Cactus
Formed in 1969, the original Cactus consisted of Rusty Day (vocals), Jim McCarty (guitar, ex- Mitch Ryderand Buddy Miles’ Express), and two former members of Vanilla Fudge, Tim Bogert (bass) and Carmine Appice (drums). Their exciting, uncompromising brand of hard rock was best displayed on ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, but internal disputes hampered their progress. Day and McCarty left to join Detroit in 1971, but although a reshaped line-up completed RESTRICTIONS, the initial rhythm section abandoned their creation to form Beck, Bogert And Appice. Recent arrival Duane Hitchins (keyboards) then instigated the New Cactus Band with Mike Pinera (guitar, ex- Iron Butterfly), Roland Robinson (bass) and Jerry Norris (drums), but the group disintegrated in 1973.