speaker spinning away. Distorted bass and guitar slowly come in as Carmen Appice and his double kick contributes to the haze of sounds. The noises come together and bleed into a cover of The Zombies, “She’s Not There”.
For those that don’t know, Vanilla Fudge plays 100% cover songs, they always have. The renditions never sound like the original. They can include gospel sounds or different tempos and totally different arrangements. They play psychedelic ear candy, this is what they do.
The song intros included stories about Robbie Krieger of The Doors and I especially liked the one about Led Zeppelin opening for Vanilla Fudge. How do you know you’re seeing a legit band from the golden age of rock and not some posers? That’s right, baby…a five minute drum solo by Carmen Appice who is still a world class drummer!
My favorites were nearly everything but if forced to list a few I would say;. “Season Of The Witch” which was done in the eeriness of 100% blue lighting. “Break on Through” and I forgot how much I like “Take Me For A Little While”.
The closer was as expected, “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”. The story beforehand was remarkable. Mark said how the music was done in one take. He added that when starting the song, none of the band knew the next seven minutes would change their lives forever. He seemed genuinely thankful.
When the band returned for the encore, we took our place standing at the stage. We were treated to a couple Led Zep songs that were given the loungey, jazzy, spacey treatment like only Vanilla Fudge can deliver.
The musicianship was top shelf to the highest degree. The vocals and especially the harmonies were spot on which is amazing given the 60 year gap between the original recordings. I would go see them again and next time before the show starts I will shout as loud as I can, “Rock and Roll”!
All I have left to say is, Well Done!
Set List
She's Not There (The Zombies)
Break On Through to the Other Side (The Doors)
People Get Ready (The Impressions)
Gimme Some Lovin' (The Spencer Davis Group)
Take Me for a Little While (Trade Martin)
Stop! In the Name of Love (The Supremes)
Shotgun (Jr. Walker & The All Stars)
Drum Solo
Some Velvet Morning (Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood)
Season of the Witch (Donovan)
You Keep Me Hangin' On (The Supremes)
encore
Dazed and Confused (Led Zep)
Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You (Led Zep)
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