Blabbermouth has several quotes from Candice Night’s apparently recent interview to a New Jersey radio station WRAT 95.9.

Honestly, from our perspective… You probably can read a lot of the interviews that Ritchie’s done in the past… since he hasn’t been with Purple anymore. It would be hard to find one where Ritchie doesn’t say something [positive] about Gillan; he just doesn’t talk about him in a negative context — he never does.

Every once in a while, we’ll be told by somebody or something will come up on a flash on the Internet where one of the guys over there [in the PURPLE camp] will say something [negative] about Ritchie, and we’re, like, ‘Why?’ Like, ‘Here it comes again. Why?’ I mean, it’s never coming from over here. He’s so far beyond it.

Ritchie’s always in the now; he’s in the present. He’s doing what he’s doing and he doesn’t have time for the B.S. of whatever else is going on — gossip and rumor and all that stuff. But at this point, I would say that things are cool with everybody — I would like to say that. As far as I know, they are.

I think Ritchie’s talked… For a few years, he’s said he would be willing to go on stage and do a couple of concerts with PURPLE; he said he would have no problem with doing that.

On Blackmore’s absence at the RnR Hall of Fame induction ceremony:

It was a very tenuous situation… I think there was a couple of things, building blocks that happened. One of them was that the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame waited so long that Jon was no longer with us. That is just awful. And the fact that PURPLE… It’s not like they’re a new band; they’ve been around forever. They were one of the first ones to incorporate classical… I mean, listen to the classical riffs and progressions that he’s doing on ‘Highway Star’. They created their own genre; they were amazing. This is not a little band that you’re just discovering and going, ‘Oh, let’s bring some attention…’ These guys were a staple; they were a force to be reckoned with, and they’ve been around for decades. So to wait this amount of time and then for Jon to have gotten pancreatic cancer and died, so he wouldn’t even be able to enjoy that honor. I think that kind of got to Ritchie where he was, like, ‘You know what…’ Ritchie was a founding member with Jon — it was the two of them that started this whole band. So I think that really kind of was like a big knife in the heart for Ritchie to see [what happened] with Jon.

Thanks to Blabbermouth and Andres for the info.

Japanese national broadcaster NHK will air The Ritchie Blackmore Story documentary in the wee hours of December 24 between 00:45 and 02:45. The show is called “Wakaku Club” (洋楽倶楽部 ザ). It appears the film will probably be slightly cut down to fit into the time slot and edited with Japanese commentary from Seisoku Ito, rock music critic, and Kazuo Hirose, Burrn magazine chief editor.

Thanks to Akemi Ono for the info.

When I first heard about the hologram tour I had rather mixed feelings. For those who do not know, what I am talking about: Wendy Dio (widow and manager of Ronnie James Dio), Jeff Pezzuti (CEO of Eyellusion, the company that came up with the idea) and the Dio Disciples (kind of an official DIO tribute band, which features some former members of DIO’s latest line-up) teamed up to keep the legacy of Ronnie James Dio’s music alive. Their latest idea is to bring late Ronnie James Dio back on stage as a hologram. This hologram is acting in line with recorded live vocals of the renowned rock singer while the drummer is listening to a “click track” to synchronize the live band with the hologram.

While I was curious about how the hologram would look like I also feared that it could negatively impact some very good memories regarding Dio’s real live appearances. With only two days left to go, I decided to avoid reading what people, who have not even seen the hologram, had posted and to attend the concert in Cologne to make up my own mind.

I regard the hologram tour as an offer, an offer of people who do not want Ronnie James Dio to become “a footnote in rock history” (Jeff Pezzuti), an offer of musicians who invest their own lifetime in bringing Ronnie’s songs on stage for fans and people who have not had a chance to see Dio live. An offer of the Eyellusion team, which invested a lot of money to realize the hologram to make their dream come true.

Are they doing it for the money? Yes, to a certain extent they do, like almost everyone of us. We all have to earn our money to make our living. But I doubt that this is the driving force behind the hologram tour. There are definitely more convenient and safer ways for all of them to make money. I assume that both, the creation of the hologram and bringing it on tour are high-risk investments. The claim “Bringing Ronnie James Dio back on stage” is causing so much controversy – and is in my opinion the wrong marketing approach – that it could strongly backfire on all those involved.

