Mike Eriksson (of the Swedish Deep Purple Forever fan club fame) is posting a series of articles in his blog dedicated to what ended up being the last Deep Purple tour in the 1970s. Which, coincidentally, was happening 40 years ago as we speak — at the end of 1975 and beginning of 1976.

40 years ago now, Deep Purple were about to launch what would become the final tour of the 70s. There´s so much history of interest in those months when it all unravelled out of control and I´ve decided to highlight some of the most interesting highs and lows on this blog. The tour started in Hawaii on November 8, but we´ll get to that.

This version of Deep Purple spent some time in Europe and particularly the UK in October 1975 – Jon Lord, David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes guested on Roger Glover´s “The Butterfly Ball” concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London on October 16, a show that Ian Gillan guested as well. In fact, it was Gillan´s first gig after having left Deep Purple in 1973, and the roar of the crowd got him back into the world of music again. This event also featured actor Vincent Price, whom Deep Purple wrote a tribute to on their last album “Now What?!”. But the interesting thing about this night in London was that a good chunk of the old Purple got to mix with the new.

The plan then was to do the Far East and then turn to America after Christmas, followed by gigs in Europe in the Spring and Summer, and then a second trek of the States followed by a break for other activities (solo albums etc). They didn´t quite make it, and it´s an interesting tale.

Read more in Trinkelbonker (the first 3 parts are rather short):

• Hawaii
• New Zealand
• Australia
• Indonesia
• Japan

Thanks to Mike Eriksson for the info.

Last night I had the privilege of seeing Deep Purple once again, this time at the O2 arena in London. Opening the show was Rival Sons with an energetic set taken mostly from their latest album Great Western Valikyrie. At the conclusion of their performance they were very gracious in their praise of Deep Purple for being so welcoming and supportive during the tour together.
After a 30 minute intermission Purple came roaring out with “Highway Star” which then segued seamlessly into “Bloodsucker”, “Hard Lovin’ Man” (with a great extended solo by Don Airey) and “Strange Kind of Woman” before stopping for breath at which time Ian Gillan told us “that concludes the avant -garde Jazz portion of the show” . The band then ripped into “Vincent Price” after which Steve Morse played a tune vaguely similar to “Contact Lost”, but not quite the same as I remember it – it seems to be a variation, or perhaps a new tune. From there it transformed into “Uncommon Man” and continued into “Well Dressed Guitar”.
Then it was Ian Paice’s star turn with a fine drum solo on “The Mule”. Then onto the stage walked a man with a violin?! Ian Gillan introduced him as Steve Bentley-Klein who then started sparring with Steve Morse until it turned into “Lazy” with a fiddle twist – a nice variation on an old tune! Another nice surprise was “Demon’s Eye”, the first time I have heard Purple play it at a show. Then there was “Hell to Pay”, followed by an eclectic keyboard solo from Don Airey which turned into “Perfect Strangers” . After that it was time for “Space Truckin’”.
We were in for a real treat after that – Rival Son’s guitarist Scott Holiday came on and started jamming with Steve Morse. The jam turned into “Smoke on the Water”. Great to hear the duel guitar sound on that tune, really powerful . At guitar solo time Big Ian said “Show us what you got Scott!” – Scott put his own personal stamp onto the song which was then complemented nicely by another a great solo by Steve. At end of the show Ian G. thanked Rival Sons for a great tour together and Purple said goodnight.
Encore time was something like “Green Onions” which turned into “Hush”, a fine bass solo by Roger Glover and the finale of “Black Night”. After a few more goodbyes and souvenir picks and sticks thrown out to the crowd, the house lights came on. The show had lasted exactly 2 hours. And the crowd of what I estimate to be at least 10,000 was very appreciative.
In the past 5 years I have seen Deep Purple in Bangkok, in Singapore twice, and in Tokyo. Last night’s fine performance in London was as strong, tight and polished as all those other shows. Deep Purple shows no signs of slowing down. I am looking forward to their next tour of the upcoming new album.
Long live Deep Purple!
Gary Halverson, London, U.K. , December 4th, 2015

This is the second time I’ve seen Deep Purple (First time being Birmingham NIA in 2013) and first time seeing Rival Sons. I arrived at the gig about 40 minutes late because of getting lost multiple times and sat nav not knowing what its doing.

I entered the venue in the middle of “Secret” by Rival sons and I must admit that Jay Buchanans screams were so powerful he overpowered the rest of the band with ease, he really knows how to project his voice. Couple songs later there was a short but on point drum solo from Michael Miley who is quite a show man, he really knows how to translate his personality through drums and please the fans. Todd Ögren Brooks ( their keyboard player) was also a lot more wild then from what I’ve seen on YouTube, he was attacking his Nord keyboard like a mad man and even playing it with his elbow! (I wonder where he got that from).
Before the last song Jay thanked Deep Purple for taking them under their wings saying that nothing even comes close to them.

