Rock legend Carmine Appice has released “United States,” a patriotic anthem created in collaboration with the late Rick Derringer, in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. The track carries an emotional weight that extends beyond its subject matter: Derringer, who passed away last year, recorded the original song five years ago and asked Appice to add drums, but the project remained unreleased until now.
The decision to revive the track for the nation’s milestone anniversary gave Appice a meaningful context for completing what his friend and collaborator had started. After contacting Derringer’s wife Jenda to retrieve the recordings, Appice had the track remastered by Pat Regan and collaborated with Dom Esposito on an accompanying music video.
“I remember really liking the song,” Appice recalled, describing the collaborative process of working with Jenda “to celebrate Rick and the 250 years of our country.” The result is both a patriotic statement and a tribute to a musician whose contributions to rock and roll spanned decades.
Derringer’s career included landmark work as a guitarist, songwriter, and producer, with credits ranging from his own hits to production work with artists across multiple genres. The posthumous release adds a bittersweet dimension to a celebration of national identity, connecting the spirit of musical collaboration with the broader themes of legacy and remembrance.
Appice, meanwhile, continues to push forward with his band Cactus. Their new album Temple of Blues II, released through Cleopatra Records, features a reimagined version of the blues classic “Back Door Man” with guest appearances by Eric Gales and Billy Sheehan. “I wanted to create a real blues album this time,” Appice explained, drawing inspiration from Howlin’ Wolf’s classic material.
The “United States” music video is available on YouTube, with the single streaming across all major platforms.
