Get Psychedelic With Vanilla Fudge

Vanilla Fudge was one of the first American groups to infuse psychedelia into a heavy rock sound to create “psychedelic symphonic rock,” an eclectic genre which would, among its many offshoots, eventually morph into heavy metal. Although, at first, the band did not record original material, they were best known for their dramatic heavy, slowed-down arrangements of contemporary pop songs which they developed into works of epic proportion.

On Sunday, March 2, at 7 p.m. Vanilla Fudge, the iconic psychedelic symphonic rockers, take the stage at The Suffolk in Riverhead.

The band toured extensively behind its covers-heavy, jam-oriented debut album, “Vanilla Fudge,” to expand their fan base. “Vanilla Fudge,” the album, was released on June 2, 1967 the day after The Beatles released their Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The Vanilla Fudge first album rose up the charts to #4 without the aid of a big hit single.

In 1968, Vanilla Fudge headlined the Fillmore West with Steve Miller. The group then performed “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” on The Ed Sullivan Show, and released their second album, “The Beat Goes On.” Despite its avant-garde conceptualization and execution, the LP was a hit and climbed into the Top Twenty. That summer, Atco reissued “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” and the second time around it climbed into the Top Ten. It was followed by “Renaissance,” one of Vanilla Fudge’s best albums, which also hit the Top Twenty.

The band had three albums in the Top One Hundred, two of which were in the Top Twenty and one in the Top Five Single. The band toured with Jimi Hendrix, played dates equal billed or headlined with groups such as Cream, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, among many others; late in the year, they toured with the fledgling Led Zeppelin as their opening act.

In 1969, while immersed in extensive touring, Atco released the expansive, symphonic-tinged record, “Near the Beginning.” Among the group’s many TV appearances on legendary shows were Dick Cavett, Merv Griffin Show and David Frost, among others. The group did a TV commercial for Braniff Air, and also recorded a radio commercial for Coca Cola with guitarist Jeff Beck, a fill-in for Vince Martell who was unable to be there that day. This event gave rise to the eventual creation of a Cream-styled power trio featuring Beck, Bogert and Vanilla Fudge drummer Carmine Appice.

Exhausted by the constant touring, the Vanilla Fudge decided that the late 1969 European tour would be their last. Following the release of their final album, “Rock & Roll,” they played a few U.S. farewell dates and disbanded in early 1970.

Vanilla Fudge reunited in 1984 and recorded a new album, “Mystery,” which also had Jeff Beck as a guest artist. In the summer of 2006, the original Vanilla Fudge reunited to tour with The Doors of the 21st Century; it culminated in a VH-1 special, “Decades of Rock.” The group currently continues to tour in the USA. In August of 2007, they performed at Radio City Music Hall with Deep Purple another opening act for the Fudge in the sixties. Critics praised the Vanilla Fudge’s performance that night as one of their greatest.

On October 15, 2006, Vanilla Fudge were inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame by Felix Cavaliere for their contribution to music history. Also in 2006 they recorded a tribute to their old friends, Led Zeppelin, by creating their own interpretations of their music on their CD, “Out Through the In Door.”

Citing continuing health issues resulting from a severe motorcycle accident some years earlier, Tim Bogert retired from touring in 2010. Pete Bremy, who played bass for Vince Martell’s solo project and subbed for Bogert many times since 2002, took over for him. They performed on the “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” show on NBC and released their most recent studio album, “Spirit of ’67” in 2015.

Tickets are $39 to $65 at thesuffolk.org. The Suffolk is at 118 East Main Street in Riverhead.