They recorded a second studio album, however this remains unreleased to this day.ĭuane Hitchings formed “The New Cactus Band” who released one album ( Son Of Cactus) in 1973. The trio issued one self-titled LP, as well as the live album Beck, Bogert & Appice Live (In Japan), both of which were released in 1973 ( Live was released in Japan only). A fourth and final album ( Ot ‘n’ Sweaty) was issued in 1972, featuring the original rhythm section of Bogert and Appice joined by Werner Fritzschings (guitar), Duane Hitchings (keyboard), and Peter French (vocals) (ex-Leaf Hound and Atomic Rooster).īogert and Appice would eventually join forces with Jeff Beck to form Beck, Bogert & Appice. As a result of intraband troubles, McCarty quit the band at the end of 1971 and Day was fired shortly afterwards. McCarty had previously been a member of Mitch Ryder’s Detroit Wheels and the Buddy Miles Express, and Day came from the Amboy Dukes.Ĭactus signed a record deal with Atco Records three albums with this line-up: Cactus (1970), One Way… Or Another (1971), and Restrictions (1971). In early 1970, Jim McCarty (guitar) and Rusty Day (vocals) were brought in to complete the lineup. When Tim Bogert was forced into retirement after a serious motorcycle accident, Pete Bremy jumped in both in CACTUS and VANILLA FUDGE.This Long Island based rock band was initially formed in 1969 by former Vanilla Fudge members Tim Bogert (bass) and Carmine Appice (drums) after plans to team up with Jeff Beck were cancelled when Beck had a car accident and was out of the music scene for over a year. It would not be until 2006, three decades after the tragic death of Rusty Day, that the group reformed with Pratt and Kunes. While CACTUS saw success from the start and soon built a loyal fan base, by early 1973, the band had collapsed mainly due to lack of real support from its label, and the fact that Beck was now ready play with Carmine and Tim. Together, the four musicians formed CACTUS, named after the peyote cactus, which provided a key ingredient in mind-altering drugs. Tim and Carmine also found vocalist Day in THE AMBOY DUKES with Ted Nugent. ( Appice and Bogert had originally planned a new band with Jeff Beck which was put off until 1973, because of Beck's near-fatal car crash in 1969.) Jim McCarty had come from MITCH RYDER & THE DETROIT WHEELS and was playing with THE BUDDY MILES EXPRESS. Formed in 1970 from the ashes of VANILLA FUDGE by Carmine Appice and Tim Bogert, the initial lineup also featured McCarty and vocalist Rusty Day. Suite 1 & 2: Everlong, All The MadmenĬACTUS has had a long and turbulent history.

'Tightrope' will also give longtime CACTUS fans a reason to cheer as it includes special guest appearances from original CACTUS guitarist Jim McCarty and singer Phil Naro.ġ0. From playing to production and songs, we really took a step up.' They are joined by new lead guitarist/vocalist Paul Warren (ex- Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, Joe Cocker) and James Caputo on bass. Still led by iconic drummer Carmine Appice alongside longtime members Jimmy Kunes on vocals and Randy Pratt on harmonica, 'Tightrope' is, according to Appice, 'one of the best CACTUS albums we've ever done. Now the band has returned with a smashing new album called 'Tightrope' that strikes a delicate balance between powerful, driving rockers and more complex, heady album tracks. The effort will be made available on digipak CD, a deluxe 2LP set with a gatefold jacket and colored vinyl, and, of course, digital platforms everywhere.ĬACTUS came to be known as 'the American LED ZEPPELIN,' a moniker they owned by virtue of their explosive blues rock stylings, subdued yet undeniably brilliant musicianship, not to mention their energetic and vivacious stage presence which made them a staple of arena rock venues around the globe. '70s classic rock legends CACTUS will release their new album, 'Tightrope', on April 2 via Cleopatra Records.

Cactus album 1970