![[hand]](/hs-pics/portraits/hands/mcbride3.jpg)
![[face]](/hs-pics/portraits/faces/mcbride1.jpg)
One thing led to another
Nic Simper has published the next chapter of his memoir, dealing with the immediate aftermath of his dismissal from Deep Purple and consequent stint with Marsha Hunt.
I had a visit from the Deep Purple road crew, Ian Hansford and Mick Angus, who had come to collect the Jaguar. It was good to see them again and to hear the story of what they had witnessed. According to Ian and Mick, it was decided before the end of the second US tour that a new singer was needed. I knew that the band would have kept this from me as they knew that I would have insisted on Rod being told, as had happened with Bobby Woodman.
It seems that at the time there was no intention of getting rid of me as well. Mick Underwood reinforced this story, saying when Blackmore approached him in a quest to find a new singer, there had been no mention of a bass player. With Episode Six on the verge of collapse, Mick did not hesitate to recommend Gillan. Obviously, he was now very interested, in contrast to the time when I had offered him the job! Mick and Ian continued with the story of how Gillan was to be brought to the recording studio to learn the song, hence my being told not to return until evening when, according to the roadies, I was to be informed that Ian was joining the band.
Continue reading on Nick’s website.
On a slightly related note, borderline on trainspotting, here is an interview with Andy Scott of Sweet fame that keeps weaving in and out of the Purple jungle. Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Nick Simper, Ronnie James Dio, and Graham Bonnet all get a mention. Worth checking out even if you’re not a Sweet fan, as Andy is a fabulous storyteller.
Thanks to Arch on both counts.
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
Interesting story. Marsha Hunt and her band used The Who’s Hiwatt amps at the Isle of Wight, and even Moon’s Premier drumkit!!!!
September 24th, 2025 at 00:52Nick sure has a good memory for all these places, situations, people and names, I wonder if he kept a diary of sorts. This stuff happened 55 years ago!
Wainwright’s Gentlemen with – audibly – Ian Gillan and Mick Tucker:
https://youtu.be/27UzddgRyOo
September 24th, 2025 at 05:51Saw the new version of Sweet at the Sellersville Theatre in Pa two months ago very good band and time. Love is Oxygen long version.
September 24th, 2025 at 11:48Marsha with Nick at Bilzen 1969:
https://youtu.be/0IivZbTtJas
Going out without a dedicated drummer and just percussion was a brave move, but I’m not sure it worked, Osibisa this certainly wasn’t (and Osibisa always had a dedicated drummer + percussion!).
https://youtu.be/FgBX203c9tk
https://youtu.be/keSn0GhKqfc
Yup, Osibisa is another eclectic choice of “Heavy Metal Uwe”, I really like ‘em, probably a leftover from my Kinshasa days.
Marsha sure had something, I can understand that ole Lothario Mick!
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/mick-jagger-secret-love-letters-auctioned-300k/
Ooops!
https://kolorblindmagazine.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/mick-jagger-holding-karis-jagger-as-a-baby.jpg?w=634
Family reunion:
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTpTIaNdedgdgpFmkakHG-k3aTrQvHL2kjzlw&s
So now we know who to thank for this gem:
https://youtu.be/3B0Y3LUqr1Q
Aren’t wimmin at the heart of all things?
September 24th, 2025 at 12:36That long version of Love Is Like Oxygen with the Mike Oldfield’ish middle part was a work of art!
https://youtu.be/oc1sgCT7X2c
It was around the time Sweet decided to no longer attempt to be like a working man’s DP, but rather give emulating 10cc a try. 😎 Whether bubblegum, glam, hard rock power pop or 10cc – Sweet always had identity issues. 🤗
September 24th, 2025 at 12:47