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Rest in peace, rocking abbot

One of the more unusual members of the extended Purple family has passed away. The ‘rocking abbot’ Notker Wolf has died on April 2, 2024, at the age of 83. In 2008, he arranged for Deep Purple to play a gig in the picturesque abbey courtyard in Benediktbeuern, Germany, just south of Munich. His own […]

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Dave Hodgkinson — gone, but not forgotten

David Hodgkinson, who has died aged 58, was a technologist, programmer, and software engineer. Quite possibly, he will be remembered more for his huge footprint in the online fan community for veteran British hard rockers Deep Purple. This is certainly the case for most readers of this obituary, published as it is on the website […]

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In memory of Janine Morse

Steve Morse writes in his website: Yesterday, February 4, at 2:40pm, I said my last goodbye to my beloved wife, Janine. We had been in a period of remission which lasted not nearly long enough. But luckily, I was able to spend virtually every day with her as she found workarounds to get through some […]

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Maria Moita author passes away

Our contributor from Brazil Marcelo Soares writes: Legendary bossa nova composer Carlos Lyra has died today, December 16, 2023, at the age of 90. You may not be a bossa nova fan, but you definitely have heard of at least one of his songs, Maria Moita — the riff, originally written by Tom Jobim for […]

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Mr. Udo RIP

The legendary Japanese concert promoter Seijiro Udo, widely known as ‘Mr. Udo’, has passed away at the age of 92. He was responsible for bringing Deep Purple to Japan for that historic tour in August 1972, and every subsequent visit of the band to that country. His company UDO Artists issued the following statement: It […]

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Endearingly laid back

Geir Myklebust reprints in his blog a heartfelt eulogy to Tommy Bolin penned by Geoff Barton for the December 11, 1976, issue of Sounds. HEARD ABOUT Tommy’s death last Sunday morning. The news hit hard and low. I hadn’t known him particularly well, but there was always — shall always be — a place for […]

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Bernie Marsden R.I.P.

Another sad day in the family — Bernie Marsden has passed away at the age of 72. His PR people released the following statement: On behalf of his family, it is with deep sadness we announce the death of Bernie Marsden. Bernie died peacefully on Thursday evening with his wife, Fran, and daughters, Charlotte and […]

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Mo Foster R.I.P.

Roger Glover posts a eulogy to an old friend Mo Foster: Deep sadness at the news that Mo Foster has died. I met him on the Butterfly Ball sessions in 1974 and we always remained friends. Not only was he a warm and charming man but an inspiring bass player and endowed with a superb […]

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Reaching up into the stars

Ritchie Blackmore pays tribute to the late Jeff Beck: First met Jeff Beck around 64-65 and it was a session where we were both playing guitars and Jimmy Page was producing. I couldn’t believe how incredible he was, not only with his technique but his sound too. I became a fan of his ever since. […]

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That time when Jeff Beck played bass for Tommy Bolin

The news of Jeff Beck’s passing prompted us to chase down the rabbit hole for the possible family tree connections. Cozy Powell, of course, got his proverbial feet wet in the Jeff Beck Group. And Tommy Bolin played his last concert opening for Beck. The Bolin/Beck connection actually goes quite a bit deeper. It was […]

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