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Coverdale and Hughes talk to Rolling Stone

Glenn Hughes, David Coverdale at the RnR HoF induction, Barclays Center, NYC, April 8, 2016; photo: Timothy Clay

Hot on the heels of their induction, Rolling Stone has an interview with David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes, which they call an interview with Deep Purple. We’ll forgive them, for they do not know what they do.

On the conspicuously absent Ritchie Blackmore:

Glenn Hughes: Here’s the deal: I tried to coax him into it, but I had somebody that’s on the inside of our community that he was going to show up, and I said — on Twitter, goddammit — “I hear Ritchie’s going to show. Wouldn’t it be great for the fans?” And I got such a telling off by his camp, and I said, “I’m really sorry, I really heard that he was coming.” It was a little scary for me; I just wanted to be friends, you know? David and I can’t figure out why and the fans can’t figure out why.

DC: Ritchie’s an interesting character. He’s got his own story and I think he knows that. Glenn and I share each other’s story for over four decades. And we’ve stayed very much in touch. This is the first time I’ve seen Ian Paice for over 20-something years and he worked with me in Whitesnake with Jon Lord. So it was fascinating to reconnect, but the root of a happy family is total lack of communication, I understand.

GH: I did the Jon Lord tribute at the Royal Albert Hall a few years ago. I did get to see everybody and say goodbye to Jon, which was a really magnificent evening. But the whole thing is, Jon not being here because he’s deceased, and Ritchie not being here, is a little strange. But we’ll continue. The band is important… I dedicate this to the fans.

Read more in Rolling Stone.



73 Comments to “Coverdale and Hughes talk to Rolling Stone”:

  1. 1
    Andy Thompson says:

    I consider myself to be Purple so no harm done ?!

  2. 2
    Joe A Favinger says:

    Me too

  3. 3
    George Varela says:

    Come taste the band ?

  4. 4
    Милан Милатовић says:

    The fact is, these two are probably more relevant than the remaining lingering line up of the current Deep Purple.

  5. 5
    Andrew Sunter says:

    Both Coverdale and Hughes would come crawling anytime Blackmore called their name

  6. 6
    Brewster Pallan says:

    Coverdale tried to be involved in Blackmore’s upcoming tour! He was turned down!!!

  7. 7
    Lorenc Quni says:

    I was turned down also lol

  8. 8
    Keith Livingstone says:

    It was nice to see the DP Lite members have a night out…?

  9. 9
    Keith Livingstone says:

    I was going to go on a rant but I just sum up what I was going to say in one word…bollocks.

  10. 10
    Drumhead88 says:

    I have a lot more respect for David and Glenn now. Not that I didn’t have any for them before. MK2 will always be THE Deep Purple Line-up. For me MK2 started it all. And MK3 Continued it. Coverdale and Hughes should have performed with Purple at the HOF. They could have done Highway Star first then have Glenn and David come out and perform Burn with Don, Steve and Ian Paice. Then everyone perform Smoke.

  11. 11
    Alket Kellici says:

    How do you know? or this some kind of joke ?

  12. 12
    MacGregor says:

    As the saying goes Mr Hughes, it ain’t rocket science! If us mere mortals, the ‘fans’, ‘knew’ that Blackmore would not attend, well enough said! Secondly, don’t mouth off with, of all things, twitter rubbish, or facebook gossip, what a load of bollocks they both are! Why do certain people think that it is important to be seen waffling on with twitter & facebook? Keep it private, as JLT found out with the woeful attempt at his ‘comeback’ with Rainbow! Think before sending. Cheers.

  13. 13
    Stephen James Smith says:

    Blackmore is a child, history, no more, spoiled brat, had his day, done. Morse has been an intrinsic part of DP for 22 years, bringing the highest-quality of musicianship to complement that of Jon Lord, Don Airey, and the rest of the band – and without the histrionics.
    Again: 22 years!

  14. 14
    Kåre B says:

    Two great representatives for Deep Purple!

  15. 15
    Rick Fritzinger says:

    I totally agree, with Ritchie it was nothing but turmoil !!!

  16. 16
    Richard Alblas says:

    Hear, hear! Don’t get me wrong, I love both their contributions to Purple. But if those contributions are good enough for an award, then Steve and Don should be inducted as well. Seems common sense to me.