So why would a drummer like Simon Wright bow himself to a click tune? Why would Craig Goldy, who has written and recorded two wonderful songs as a personal tribute to Ronnie – which I regard the best output of former Dio members since the passing of the rock icon – would play live on stage to support a 3D puppet? I assume that the driving force behind all this work really is “to keep the legacy of Dio’s music alive”, to honor the man who probably had a great impact on the lives of all involved.

Is a hologram the best, the right, the only way? I doubt it, but it is one way and it is an interesting one. A way that did not work for me though. As it is still far from being perfect. The hologram lacked all the charisma, the warmth, and the personal approach that the real Ronnie could get across to me. The figure seemed to be a puppet, the movements were somewhat choppy, the proportions did not seem to be right and sometimes the subwoofers turned the face into a grimace. Watching it, however, brought back some real good memories. Later in the evening I learned, that the hologram will evolve during the tour. While I can understand this, I worry that unfavorably experiences from the tour’s beginning may negatively impact the future ticket sales. The management should clearly communicate that the hologram is still work in progress.

Having shared so many thoughts on the hologram, let me put it aside now to reflect on the rest of the show. Unfortunately, it had a severe technical problem: The two live singers – who sang about half of the songs – Oni Logan and Tim Owens could not be heard – at least not from my position in the front row. [This is often the case in the front row, for obvious reasons. — THS] It seemed that the microphones were either not turned on or their volume was too low in contrast to the instruments. Only at the beginning of a song, when the instruments were almost quiet, I could hear what great singers the two are. But once the music reached its flight altitude, visual and acoustic signals fell apart: While I could see the vocalists almost wearing themselves out on stage, I could not hear them – a strange experience that almost made me laugh.

The venue “Die Kantine” was far from being sold out, I suppose that around 200 people came to see the show. Therefore, I had no trouble at all finding a place in the first row. The musicians entered the stage at 8:30 p.m., starting with a song accompanied by the hologram. Throughout the 70 minutes show which included one encore song, the band played Ronnie’s most popular songs from the Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio days, including “Straight through the heart”, “Rainbow in the dark”, “Tarot Woman”, “Heaven & Hell” and “Catch the rainbow”. Some were performed as recorded “live lyrics” from Ronnie James Dio while others were sung by Oni Logan and / or Tim Owens. (Little side note on Tim Owens: I am still not used to a musician being obviously sponsored by an energy drink company. He wore a sweatband and a cap with the product logo and when he took off the cap after one song he positioned it carefully with the logo facing towards the audience on a microphone holder). Since a couple of songs were played as medleys, the band managed to squeeze many popular songs into the limited time frame. Many people’s favorite “Stargazer” was not part of the Cologne setlist as it is taking turns with “Kill the King” from concert to concert. If I remember correctly, material from Ronnie’s activities since the 1990s was not presented. That’s interesting since apart from Craig Goldy, the other current band members were – as far as I recall – not involved in any of the songs they played.

To sum it all up: I had low expectations towards the hologram itself and that was a rather wise attitude. To put it right, I acknowledge the hologram idea, it is innovative and while it did not work out for me, it may lead to interesting experiences in the future – if only the band and the Eyellusion team get the chance to continue working on it. The sound problems were an unlucky coincidence, but they will most likely not occur in other venues. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the evening! I listened to some of my favorite songs feeling the energy that they only develop while being played live. I had the chance to meet people who share a similar taste of music and I was even lucky enough to meet some musicians and technicians backstage after the show. I had some nice conversations with the band members and got some “insights” talking to Craig Goldy (guitar), Bjorn Englen (bass), Scott Warren (keyboards) and Jeff Pezzuti (Eyellusion). And I am looking forward to new material that is currently being mixed.

Timo Teichert

The latest issue of the Planet Rock magazine features Deep Purple on the cover and a 15-page feature inside.

With the band set to celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2018, we join Purple on tour in Stockholm and London to hear how the monumental In Rock album set the classic Mk. II line-up on the path to superstardom. Frontman Ian Gillan also explains why the Long Goodbye tour doesn’t spell the end for this ground-breaking musical institution.

The issue went on sale December 15th and can be ordered online via greatmagazines.co.uk.

Thanks to Yvonne for the info.

