146. Carmine Appice - Star Studded Return!

146. Carmine Appice - Star Studded Return!

Author: VRP Rocks March 30, 2026 Duration: 31:22
In this episode of VRP Rocks, Paul Stephenson welcomes back legendary drummer Carmine Appice — one of rock’s most enduring and well-connected musicians. Carmine returns to talk about the brand new Cactus album, Temple of the Blues 2, a powerful blues-rock release packed with an incredible all-star lineup. Featuring contributions from Dee Snider, Joe Lynn Turner, Billy Sheehan, Rudy Sarzo, Tracii Guns, Bumblefoot, Pat Travers, Ted Nugent and many more, this is a record built on collaboration, creativity and serious musical firepower. In the interview, Carmine reveals how the album came together, from hand picking the songs and players, to building each track layer by layer, and managing a project that brings together some of the biggest names in rock. We also dive into standout moments from the album, including “The Red Rooster”, and the story behind its eye-catching video, plus how this project evolved from the success of the first Temple of the Blues release. If you love bluesy hard rock, great musicianship, and behind-the-scenes insight into how major collaborative albums are made, this is one you won’t want to miss. 🎸 Temple of the Blues 2 is released April 3rd — available to pre-order now on CD, vinyl and digital formats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a certain magic in hearing the stories behind the music directly from the people who created it. VRP Rocks-Classic Rock Interviews is built on that simple idea, offering long-form conversations with the legendary artists who defined an era. Each episode features a different iconic figure, with an impressive roster that includes more than thirty Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees. Hosted by UK radio veteran Paul Stephenson, the discussions go beyond the greatest hits to explore the personal memories, studio sessions, and touring tales from the heart of rock's glory days. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of the creativity, chaos, and camaraderie that fueled classic rock, all presented with a deep respect for the genre and its history. This isn't just a series of quick promotional chats; it's a thoughtfully produced podcast dedicated to preserving these narratives. For anyone who has ever wondered about the real stories behind the anthems, this podcast serves as an essential oral history, recorded for fans who want to listen closely.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

VRP Rocks - Classic Rock Interviews
Podcast Episodes
141. Greg T. Walker - Blackfoot / Lynyrd Skynyrd [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:07
In this brand-new episode of VRP Rocks, legendary bassist Greg T. Walker (Blackfoot, Lynyrd Skynyrd) joins Paul for an epic two-part conversation you won't want to miss. First, we dive into Greg’s new band, Two Wolf, who…
Vinny Appice - My 5 Favourite... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:16
Legendary drummer Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio) returns to VRP Rocks to reveal his 5 favourite albums from his own incredible career. From iconic metal milestones to hidden gems, Vinny shares the stories behind the m…
Carmine & Vinny Appice - Share Memories of Rick Derringer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:20
In this special episode of VRP Rocks, legendary drummers Carmine and Vinny Appice pay tribute to their friend and former bandmate, Rick Derringer, who sadly passed away just a few weeks ago. The brothers share personal s…
Rick Derringer Remembered  - Interview with his Drummer Kenn Moutenot [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:06
This week on VRP Rocks, we pay tribute to the late Rick Derringer, the iconic guitarist, singer and songwriter behind Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo and countless other rock staples. Joining me is Kenn Moutenot, Rick’s long-…
Supergroups Only Rock Experts Will Remember [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:02
This week on VRP Rocks, things take a slightly different turn! With a couple of last-minute interview cancellations and a holiday just around the corner, Paul dives into a really fun topic — "10 Supergroups and Side Proj…
Simon Kirke - My 5 Favourite Bad Company Songs! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:27
He’s back! Legendary drummer Simon Kirke returns to VRP Rocks for the third time, and this time it’s all about the songs that defined a band and a legacy. In this special edition of My 5 Favourite, Simon takes us inside…
140. Steve Postell - David Crosby / The Immediate Family [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:15
In this special episode of VRP Rocks, guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer Steve Postell joins Paul Stephenson to talk about his incredible musical journey. From his deep personal and creative connection with David…
Nathan East - My 5 Favourite... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:10
He’s back! After a brilliant deep-dive into his incredible career on last week’s episode, legendary bassist Nathan East returns to VRP Rocks – this time to take on My 5 Favourite. In this special episode, Nathan reveals…
139. Nathan East - Eric Clapton/Phil Collins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:54
You've heard his basslines your whole life — you just didn’t know it. In this incredible episode, Nathan joins Paul to share jaw-dropping stories from his decades at the top of the music industry. Hear how he got his sta…
138. Russ Ballard - Breaks Down His Iconic Hits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:49
Russ Ballard is back on VRP Rocks! In this exclusive interview, the legendary singer, songwriter, and musician talks to Paul about his brand new double album Songs from the Warehouse: The Hits Rewired. Russ opens up abou…