  17. 17
    Милан Милатовић says:

    Steve and Don are good musicians. But they have contributed nothing to Deep Purple’ career. Imagine a concert where they play only the songs that Steve Morse wrote. They would not be able to fill a tavern.

  18. 18
    Scott Nicum says:

    Same solo for each song from Morse. He is no dummy. I am sure Dixie Dreg royalties don’t even come close to the terrible Bananas album. Keeps mouth closed and sees the world. You could have put any guitarist in there as long as they tolerated Gillans ego. I am sure he gets fed up with it. Give Blackmore credit for dealing with Gillan long enough to make some great music.

  19. 19
    Brian Young says:

    Wow, not quite. Morse is terrible and generic. He is a non-presence there. Not only has his 22 years been strangely unrecognizable, but he is riding on the fame of Blackmore’s previous work, who created the group initially. I think you don’t understand how being a creator and artist works, and then the ‘system’ works. Amazing lack of insight…

  20. 20
    James Gemmell says:

    As good as Hughes, Coverdale and the current Purple get along, I wonder if they might join the lineup for a couple songs on tour, or on a future album?

  21. 21
    Nigel Bear Davies says:

    That was in 2012, they couldn’t come to mutual terms…

  22. 22
    Nigel Bear Davies says:

    Blackmore wrote and Blackmore played, Morse just follows, no real personality.

  23. 23
    Ben Henderson says:

    22 years. And they still play Blackmore songs. Get real.

  24. 24
    Ben Henderson says:

    There’s fuck all conspicuous about it. Ritchie was told not to turn up. Bruce Payne. Thanks. You twat.

  25. 25
    Blackwood Richmore says:

    Thus, it ever was… Some people want it, maybe they need it. Some people don’t. Individuality is not such a bad thing… & everyone’s content. Amen. Smiles to to ya!.

  26. 26
    Brett Rains says:

    If those two are supposedly so chummy, how come they couldn’t be bothered to cross the stage & sing with each other at the induction concert?

  27. 27
    Brett Rains says:

    And I’ve always been a big Blackmore guy, but screw him. He’s a big, petulant baby now. He wants everything to be about him. He could care less about Deep Purple.

  28. 28
    Alket Kellici says:

    right on brother! He is such a prick and spoiled old man!! he could have shown up and do right by his fans,but he is always been an egotistical controlling freak! shame on him.Great Player and musician but a totally weird turn off person.

  29. 29
    Alket Kellici says:

    seriosuly Coverdale relevant ?! he is been desperately trying to recycle his old Whitesnake with a generic so called temporary sound and it is awful,not to mention his last couple of albums of Whitesnake have been nothing but mediocre poor efforts.Hughes had a great thing going on with Black Country until his ego got in the middle and blew the band off,but he still very active and keeps making some good music.I think the current Purple are relevant and I cannot wait for therir last album with Bob Ezrin

  30. 30
    Милан Милатовић says:

    Alket Kellici None of them are on top of their game any more. However, DC and especially GH, at least have some of their vocal capabilities left in them. Gillan has virtually none. The same goes for their music. Current DP is the most boring ensemble today. They have not produced any music above plain mediocre in the past 20 years. If not for they past glory, they would not even be invited to play at a high school prom. Od course, this is only my opinion, but a rather strong one. 🙂

  31. 31
    Ferida Exposta Exposta says:

    Respeitamos o Mk III…

  32. 32
    johny says:

    Mk.3 reunion still not happening big sighs !!

  33. 33
    Jouko Juntunen says:

    Hmmm…if Blackmore didn’t want to be there, that’s HIS decision. If he was told off by Gillan, that sucks. By the way, I love almost all Purple line-ups. Been a Purple-freak over 30 years. People who think that only MK2 was good, they don’t have a clue! Enjoy your favourite records instead of this stupid hate contest.

  34. 34
    Nigel Bear Davies says:

    Blackmore and Lord were responsible for everything Purple were. Let’s be honest the current purple are running on the Blackmore/Lord legacy. Blackmore management was initially informed by Bruce Payne that he would not be welcome to play with Purple, can you really blame him for not attending, there is pride and principle at stake. Blackmore may have had egos but he’s just do damn good I don’t give a toss!

  35. 35
    John Victor Oetomo says:

    rod evans did he come last night?

