Two iconic bands from the sixties came together at The Tralf in Buffalo, NY, on Wednesday, Vanilla Fudge and The Yardbirds. Combined, the groups laid the foundation for rock music’s dominance in the 1970s. They represent the final evolutionary stages of the transformation of American blues into rock, and paved the way for bands like Led Zeppelin, who originally were contemplating the name “The New Yardbirds,” and later opened for Vanilla Fudge.
Of the two acts, Vanilla Fudge is closer to its classic lineup, boasting three of four original members, including drummer extraordinaire Carmine Appice. Perhaps more important is the fact that they retained their classic sound.
Music scholars cite Vanilla Fudge as the band that bridged British blues with progressive rock, and that is a fair assessment. While their set, and career, relied heavily on covers from bands like The Beatles and The Zombies, they put their own indelible stamp on them, transforming popular songs into something new and exciting.
Their hour and a half set was a crowd pleaser, and afterward the entire band met with fans at the merchandise table, shaking hands and chatting with fans.
When The Yardbirds hit the stage, many fans were struck by the appearance of three members who didn’t look old enough to be born when the band formed. In fact, they weren’t. Only drummer Jim McCarty remains to tie the band back to its roots, as guitarist Chris Dreja did not make the trip to Buffalo.
In spite of the lack of original members, the band sounded good. Unlike Vanilla Fudge’s traditional approach to their classic catalogue, the infusion of younger members into the lineup of The Yardbirds added an interesting element to their classic sound.
The younger members have the unenviable task of playing in a band that boasted members like Clapton, Beck and Page. Out of that large shadow young guitarist, Ben King has begun to emerge, playing a Telecaster with reckless abandon. Rather than mimic the legends, he is blazing his own trail.
Fans of rock music were treated to a fantastic night of music with some excellent musicians. For the discerning, it was a fascinating study of what made rock rule the airwaves for so many years, and makes one wonder why it doesn’t anymore.
Set List:
The Yardbirds:
I’m Not Talking
Tinker Tailor Soldier
Drinking Muddy Water
Heart Full of Soul
The Zazz are Blue
Train Kept a Rollin’
Shapes of Things
Five Long Years
I’ll Ignore a Whore
Over, Under, Sideways, Down
Smokesmack Lightning
Little Games
For Your Love
Happenings
Dazed and Confused
Vanilla Fudge:
Ticket to Ride
People Get Ready
She’s Not There
Bang Bang
Take Me for a Little While
Eleanor Rigby
Shotgun
Drum Solo
Good Good Livin
Cross Fade
Season of the Witch
You Keep Me Hanging On
All Photos by Gus Griesinger
We would like to thank Carol Kaye of Kayos productions for providing the credentials regarding The Yardbirds and to Jimmy Caputo from the Vanilla Fudge camp for the photo pass to shoot them.
