Lead Guitarist of Vanilla Fudge Comes to River Edge

As a performer with Vanilla Fudge, rocker Vince Martell has been everywhere. He performed at Madison Square Garden, twice on the “The Ed Sullivan Show”, as well as Joey Bishop’s show, Dick Cavett’s show, and other talk stalwarts like Mike Douglas, David Frost and Merv Griffin. And on Saturday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m., Martell will perform at the Christian Community Church of River Edge on Bogert Road as part of the Fireside Café.

Martell, in a telephone interview, said he is excited to share his faith and play some good music. He also said he enjoyed sharing a story or two from his days in Vanilla Fudge back in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

“It was fun,” said Martell. “We had Led Zepplin open for us for several gigs in 1968.”

Martell said he knew they were going to be big.

“Robert Plant actually reminded me of the blues style of Janis Joplin,” said Martell. “He was able to hit notes she was and his stage performance was very similar.”

Martell said he had not intended to become a musician, because as a child he was interested in joining the U.S. Navy.

“I got into music thanks to my mom and dad. We were a big Italian family from New York City and we would have family-get- togethers and we would eat and play music. But I wanted to be a pilot, so I enlisted when I was 17 years old,” said Martell. “When I was stationed in Norfolk, I was actually in a band.”

After getting out of the service in 1965, Martell was in the city and received a card for drummer Joey Brennan (who organized the Fireside Café event) from a musical contact. The two eventually formed the Pigeons which later became Vanilla Fudge.

“We had a lot of fun playing,” said Martell. “We traveled all over. At one point we were in England and that is where we met the members of Led Zepplin.”

Martell said Vanilla Fudge also toured with the Doors and Jimi Hendrix and the band cemented their place in musical history with “You Keep Me Hangin’ On.”

These days, Vanilla Fudge had reformed for a reunion tour, and Martell, who lives in South Jersey, enjoys smaller church venues to share his faith.

“My faith means everything to me and I could not even take a breath without acknowledging it,” said Martell. “This life is just a test and reward is in the next life. I view God as the music and I am pleased to the be the instrument.”

To keep up with Vince Martell, visit his site here.