Carmine Appice, renowned as the originator of rock drumming in its many forms — hard rock, heavy rock, metal, speed metal, and virtually any style where power prevails — has more than made his mark in musical history, with credits including seminal psych/prog band Vanilla Fudge, blues and boogie monsters Cactus, power trio Beck, Bogert & Appice, Ozzy Osbourne, Blue Murder, KGB, and Rod Stewart. Appice's "Realistic Rock" books and dvds are global best sellers and his clinics attract capacity crowds.

Sabian senior marketing manager Wayne Blanchard commented:

"Carmine Appice is a giant among giants. He not only created rock drumming and introduced such concepts as bigger drum sizes, Chinese cymbals, gongs, electronics, and many other things that have become commonplace in contemporary drumming, he has inspired drummers ranging from John Bonham and Bill Ward to every young drummer playing rock today… though they may not realize that he is the very root of their style. His name was also on the first signature series cymbal introduced by Sabian."

Last year, in August 2006, German percussionist David Friedman was given a KOSA Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the art of vibraphone playing and education.