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Vince Martell (born Vincent James Martellucci, November 11, 1945)[1] is an American guitarist best known as the lead guitarist for Vanilla Fudge. Martell was born in the Bronx to parents who played the guitar and encouraged him to play as well.[2] While in his teens, Martell joined the Navy, where he discovered his skills as a guitarist.[2]
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Vince Martell | |
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 Martell performing at the Regent Theater in Arlington, Massachusetts on March 26, 2011 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | November 11, 1945 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Hard rock, psychedelic rock, rock and roll, blue-eyed soul |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1966–present |
| Labels | Rhino, Atco, Spectra |
| Website | Official Vince Martell web site |
In 1963, Martell moved with his family to Florida and soon joined a band called Ricky T & The Satans Three that played in Miami blues clubs and shrimp bars in Key West.[2] In 1966, he formed the band The Pigeons with organist Mark Stein, bassist Tim Bogert and drummer Joe Brennan.[2] After Brennan was replaced by Carmine Appice and a record deal forced the band to change its name, the band became Vanilla Fudge.[2]
After the breakup of Vanilla Fudge in 1970, Martell continued to perform until Vanilla Fudge reunited for another album in 1984 called Mystery. In 2000, he released his first solo CD, Endless High, followed in 2001 by a self-titled CD, Vince Martell. In 2002, he recorded a third solo CD as a tribute to Jimi Hendrix, whom Martell had befriended when Vanilla Fudge and Hendrix toured together.
In 2005, Vanilla Fudge reformed with all the original members including Martell, Mark Stein, Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice, for a tour with The Doors and Steppenwolf. In July 2006, Vanilla Fudge recorded a tribute to Led Zeppelin, Out Through the in Door. As of 2023, Martell continues to tour with Vanilla Fudge, and his own band, the Vince Martell Band with Peg Pearl (keyboards/vocals), Pete Bremy (Bass/vocals), Russ T. Blades (drums) and TigerBill Meligari (drums).
Vince along with fellow original members Bogert, Stein and Appice opened for Deep Purple (at the band's request) on August 7, 2007 at Radio City Music Hall, continuing to tour in this lineup in early 2008.
Vince and Mark Stein appeared on The "My Music" series on PBS in March/April 2008. They are seen performing "You Keep Me Hangin' On" with backing musicians from Mark Stein's solo band. Vince and Mark Stein soon thereafter began performing around the country together as "Vanilla Fudge's Mark Stein and Vince Martell" with a new rhythm section featuring JimmyJack Tamburo from Mark Stein's band on drums, and Pete Bremy from Vince's band on bass. This lineup toured throughout the summer of 2009.
In April 2008 Vince Martell signed with Collectables Records as a solo artist. His Endless High album, which originally appeared in 2000 was re-released on Spectra Records.
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- 1967: Vanilla Fudge
- 1968: The Beat Goes On
- 1968: Renaissance
- 1969: Near the Beginning
- 1970: Rock & Roll
- 1984: Mystery
- 2000: Endless High
- 2000: Vanilla Fudge – The Return / Then And Now
- 2001: Vince Martell: Lead Guitarist of Vanilla Fudge
- 2002: Pyschedlic Cymbals
- 2005: Vanilla Fudge – Out Through The In Door
- 2009: Vince Martell – Comin' to Get Ya
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