  36. 36
    Hårstad Roy A says:

    He wasn’t told not to show up by anyone. He was told that the band wasn’t interested in a on stage reunion with him. That’s what you get for being an a-hole the first, second and third time around. Blackmore has only one person to thank. Himself! Blackmore is my religion, but his personality sucks. That’s why the band wouldn’t reunite with him. He could’ve showed up to do fx Burn with Coverdale and Hughes, but he choose to sulk like a little boy instead. As so many times before.

  37. 37
    Hårstad Roy A says:

    No.

  38. 38
    Ben Henderson says:

    http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ritchie-blackmore-says-deep-purple-manager-wont-let-him-attend-rock-hall-induction/

  39. 39
    黎君灝 says:

    Talk about a show without any song written with blackmore…

  40. 40
    Paul Flewitt says:

    Did Morse write Highway Star? Black Night? Smoke On The Water? Don’t think so. Blackmore, Lord, Glover, Paice and Gillan are the definitive, classic Deep Purple and for Ritchie not to be there is a travesty of the highest order.

  41. 41
    Wiktor says:

    Glenn Hughes cant figure out this and he cant figure out that, I cant figure out what he´s doing there in the first place accepting this (mk II) award… Did he write or co-write Speed king, Child in time, Fireball, Black night, Highway star, Smoke on the water, Lazy, Space trucking, Woman from Tokyo, Perfect strangers? He didnt even co-write the only decent song from the Mk III group – Burn. He´s just a phony doing stupid interviews for stupid american magazines that hasnt got a clue about Deep Purple…. the “real” Deep Purple… that is… The only “family” member that stood out and stood up and made me proud was of course Mr Blackmore who refused to be part of this american nonsense, he´s still the man!

  42. 42
    al says:

    @ 2 i know what you are saying but you I’d rather listen to their music,that the crap that is around .They are still a great live ban,capable of producing good shows.I have been very critical of their albums and producing,but the last one was a very good one,and it shows you when they work with a good world class producer they can do something good stuff.I d rather this current Deep Purple line up over that ridiculous Blackmore\s night outfit every,that is playing the same old same old crap,pop bubble gum boring music.Let’s not forget dude,how many people in the early 70’s are playing out there and selling and playing music.I think Deep Purple should play less and travel less and concentrate more in the studio.It is too much of chore especially for Gillan’s voice.

  43. 43
    Paul Carucci says:

    No one rember deepurple’s song written after 1974.

  44. 44
    Paul Carucci says:

    Blackmore vs Morse: not started.

  45. 45
    Paul Carucci says:

    Ian Paice ? Ian Gillan ? Roger Glover? where are them?

  46. 46
    nupsi59 says:

    and again: Steve Miller wasn’t amused about RARHOF!

    Read it: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2016/04/08/steve-miller-rants-rock-hall-fame-induction-ceremony/82824082/

    Have a nice Day!

  47. 47
    John Victor Oetomo says:

    I asked for Evans not Paice Gillan Coverdale etc….thanks

  48. 48
    Gary Baldwin says:

    Hate contest is over. Gillan won.

  49. 49
    RB says:

    Even though I think the Hall Of Fame is nonsense I am pleased for those in the band that feel honoured to be part of it. The current lineup looked a little awkward on stage, kind of going through the motions. I saw an interview with Ritchie from February and he says he has no interest in awards or the induction, he clearly was never going to go, but tried to blame the current band and his former manager for his not attending, it’s just his silly games. I don’t understand all the negativity towards Gillan. His voice isn’t like it was in his youth and he struggles on the older material, but he is much better on Now What?! as it’s written for his current range. I don’t think he’s a bad chap, he may be opinionated but who doesn’t have a point of view. I’ve met him and he was very gracious, and is genuinely humbled by the support from fans. Give the man a break, he’s accomplished so much and has written and recorded some astounding music over the years (more than Glenn has), so on occasion be nice to the man and take pride in what he has given us.

  50. 50
    LRT says:

    So much utter nonsense. @4 Said by the irrelevant. @6 Wrong, it was the other way around. Coverdale declined the BN circus! @38 YAWN! They decide who plays, not a former member of the band. What kind of retardation is this theoretical nonsense anyway? Poor press trying to stir things up is all that was. If anything Blackmore whining for about a week before the fact that he wouldn’t be able to play at the HOF even if he wanted to. That’s what you get for scheduling a hand operation weeks before the event. So, if you think Ritchie himself wanted to be there and even more outlandish wanted to play, then just follow a f’n calendar! Out with the crap here at the least cutting edge of what’s constantly going on with Purple. Talk about a waste of vision, this is hilarious. Purple blew the doors off the Barclay Arena and left the crowd educated.

