Cactus (American band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Studio albums, live albums, compilation albums, singles |
Cactus is a rock group from the United States, established in 1969. The current lineup includes lead vocalist Jimmy Kunes, guitarist Paul Warren, drummer Carmine Appice, bassist Jimmy Caputo, and harmonica player Randy Pratt.[1][2]
Formation and Early Years (1969–1972)
In late 1969, former members of Vanilla Fudge—bassist Tim Bogert and drummer Carmine Appice—formed Cactus,[2] after plans to collaborate with guitarist Jeff Beck were halted due to Beck's injury. By early 1970, they added blues guitarist Jim McCarty, previously with Mitch Ryder's Detroit Wheels and the Buddy Miles Express, alongside vocalist Rusty Day from the Amboy Dukes.[2]
This original ensemble released three albums under Atco Records: Cactus (1970), One Way... or Another (1971), and Restrictions (1971). Internal disagreements resulted in McCarty leaving by the end of 1971,[2] followed by the dismissal of Day.[2] The band's fourth album, 'Ot 'n' Sweaty (1972), featured Bogert and Appice alongside Werner Fritzschings on guitar, Duane Hitchings handling keyboards, and Peter French (formerly of Leaf Hound and Atomic Rooster) as vocalist. Shortly before the group's breakup, guitarist Ricky Ramirez took over from Fritzschings.
Breakup and Subsequent Projects (1972)
Following Cactus's split in 1972, Bogert and Appice joined forces with Jeff Beck to create Beck, Bogert & Appice. This trio released a studio album titled Beck, Bogert & Appice in 1973, as well as a live album recorded in Japan, Beck, Bogert & Appice Live (in Japan) (1973). The group disbanded soon after; recordings from their second studio effort and final performance at London's Rainbow Theatre in 1974 have yet to be released.
Rusty Day, a prominent figure in Detroit’s rock community, sought to resurrect the band Detroit, which originally branched off from the Detroit Wheels and featured musicians such as Steve Gaines and Ted "T-Mel" Smith. Although attempts were made to sustain the band’s progress, it was short-lived. A 1973 recording called The Band Detroit – The Driftwood Tapes documents performances by Rusty Day, Steve Gaines, and others.
Separately, Duane Hitchings assembled The New Cactus Band without any original members from Cactus. They produced one album entitled Son of Cactus (1973). Guitarist Mike Pinera (previously with Blues Image and Iron Butterfly), bassist Roland Robinson, and drummer Jerry Norris played significant roles. The band toured across the Midwest and East Coast during 1973 with drummer Bobby Caldwell (Captain Beyond) and bassist Charlie Souza (formerly associated with Gregg Allman). The group dissolved shortly thereafter; their only album reached No. 183 on the US Billboard Top 200 chart.
Rusty Day's revived Cactus (1976–1979)
In 1976, Rusty Day brought Cactus back together in Longwood, Florida, enlisting Steve "Kahoutek" Dansby on guitar, John "Soybean Slim" Sauter handling bass, and Gary "Madman" Moffatt on drums. This formation endured until roughly 1979, marking the longest-lasting 1970s lineup of the group. Although there were rumors about demo sessions or a new album, no official studio recordings have been found; only a handful of live recordings are available online.
Tragically, on June 3, 1982, Rusty Day and his son were fatally attacked in their Longwood residence by unidentified individuals believed to be connected to drug-related crime. This case remains unresolved.
Reunion and current era (2006–present)
Cactus resurfaced in June 2006 with a broadcast on The Radiochick Show in New York City, followed by their first live performance since 1972 at B.B. King's Blues Club on June 3. This event served as a prelude to their reunion gig at the Sweden Rock Festival in Norje, Sweden on June 9. The 2006 ensemble included original members Appice, Bogert, and McCarty, complemented by former Savoy Brown lead vocalist Jimmy Kunes. Harmonica player Randy Pratt joined for the New York and Sweden appearances. That year also saw the release of their album Cactus V.
In 2008, Jim McCarty departed and was succeeded by Werner Fritzchings on guitar. Following Tim Bogert’s retirement from touring due to health concerns, Elliot Dean Rubinson assumed bass responsibilities.
McCarty returned in 2011 while Pete Bremy replaced Bogert on bass. Bremy, who also performed with Vanilla Fudge, became the sole non-original member to play in both bands. The lineup in 2012 featured McCarty, Appice, Kunes, Bremy, and Pratt.
Early in 2016, Carmine Appice announced via social media that a new album titled Black Dawn would be released by late May. After some postponements, the album was launched in September alongside a supporting tour that began with the Cactus CD Release Party. The record comprised eight fresh tracks plus two previously unreleased songs from the original band’s archives recently uncovered by Appice.
In 2017, Jimmy Caputo took over bass duties while Paul Warren, known for his work with Rare Earth, Richard Marx, and Rod Stewart, joined on guitar after McCarty stepped back from touring due to health issues.
On January 13, 2021, Tim Bogert passed away at age 76 after a prolonged battle with cancer.
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Title | US 200 | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Cactus | 54 | Atco |
| 1971 | One Way... or Another | 88 | |
| Restrictions | 155 | ||
| 1972 | Ot 'N' Sweaty | 162 | |
| 2006 | Cactus V | — | Escapi |
| 2016 | Black Dawn | — | Sunset Blvd Records |
| 2021 | Tightrope | — | Cleopatra Records |
| 2024 | Temple Of The Blues: Influences And Friends | — |
Live albums
- Tokyo Nights (2014)
- The Birth Of Cactus - 1970 (2022)
DVD
- TKO Tokyo: Live in Japan (2014)
Compilation albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Cactology: The Cactus Collection | Rhino |
| 2004 | Barely Contained: The Studio Sessions | Rhino Handmade |
| Fully Unleashed: The Live Gigs | ||
| 2007 | Fully Unleashed: The Live Gigs Vol. 2 | |
| 2010 | Ultra Sonic Boogie: Live 1971 | Purple Pyramid |
| 2013 | Cactus/One Way... or Another | Hear No Evil |
| Restrictions/'Ot 'N' Sweaty |
Singles
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | "You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover" | Atco |
| 1971 | "Long Tall Sally" | |
| "Token Chokin'" | ||
| 1972 | "Evil" | |
| "Bringing Me Down" |
None of these singles achieved placement on the Billboard charts.