After about 45 minutes of gear shifting Deep Purple came on stage. The set list was as follows:

Intro: Mars, the Bringer of War
1. Highway Star
2. Bloodsucker
3. Hard Lovin’ Man
4. Strange Kind of Woman
5. Vincent Price
6. Instrumental
7. Uncommon Man
8. The Well-Dressed Guitar
9. The Mule (including a light-show drum solo)
10. Lazy
11. Demon’s Eye
12. Hell to Pay
13. Keyboard-Solo
14. Perfect Strangers ( Inc. A cello player wearing a red shirt)
15. Space Truckin’
16. Smoke on the Water (Inc. Scott Holiday from Rival Sons)
17. Hush
18. Bass-Solo
19. Black Night

The band came on stage and everyone just stood up and stayed like this right through to the end. Ian Paice seemed to be really going for it, playing faster-then-usual drum fills. Gillan’s voice was smooth and he was really entertaining the audience with throwing bra’s up in the air behind Glover’s amps and using a tiny little gong during this one particular part of Hard Lovin’ Man.
Glover was just on top of the groove really connecting with the audience.
The Band was joined by a Cello player that I’ve seen before just for Perfect Strangers but I could hardly hear him play.

About half way through the set Rival Sons appeared at the side of the stage and were just really enjoying the show then I saw Scott Holiday trying on Stevie’s well known Blue music man guitar that he’s had for years.
After Aireys dazzling keyboard solo, Space Truckin’ really got the audience going and then I realised that that One of Scott’s amps is still on stage and by then I knew what was up.
Scott walked out on stage and after some technical difficulties they started jamming, doing the trademark Deep Purple question-answer thing between himself and Stevie.

After the jam Stevie played the first 3 chords of Smoke on the Water and the whole place just exploded, Scott took the first solo spot followed by Morse and then Airey

Encore included a short introductory jam, Hush, Glover Bass solo which included audience participation (Glover really knows how to work the audience) and Black Night.
When the Band was leaving the stage I managed to grab the last pick that Glover threw into the audience after a bunch of people jumped in the air to catch it but somehow someone managed to kick it about 5 rows down towards the stage right under my foot!

Overall this was the best show I’ve ever attended with a lot of extra value added by Rival Sons.

Marcel

Ian Paice will play a(nother) string of dates next March with Purpendicular. The tour will be in support of the band’s new album tHis is the tHing#1, but the setlist will also include both Purple classics and rare tracks.

The lineup for this tour will be:

Ian Paice – Drums
Robby Thomas Walsh – Vocals
Frank Panê – Guitars
Corrado Solarino – Keyboards
Malte Frederik Burkert – Bass

Full details in our calendar (with a couple more dates TBA).

Somebody Done It featuring Ian Paice from tHis is the tHing#1, live at Riffelhof, Burgrieden in Germany, March 14, 2015:

Thanks to Gerry Doyle for the info.

Flying Colors have appeared on Reddit Ask Me Anything this Friday, November 27. It is just too bad apparently nobody has realized until the last moment that 3pm EST is 9pm CET, which is just about the time Steve is supposed to hit the stage with Purple in Frankfurt. His postfactum contributions, however, were quite interesting — from aviation safety to Asian food.

Does the band like audiences who sit quietly and listen, or fanatical audiences that scream and shout during the entire show?

Steve Morse: I like both. Most bands only think that the loudest audiences are getting into it the most. From my own experience as a listener, I know that there are some very moving points in my history where I didn’t jump up and scream, but just soaked it in……….and loved it.

Is there a particular Flying Colors song or (musical passage) that never fails to move you emotionally?

Steve Morse: For me, Peaceful Harbor. I came up with the chord progression the night that I found out my next door neighbor’s son had died in an accident. He was the same age as my son, Kevin, and they were friends. It was a sad song that came out, but had no lyrics, we all added to it, and the lyrics now are perfect for everything I was feeling.

Read the full transcript of the chat on Reddit.

Flying Colors will be answering questions on Reddit’s Ask Me Anything today, November 27, between 3 and 4 pm EST.

What: A live interview with the full band on Reddit’s IAmA forum, where you ask the questions. Well, not just you. And not you if you’re not there. So be there! Ask Mike about his beard! Ask Neal about Mike’s beard. Ask Steve about his jet fighter (seriously). Ask Dave about his helper monkey (not so much.) Ask Casey about his hat. Ask his hat about Casey. Ask Bill about writing this instead of his thesis.

Where: http://reddit.com

When: Friday, November 27 at 3PM Eastern Standard Time

Thanks to BraveWords for the info.

Deep Purple Italia has an interview with David Keith, the drummer from Blackmore’s Night who was also tapped to play the three gigs next summer under the Rainbow moniker.

