Beck, Bogert & Appice

Beck, Bogert & Appice
Company type	Supergroup
Industry	Music
Founded	1972
Defunct	1974
Headquarters	United Kingdom / United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Jeff Beck, Tim Bogert, Carmine Appice
Products	Music albums, live performances

Beck, Bogert & Appice was a hard rock supergroup and power trio formed by English guitarist Jeff Beck, emerging as an evolution from the Jeff Beck Group. The lineup included American bassist Tim Bogert and drummer Carmine Appice, both of whom had previously collaborated in Vanilla Fudge and Cactus.

History

After meeting in 1967, Beck expressed interest in working with Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice, leading to recording sessions held from July 6 to 10, 1969. In early August of that year, Beck hinted at plans to join forces with these seasoned musicians, although contractual issues delayed any official announcement. By November 1969, agreements were close to completion, but Beck’s car accident caused a postponement. Upon recovery, he assembled a new Jeff Beck Group in March 1971.

The second incarnation of the Jeff Beck Group officially dissolved on July 24, 1972. The following day, Beck convened with keyboardist Max Middleton, Bogert, and Appice, adding vocalist Kim Milford to the mix. Rehearsals commenced at the Rolling Stones’ Bermondsey studio in preparation for a U.S. tour initially intended to proceed under the Jeff Beck Group name. Beck aimed to adopt a heavier rock style to better resonate with American audiences.

The ensemble made their live debut as the Jeff Beck Group on August 1, 1972, at Pittsburgh’s Stanley Theater. After six performances, Milford was replaced by British singer Bobby Tench, who completed the tour ending August 19 in Seattle. Following this U.S. engagement, Tench and Middleton exited the lineup; Beck then established a power trio with Appice and Bogert sharing lead vocal duties. Beginning September 16 in the UK, this trio toured under the Jeff Beck Group banner, followed by engagements in the Netherlands and Germany. Their U.S. tour spanned from October 20 to November 11, 1972.

Recording for their self-titled debut album Beck, Bogert & Appice started at Chess Studios on December 11, 1972, continuing into January 1973 at The Village in Los Angeles with producer Don Nix overseeing sessions. The album was released on March 26 in the U.S. and April 6 in the UK during 1973, reaching number 12 on American charts and number 28 in Britain. Critics noted that the studio recordings presented a more subdued sound compared to their energetic live shows.

The trio toured the UK in February 1973 and appeared on French television’s Pop Deux, before embarking on a U.S. tour beginning March 28 where Beck debuted his use of the Talk box effect during performances. This tour paused mid-April but resumed later that month through early May, concluding with a Japanese tour in mid-May.

In July 1973, they participated in several European festivals across West Germany, the Netherlands, and France. A hastily organized U.S. East Coast and Southern states tour started on July 11 but was cut short when Beck departed on July 17.

Live in Japan, released on October 21, 1973, compiled recordings from their Osaka concerts during the May Japan tour. Later that year, a second European tour began in late November and was followed by a British tour running through February 29, 1974.

Their January 26, 1974 concert at the Rainbow Theatre was broadcast in the United States and stands as their final recorded performance. Work commenced on a follow-up studio album that same month but remained unfinished as internal tensions led to the band's breakup by mid-1974, a fact confirmed by bassist Tim Bogert amid circulating rumors.

At Last Rainbow track listing

"Laughin' Lady" (5:53)
"Lady" (7:05)
"Morning Dew" (12:22)
"Superstition" (6:07)
"(Get Ready) Your Lovemaker's Comin' Home" (7:40)
"Blues De Luxe – You Shook Me" (5:34)
"Rainbow Boogie" (11:32) ["BBA Boogie"]

Core members

Jeff Beck – guitar and occasional vocal contributions
Tim Bogert – bass guitar, lead and harmony vocals
Carmine Appice – drums, lead and backing vocals

Lead singers

Kim Milford – performed in six concerts (August 4–7, 1972) alongside Beck, Bogert, and Appice as part of the Jeff Beck Group; departed following the Dallas show.
Bobby Tench – participated in thirteen live performances (August 8–September 19, 1972) with Beck, Bogert, and Appice; joined starting at the Chicago gig.

Keyboard player

Max Middleton – appeared in nineteen live performances; exited together with Bobby Tench.

Special guests

Danny Hutton and Jimmy Greenspoon provided backing vocals and keyboard parts on the album «Three Dog Night».
Pete French and Duane Hitchings collaborated on writing the song «Lady».

Discography

Studio albums

Beck, Bogert & Appice (1973) reached No. 12 on the US chart, certified Gold by the RIAA certification

Live albums

Beck, Bogert & Appice Live (in Japan) (1973)

Compilation albums

Selected BBA tracks included in Beckology (1991)

Box sets

Live in Japan 1973 / Live in London 1974

Singles

"Black Cat Moan" / "Livin' Alone" (UK release, February 16, 1973)
"I'm So Proud" / "Oh to Love You" (United States release, May 28, 1973)
"Lady" / "Oh to Love You" (U.S., July 16, 1973)

External links

BBA interview with Lenny Kaye in Rolling Stone, May 10, 1973, available at Rocks Back Pages
BBA interview conducted by Chris Welch, Melody Maker, September 29, 1973, accessible at Rocks Back Pages
BBA interview by Charles Shaar Murray, published in New Musical Express, September 29, 1973, found at Rocks Back Pages
BBA profile at Legacy Recordings