  51. 51
    LRT says:

    @30 You have cotton in your ears. Yes, Glenn still sings well but he never knew how to use it. Try writing something besides the same song, that always helps as well. Coverdale sounds good? Oh dear. Gillan sounds bad? It’s not 2004, might want to check in on the situation since 2007. Vocal coaching always helps, but apparently Coverdale won’t go there, at least not with a good one.

  52. 52
    tim says:

    How sad really that for a couple of hours they couldn’t put differences behind them to celebrate what they created,even at their advanced ages some act as children .
    David Coverdale appears to be the only one who actually grew up over the last 15 years ,realising the futility of ludicrous arguments and disagreements from decades ago,he smiles he gets on with it and lives every day as it should be lived.
    We are all now in our 50’s 60’s and beyond most of us have moved on and grown up from feuds of years gone by would be nice to think before they all expire they could do the same

  53. 53
    Arthur says:

    Well done and congratulations to all the Deep Purple inductees. Nice one Ritchie for not turning up, gives us all something to talk about ?

  54. 54
    mario barrientos says:

    Es increible el ego de Ian Gillan al no permitir que Coverdale y Hughes se subieran al escenario a intepretar Burn como un clásico de Purple que es. Dice no querer saber nada de Blackmore pero siguen girando eternamente con las canciones clásicas que escribio El Hombre de Negro; se queja de que a Morse y a Airey no los tomaron en cuenta pero, entonces porque en sus giras no tocan nada de los albumes donde han participado estos 2 músicos? Salvo canciones del disco que promocionen no tocan nada del Purpendicular, Abandon, Bananas o Rapture of the Deep haciendo obvio que no han podido producir música que pase el examen del tiempo. Él mismo en sus giras solistas toca material de Purple escrito por…Blackmore entonces de que se trata. Sólo se trataba de hacer una noche especial con todos los miembros y ex miembros de Purple y no repetir el mismo acto que vienen haciendo hace incontables años pero en versión reducida.

  55. 55
    junk alot says:

    “David Coverdale appears to be the only one who actually grew up over the last 15 years ” I agree. I would also add Glenn Hughes to that list.

    It is disappointing on how Ian G. acted. I do not think his other band mates would have followed suit if not for him. He is the one that needs to grow up!!!

  56. 56
    Ade says:

    Blackmore has the last laugh. He sold out 15000 tickets on presale for the Birmingham concert in 2 days. Purple nowadays cannot sell half that amount in 6 months. Also I’m sure that Jon Lord would have been disgusted with the way Purples management have behaved on such a special occasion for the band and their fans.

  57. 57
    Matt D. says:

    All the debate about who’s better or who said what and did what is ridiculous. Bottom line is that most musicians have egos. How many bands stay together for 40 years without lineup changes or even last 10 years. None.

    Blackmore is Purple but at the same time he killed Purple. Gillan has proved he can stay with the same lineup for 25 years Blackmore hasn’t. If it was up to Blackmore he would have killed Purple in 72, 73, 74, 75, 85, 87 and he finally walked out in 93. We are lucky he stayed long enough to get the albums we got after Fireball.

    As for the induction for me its simple. Mark 2 ONLY should have been inducted. I love all incarnations and most of the music is great but the fact is that Mark 2 made the impact on music culture. Mark 1, 3, 4, 5 etc had no impact except on the die hard fans.

    Coverdale should “possibly” be in the hall for his life time work as part of DP, WS, Page and solo stuff. Hughes has no business accepting an award.

  58. 58
    peter chrisp says:

    Politics, excuses, what ever the reasons why members past & present were not included at least one good thing whether it’s Mark 1,2,3,4 they finally got inducted can you ask for anything better than that. Now we all know what we think of the Hall Of Lame sorry Hall Of Fame, we can argue ’til we are black & blue, this band should have got in, that band should have been included oh why didn’t such and such get in. How hilarious was Lars’s induction speech you could not have asked for a more clear & concise, and so funny i was and the audience were in absolute stitches brilliantly done.

  59. 59
    Nanne Andersson says:

    That was weird….

