Cactus is the American Led Zeppelin. Those are tall words, but that is in fact what people were saying about Cactus when this first super group hit the scene in 1970. A veritable powerhouse, the group included bassist and vocalist Tim Bogert, drummer Carmine Appice, guitarist Jim McCarty, and singer Rusty Day. The band flamed out brightly at the end of 1972 after only four albums: Cactus (1970), One Way ... Or Another (1971), Restrictions (1971), and 'Ot 'N' Sweaty (1972). Despite the band's brief time together, however, rockers such as Van Halen, Monster Magnet, Kings X, Billy Sheehan, David Coverdale, Kid Rock, and Ted Nugent have been documented in interviews as fans of the loud and proud `70s sensation.
Today, Cactus is back! The band performed its first show since the '70s at B.B. King Blues Club in June 2006, and the party continues tonight as the new incarnation of the group leaps from the woofers and knocks you out of your chair. Featuring original members Appice and McCarty, the group has released a new album, Cactus V (2006), on Escapi music.