How is it working with Ritchie Blackmore?

Ritchie certainly has a reputation for being difficult to work with, but I have honestly found it to be easy. Ritchie knows what he wants, and will continue trying different things till the sound is right. I have no problem changing what I’m playing- I’m not out to prove anything to anyone. I simply want to play the song well. This is his music, his vision – so leave your ego at the door, listen, and be flexible!

Have you guys rehearsed all together yet? If not, where and when are you planning on rehearsing (Europe, USA..)?

We have not rehearsed yet, but will be doing so very soon, at a secret location, somewhere here on Earth haha.

Read more in Deep Purple Italia.

Thanks to Francesco for the info. Photo credit: CozyThisOne (via Wikimedia Commons).

Local TV station ARD Brisant showed this report from the gig in Oberhausen on November 13. Unfortunately, the interviews are overdubbed, but looks like nothing groundbreaking has been said. Don Airey told that nowadays he has a reserved seat at his doctor as he’s going more and more to regular check-ups. He also pointed out that there is so much rubbish around these days and that people know they won’t be cheated at Purple gigs, they’ll get the real thing. Roger said that Purple is a band who live in the present because you can’t change the past and you never know what’s going to happen in the future.

We are also being informed that security at the gigs is really, really tight in the wake of Paris attacks. If you are going, allow plenty of time as it can take an hour just to get into the venue.

Thanks to Yvonne for the info.

(roughly translated from the original text, which is posted below, many thanks to Fabian Sterlzig for taking the time to review the show)
Here’s my review of Deep Purple in Hannover, a day after the international football game had been cancelled in Hannover that had taken place at the stadium directly opposite. The events of the previous day were felt in so far as the very thorough security controls were in place.
In addition, the concert was not very well attended. From a hall employee, I learned that about 3,700 tickets were sold (not nearly sold out), but in fact were far fewer fans because (according to newspaper 3000).After entering, everything went very quiet and you did not have to hurry up or to persevere in the hall to see properly.
Probably due to the thorough entry controls, the opening act began even only approximately at 20.45 clock, 45 minutes later than planned.
Now to the music:”Rival Sons” have played as the opening act and have me and also a large part of the remaining audience left a lasting impression! Outstanding musicians and an excellent singer. Hard Rock in the style of Led Zeppelin at its finest. This tape should be kept in mind! In addition, they were well mixed, what with support bands also not always been the case and also the light show was very appropriate (even if only a small part of the lighting system was used).Rival Sons played about 45 minutes and after a brief reconstruction then started Deep Purple.
The setlist was not as “unusual” as at the concerts before in Poland, but really succeeded (setlist comes down). The improvisations in the songs were great and enjoyable long. The sound was not too loud, mixed powerfully and crystal clear and the light show is a real highlight. The large LED screen in the center of the stage offered the best views of the musicians, but did not go out of sync at the beginning. I personally would have liked more songs from the Morse-era, but I am nevertheless satisfied. Overall, Deep Purple played just over 90 minutes.

Here are the highlights that stood out in particular:

Ian Gillan: Great Voice!! Very good singing and a lot of high-pitched screams. Furthermore, in principle a good mood and friendly as always.

Ian Paice: Solid the whole show through and a grand drum solo in “The Mule”.

Roger Glover: Hilarious and likable as always, had a small solo spot and left the stage last.

Steve Morse: World-class as always with very hard guitar sound that was perfect!

Don Airey: Powerful Hammond, brilliant synths and a great solo

Overall it was a great evening. Just because the opening act was appropriate and could really show what they can! Deep Purple are still a stunner. Musically at the highest level and Ian Gillan is 70 just amazingly good shape, both physically and vocally! It was my 5th DP concert since 2003 (there was my first, before that I was still too young ….)

Setlist Deep Purple:
Intro: Mars, the Bringer of War
1. Highway Star
2. Bloodsucker
3. Hard Lovin ‘Man
4. Strange Kind of Woman
5. Vincent Price6. Instrumental (based on “Contact Lost”)
7. Uncommon Man
8. The Well-Dressed Guitar
9. The Mule (including Drum-Solo)
10. Lazy
11. Demon’s Eye
12. Hell to Pay
13 keyboard solo
14. Perfect Strangers
15. Space Truckin ‘
16 Smoke on the Water..
17. Hush
18. Bass Solo
19 Black Night

Deep Purple

18.11.2015, Hannover, Swiss Life Hall

Am 18.11.2015 habe ich mir mein das Deep Purple Konzert in Hannover angesehen, einen Tag nach der Länderspielabsage in Hannover, dass im Stadion genau gegenüber stattgefunden hätte.

