Cactus is an American hard rock band that found its roots in the early 1970s, sometimes referred to as "The American Led Zeppelin" due to their explosive and bluesy style. The band originally formed in 1970 with a lineup that included bassist Tim Bogert and drummer Carmine Appice (both formerly of Vanilla Fudge), guitarist Jim McCarty (from the Detroit Wheels), and singer Rusty Day (from Ted Nugent's Amboy Dukes). Their music blended elements of blues, rock, and boogie to create a heavy, yet groove-oriented sound that heavily influenced the developing genre of hard rock and early heavy metal.

Throughout their early years, Cactus was known for their dynamic live performances and released several albums including their self-titled debut "Cactus," "One Way...Or Another," and "'Ot 'n' Sweaty" before disbanding in 1972. Over the years, the group experienced multiple resurgences with various lineups, releasing albums like "V," "Black Dawn," and multiple live recordings such as "Live in The USA" and "TKO Tokyo Live In Japan." Cultural shifts and industry changes haven't swayed the band's commitment to their signature sound, and their more recent releases like "Evil Is Going On: The Atco Albums 1970-1972" serve both as a testament to their enduring legacy and a solid introduction for new listeners discovering their raw, energetic brand of rock 'n' roll.

Genres

Blues Rock

Proto-metal

Psychedelic Rock

Related Artists

John Mayer

Jimi Hendrix

Eric Clapton

Stevie Ray Vaughan

Gary Moore

Buddy Guy

Jeff Beck

Joe Bonamassa

Peter Frampton

Latest Release

Purple Haze

Cactus•

Melanie

Single - Released August 29, 2024