  60. 60
    Adel says:

    Those two guys contribution to Rock is immense and their live shows are still way better than anything around.
    I am hoping for a live collaboration that includes their DP, whitesnake,BCC and Glenn Hughes materials all in one big live show. They are worthy winners of the RARHOF induction.

  61. 61
    Adel says:

    junk alot @55
    You hit the nail on the head big time. Well said and you are absolutely spot on. Gillan is running the show when it comes to decision and the rest of the band mates are just puppets.

  62. 62
    Ivica says:

    David at the ceremony was the fittest of all
    Speech / paper / rhythm of speech, dressed style, Made in Hollywood, David knows how to do …
    Whitesnake The Purple Tour fantastic. Finally witnessed “Mistreated” ,Reb played passionately like Ritchie
    See you summer Slovenia

  63. 63
    MacGregor says:

    nupsi59 @ 46- Yes, Steve Miller, wonderful comments indeed from him! Rolling Stone have released his full rant today, maybe your link has that i haven’t looked at those. Reading rock music news here in Oz this morning & Miller was brilliant! Classic! Cheers.

  64. 64
    Mr T says:

    How come Deep Purple uses the band logotype from Stormbringer? Only Ian paice was involved on that record. I think Mr Gillan was pretty nervous of a mark 3 reunion at the time Jon Lord was around.

  65. 65
    Jeff Summers says:

    I don’t remember Ritchie turning up for JL’s benefit show and he didn’t turn up for the RRHOF Induction. He never (or exceedingly rarely) gets up and jams with anyone and rarely turns up for any music biz awards. Why? Because he does not want to. Plain and simple as that!! It’s got nothing to do with Gillan or Payne, the RRHoF or any other members of the band, he trusts very few people (by his own admission) so please stop blaming everybody but HIM for his absence!

  66. 66
    mondrian says:

    The thing with Blackmore is his poor self esteem. Jaming with fellow musicians in various occasions is a competition for him and not sessions of mutual joy. It´s always a matter of prestige. God forbid if he ever loses his face!
    The interviews with him in the latest documentary say it all – he see things from a child´s view.

  67. 67
    Blackwood Richmore says:

    @ 57 Matt D, ZZ Top, that’s who!.

  68. 68
    Blackwood Richmore says:

    @ 65 Jeff Summers, Ohhh…. you are so right (Nobody else decides for me what I want to do but ME. You may well feel the same way in your own life). Same old, same old, can get repetitive & boring. A certain B.N. keyboardist may well be sweating bullets!. The only constant in life is change, it freshens things up a bit & can lead to bursts of excitement & creativity. Only a fool gives their trust easily, it must be earned. Anyway, you get the general idea… It’s all that & more. Smiles to ya.

  69. 69
    ltia says:

    The real controversy has been lost in all this taking-sides silliness (of people they don’t even know personally!) – Rod Evans was inducted (despite 1980..) and Nick Simper was not.

    I really don’t see how that can be justified.

    Until I realise that it’s the R&RHoF, which is a corporate celebration of celebrity, nothing to do with musicians, as Ritchie himself has said. If it was, he’d be there and Morse and Don Airey would have been inducted, too.

    Basically, it’s just a load of hot air and Purple are about music, not being famous or whatever.

  70. 70
    chris s says:

    Being in a band is like a marriage. They have been divorced from Ritchie for 22 years. There still out there making music and playing to crowds and they have done so with this line up for quite some time. So something is working for them. Getting along is what it is all about. I don’t think Ritchie can get along with people for any long term basis. Look at the Rainbow group. The countless bass players, keyboardists, drummers and singers. If Rainbow ever were considered for induction in RRHOF where the hell would you begin to figure that one out. There would be 25 dudes on stage.

  71. 71
    johny says:

    the living breathing band?? God !!
    22 years. And they still play Blackmore era songs. THE FANS must get real !

  72. 72
    Blackwood Richmore says:

    @ 70 chris s, yes, having previously been married, I can tell you for certain that being able to get along with your partner/s for the long term is the most important thing. Love is an emotion, a feeling, so relationships based on emotions alone can turn quite ugly.
    When the shine wears off, it may be that you would both be better off to find new partners, or go solo if that’s your preference. I would at this juncture point out that Candice & your favourite guitarist have had a quite successful partnership for a very long time now. So there. Smiles to ya!.

  73. 73
    Wurd Stoah says:

    C’est encore une arnaque des américains ce truc là !

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