Vince Martell

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Vince Martell (born November 11, 1945^[1]) is 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]

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 Pidgeons 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, working title Out Through the In Door, scheduled for release in early 2007. Martell continues to tour with Vanilla Fudge, and his own band, the Vince Martell Band with Peg Pearl (keyboards/vocals), Pete Bremy (Bass/vocals), and Russ T. Blades (drums).