On May 6th 2007 I got free tickets to see one of my fave groups “Deep Purple” at the Nottingham Arena. There were three groups on including a very good “Thin Lizzie” tribute band. Half way through the evening Jean and I were were escorted backstage to meet the great purple ones ! We spent about half an hour chatting to them – they made us very welcome. I’ll always remember sharing a bourbon and coke with my heroes.
For those of you interested in such things, the current line-up is Ian Paice, drums, (still the best drummer on the planet); Don Airey, keyboards, (a superb replacement for the great Jon Lord); Ian Gillan, vocals, (certainly still one of the best rock singers around); Steve Morse, guitar, (brilliant guitarist, but I still favour the one-and-only Ritchie Blackmore); finally Roger Glover, bass, (still undoubtedly one of the best bass-players around, and an all-round super bloke).
Notable bits from the conversations :
I carry around in my wallet tickets from the best concert I have ever been to – the last night of Deep Purple’s “Burn” tour in 1974. I showed these tickets to Ian Paice, who was quite tickled by it. When he saw the entrance fee he yelled, “2 quid ??!!”.
When I suggested that Ian Gillan had made millions from the royalties on co-writing “Smoke On The Water” alone he grumbled, “I might have done if I owned the copyright !”.
When I said to Don Airey that he must have one of the most impressive CVs on the music scene he replied, “I prefer to refer to it as my catalogue of shame !” He and Roger Glover were extremely friendly, down-to-earth blokes.
Jean spent a fair time talking to Steve Morse. When he found out that I was a guitarist he gave me a “Steve Morse”-inscribed plectrum, “for your collection”.
I spent a fair time discussing recording techniques with Roger Glover, which I’ll no doubt eventually put into practice in my own recording studio.
Some years ago I met one of my guitar heroes, Gary Moore, when he was playing with “Collosseum II”. I mentioned this to Don Airey, who said “Do you remember the young keyboard player who was with him at the time ?”. Aaaah, of course ….
After we’d met them we were escorted back to our seats, and were treated to a superb performance by our new mates. The tour was supposedly the “Rapture Of The Deep” tour, their last album, but in fact they only played one song from it. The rest of the set was all the old favourites. They played their classic album “Machine Head” in its entirety, (including, of course, the best rock song ever, “Smoke”), together with notable songs from other great albums.
Remember the young keyboard player who was with him at the time ?”. Aaaah, of course ….
After we’d met them we were escorted back to our seats, and were treated to a superb performance by our new mates. The tour was supposedly the “Rapture Of The Deep” tour, their last album, but in fact they only played one song from it. The rest of the set was all the old favourites. They played their classic album “Machine Head” in its entirety, (including, of course, the best rock song ever, “Smoke”), together with notable songs from other great albums.
What a night – they were fantastic. We won’t forget that in a hurry !!