Jan 13, 2021: Tim Bogert, Bassist With Jeff Beck, Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, Dies
by Best Classic Bands Staff
Tim Bogert, the bass guitarist and a vocalist for the hard rock bands the Vanilla Fudge and Cactus, and later as part of a trio with Jeff Beck and Carmine Appice, died January 13, 2021, of cancer. Bogert was 76.
The news was shared by Appice, his frequent bandmate and friend for over 50 years, on his Facebook page, calling Bogert “a one of a kind bass player.”
Appice’s tribute continued. “He was as masterful at shredding as he was holding down a groove, and Tim introduced a new level of virtuosity into rock bass playing. No one played like Tim. He created bass solos that drove audiences to a frenzy every time he played one. And he played a different solo every night. He was the last of the legendary 60’s bass players.
“I loved Tim like a brother. He will be missed very much in my life. I will miss calling him, cracking jokes together, talking music and remembering the great times we had together, and how we created kick-ass music together.”
Bogert was born John Voorhis Bogert III on Aug. 27, 1944, in New York City. He adopted his stage name as he began playing in bands in 1965.
The Vanilla Fudge story begins in 1967 when the producer and songwriter George “Shadow” Morton heard the band–then composed of vocalist-keyboardist Mark Stein, drummer Carmine Appice, guitarist Vinny Martell and bassist Bogert–perform the song that would become their signature tune, a slow and heavy cover of the 1966 Supremes hit “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” at The Action House in Long Island, New York. Morton quickly arranged for the group to record the song, which led to the band signing with Atlantic Records’ Atco imprint.
This ad for the re-release of the single appeared in the July 13, 1968, issue of Record World
Their self-titled debut album followed shortly thereafter and, virtually overnight, the band found itself headlining major bills on both coasts as the album reached #6 on the sales chart. “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” was released as a single in July ’67 one year after the Supremes went to #1 with it but it was only a mid-chart success, reaching #48 on Record World. One year later, though a follow-up album was selling, the song was re-released as a single, and rose quickly up the chart. [Take a careful look at the ad in U.S music trade magazine, Record World. Not only are the photos of the new bands switched, they misidentified the name of Cream’s song.]
This time Vanilla Fudge scored a #6 pop hit, behind such heavyweights as the Rascals’ “People Got to Be Free,” Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild,” Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love” and the Doors’ “Hello I Love You.”
Listen to the single edit of “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”
Morton went on to produce the second and third Fudge albums, 1968’s The Beat Goes On and Renaissance, both of which reached the top 20 and helped continue their rise into the rock stratosphere. Soon, the band was touring with every major rock act, from Jimi Hendrix to Cream to Led Zeppelin, who remarkably had opened for Vanilla Fudge on their very first U.S. tour back in 1968 and early ’69.
“I met Tim when we were just teenagers,” Stein said. “We both loved the same music and shared the same vision of becoming famous. In short time we walked together as Kings. I am deeply saddened by his passing. Tim Bogert wowed the world with his incredible bass playing and undoubtedly was a powerful influence on many of the great bass players that came after him. I will miss him.”
Martell added, “Tim will now live in Eternity where he will rock out to heavenly rhythms… The rest of the Fudge will see you there one day.”
After an exhaustive non-stop schedule between 1967 and 1970, the band went on hiatus as Bogert and Appice formed another classic rock band, Cactus. By 1972, the pair joined superstar guitarist Jeff Beck to form the power trio Beck, Bogert & Appice. Their 1973 self-titled album included their cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition,” with Bogert singing lead.
Jeff Beck released a statement: “Sad to hear the news about Tim’s passing. We shared some good times together on stage and thankfully our mutual work will stand the test of time. His style was totally unique and was never properly recognised. Miss you man.”
Deadline.com reported that at the time of his death Bogert had been working with Beck and Appice on a live album project.
Vanilla Fudge had numerous reunion albums and tours. A 2015 album, Spirit of ’67, featured original members Appice, Martell and Mark Stein, as well as bassist Pete Bremy replacing Bogert, who retired from touring in 2008.
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10 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationWhile I agree, wholeheartedly with everything Carmine says about Tim’s bass playing, Bogert’s background vocals were a huge part of The Fudge’s signature sound. Much like Cream’s dual vocal blends, Vanilla Fudge’s backup vocals were one of the many aspects that made the band sound so original.
I saw him on stage with BBA in 1972 in Bordeaux, France. It was my first concert. What a fantastic bassist ! Rip !
God bless you, Tim.
Vanilla Fudge and Cactus are forever a huge part of my music listening life.
Take a look at that Atco trade ad. They have the pictures mixed up. Whoops. Major mistake.
Not only that, but look at the title of the Cream song: “Sunshine of Your Smile”!
Tim Bogert was a huge influence on me as a bass player; my drummer and I loved the Fudge – R.I.P. Brother Tim!
Tim Bogert one of the best bass players to ever play. I was lucky to see vanilla fudge play in the early days they were great. And I saw cactus too they were the opening act for jimi Hendrix what a show. up in Seattle at the stick stadium. keep on hanging my bro.r.i.p
I jammed at Breakout Management on Long Island with Appice before Bogert showed up. It was fun. Phil Basile had just listened to our tape and introduced me to Appice because he thought I played like Tim Bogert. When Mr. Bogert showed up and looked at my Telecaster bass, modified with a Gibson pickup, he asked if I wanted to sell it after he played it for a spell. I declined. About a year later our band, TON, opened for Cactus. Cactus was sequestered in a room at the theater and protected by a couple of body guards. Years later Tim and I engaged in a nice email correspondence. He didn’t remember our band or me but he remembered my bass and said “oh, you were the guy with that axe?” Bogert DID influence my playing. He was one of the top guns in late 60s rock and a very good vocalist. Vanilla Fudge was actually cited by YES members as an influence. RIP. . .
Saw Fudge, Soft Machine, The Amboy Dukes and Hendrix at Municipal Auditorium Atl Ga. Nov. 68. Must have been high, remember more of Bogert than Hendrix. Also saw Cactus a bunch, BBA too. Keep me hangin’ on permanently burned into my brain.
One of my favorite songs: Evil