Back in 1993, at the age of seven, my daddy brought my little brother and myself to Oslo. Wearing the worlds largest jacket, I got earmuffs at size of my thigh and placed at a chair in the middle of Oslo Spectrum. I was about to see my first concert with Deep Purple.
Since then I`ve been back to see the band, who has formed most of my musical childhood, 10 times. We have seen Ritchie Blackmore drifting his own way, replaced by Steve Morse.
We have said goodbye to the late Jon Lord (RIP), and whished Don Airey welcome. I named my first car “Highway star” to honor this lads and my little brother was humming “Smoke on the water” before he could talk.
Yesterday I attended my tenth, and probably the last Purple-concert. It was great.
The same crowd of middle-aged men without rhythm, kids who recently discovered new heroes and old rockers with messed up bear and worn t-shirts made the atmosphere electric.
Don Airey earned a place in my, at the time, 16 year old heart by playing four excerpt from Peer Gynt, and made the basis of eternal admiration by playing the same piece this time.

The guys on stage is in their 60-70tees, but my god what a concert. I can only kneel down and pray to any Rock-God that I will be in the same shape when I pass 70.

Thank you guys! I promise: I will brainwash any kid in my immediate vicinity with your music for many years

Pia Dahlen

Deep Purple live at O₂ Arena (London, UK 2017-11-23)

Saw the boys last night for the 14th time. Stretching back to the first time with Tommy Bolin in 1976. But this was the first time out of my home of Southern California. With Thanksgiving and my 60th birthday plus Purple all the same day, I had to make the trip. What a difference. In the US, it’s been double billed shortened shows with little emphasis on the new music. Last night at O2 was easily the best show I’ve seen in a decade. And the fans were so much a part of it. Happy to be with a crowd that appreciates Purple as much, or more than me. I thought it to be a great offering all the way around. A memorable night. I’ll appreciate the music and “Pictures of Home” from this show for the rest of my days. Fantastic.

review by Martin Paretti

Back in July Sverige Radio published an interview with Roger glover, done at his home in Switzerland. Roger baked a banana bread and talked about what he wants to do when he grows up. The interview itself is in English and starts about 2’15” into the clip.

Bonus: Roger’s banana bread recipe

• 1.25 dl butter
• 2.5 dl sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3-4 ripe bananas
• 3.5 dl wheat flour (he used whole wheat)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 175C.

Mash bananas in a bowl, add butter warmed to the room temperature, eggs and sugar. Mix well. Add flour and baking soda and mix to a smooth paste. Add vanilla extract. You can also add crushed walnuts or other nuts and stir. Pour the batter into a greased baking pan and bake 40-50 minutes in the middle of the oven. Probe with a stick towards the end of baking. The bread is ready when the stick is dry. Allow to cool and remove bread from the pan.

ps. 1 dl = 100 ml = 3.4 fl oz

Enjoy!

Thanks to Yvonne for the info.

The acclaimed documentary From here to inFinite about the making of Deep Purple’s latest album will be shown on German TV channel Nitro this Thursday, November 23, starting at 23:05.

The film, of course, has been released on blu ray earlier this month, accompanied by a plethora of bonus material.

Thanks to Axel Dauer for the info.

It has been quite a while since Joe Satriani played with DEEP PURPLE, but he’s back with a new album and a G3 tour in January.

The G3 tour will feature Joe Satriani, John Petrucci and Phil Collen for the US leg and replace Phil Collen with Uli Jon Roth for the European dates.

For further details and tour dates visit Joe Satrianis website.

Deep Purple live at Jäähalli (Helsinki, Finland 2017-11-11)

What a great show again. The band just gets better and better with the approaching dead line (!) The crowd and the band both were so enthusiastic. Icehall was full of DP fans and they showed their love for the band. Bedlam, Fireball, Bloodsucker, SKoW. What a start for a concert! Great vibes. The four songs really worked well. After that some “light jazz”: All I Got is You! What a nice piece of music it was with Paicey being the centre piece of the groove. After that I must have lost the sense of the running order of songs but at least these were played: Surprising and Birds of Pray from InFinite album; Lazy, Smoke and Space Truckin from the Machine Head album. From Perfect Strangers album there were two songs played: the title track and Knockin at Your Back Door! This was a big surprise for most of the audience. Uncommon Man for the late Jon Lord. In his solo number Don Airey played some Sibelius, actually quite an extensive section of Finlandia on piano. It was greeted with roaring applause. Encore: Green Onios, Hush, Black Night with a longish bass solo by Mr. Glover. It was kinda funky. It was all fun. Great night! Hope to see the band next year again in Helsinki 😉

review by Rajaseudun Rampe