Die Ereignisse vom Vortag waren in sofern spürbar, als das sehr gründliche Einlasskontrollen durchgeführt wurde. Zudem war das Konzert nicht sonderlich gut besucht. Von einem Hallenmitarbeiter erfuhr ich, dass ca. 3700 Karten verkauft seien (bei weitem nicht ausverkauft), tatsächlich waren aber deutlich weniger Fans da (laut Zeitung 3000).

Nach Einlass ging alles sehr ruhig zu und man musste sich nicht beeilen oder in der Halle ausharren, um gut sehen zu können. Wahrscheinlich bedingt durch die gründlichen Einlasskontrollen, begann die Vorband dann auch erst ca. um 20.45 Uhr, 45 Minuten später als geplant.

Nun zur Musik:

„Rival Sons“ haben als Vorband gespielt und haben mich und auch einen großen Teil des restlichen Publikums nachhaltig beeindruckt! Hervorragende Musiker und ein ausgezeichneter Sänger. Hardrock im Stile Led Zeppelins vom feinsten. Diese Band sollte man im Auge behalten! Zudem wurden sie gut abgemischt, was bei Vorbands auch nicht immer der Fall war und auch die Lightshow war sehr passend (wenn auch nur ein kleiner Teil der Lichtanlage benutzt wurde).

Rival Sons spielten ca. 45 Minuten und nach einem kurzen Umbau begannen dann Deep Purple.

Die Setlist war zwar nicht so „ungewöhnlich“ wie bei den Konzerten zuvor in Polen, jedoch wirklich gelungen (Setlist kommt unten). Die Improvisationen in den Songs waren großartig und erfreulich lang. Der Sound war nicht zu laut, kraftvoll und kristallklar gemischt und die Lightshow ein echtes Highlight. Der große LED-Screen in der Mitte der Bühne bot besten Ausblick auf die Musiker, lief zu Anfang jedoch nicht ganz synchron. Ich persönlich hätte mir mehr Songs aus der Morse-Ära gewünscht, bin aber dennoch zufrieden. Insgesamt spielten Deep Purple etwas über 90 Minuten.

Hier die Highlights, die besonders herausstachen:

Ian Gillan:
War bestens bei Stimme!! Sehr gut gesungen und auch viele hohe Schreie. Zudem grundsätzlich gut aufgelegt und sympathisch wie immer.

Ian Paice:
Solide die ganze Show über und ein grandioses Drumsolo in „The Mule“.

Roger Glover:
Ausgelassen und sympathisch wie immer, hatte auch einen kleinen Solospot und verließ die Bühne zuletzt.

Steve Morse:
Weltklasse wie immer mit sehr hartem Gitarrensound, der perfekt passte!

Don Airey:
Kraftvolle Hammond, geniale Synths und ein großartiges Solo

Insgesamt war es ein klasse Abend. Gerade weil auch die Vorband passend war und wirklich zeigen konnte, was sie kann! Deep Purple sind nach wie vor eine Wucht. Musikalisch auf höchstem Niveau und Ian Gillan ist mit 70 einfach nur erstaunlich gut in Form, körperlich wie auch gesanglich! Es war mein 5. DP-Konzert seit 2003 (da war mein erstes, vorher war ich noch zu jung….)

Setlist Deep Purple:

Intro: Mars, the Bringer of War
1. Highway Star
2. Bloodsucker
3. Hard Lovin’ Man
4. Strange Kind of Woman
5. Vincent Price
6. Instrumental (basierend auf „Contact Lost“)
7. Uncommon Man
8. The Well-Dressed Guitar
9. The Mule (inklusive Dru-Solo)
10. Lazy
11. Demon’s Eye
12. Hell to Pay
13. Keyboard-Solo
14. Perfect Strangers
15. Space Truckin’
16. Smoke on the Water
..
17. Hush
18. Bass-Solo
19. Black Night

Deep Purple live at Patinoire Mériadeck (Bordeaux, France 2015-11-03)

A very short review of my 20th Deep Purple show:

I was very, very pleased with this year’s only concert (as far as I’m concerned, of course) — Gillan absolutely back in the game after some good, but not outstanding performances in 2014. Reminds me of the 2010 tour ! And when Gillan rolls, Purple rocks. Everything just perfect — and a lot of smiles, joking and british nonsense on stage, as usual (and even more this time) !
Venue well filled, but not full (on a tuesday night), excellent sound as always with Deep Purple (but rather an exception worth mentioning in the Patinoire Meriadeck, which has poor acoustics).

No setlist revolution (rather conservative, in fact, compared to some polish setlists, see below), but I was happy enough with Demon’s eye, the totally revamped Contact Lost (it’s not a completely new instrumental to my ears, it’s something like “Contact Lost Number 2”), and a big surprise with the return of “Mary Long” (I love that song so much, and they played it brilliantly). Another highlight for me was Uncommon Man, one of the greatest songs they did since, well, 1984 if you ask me.

If I may criticise something (and there is really not much to criticise, it’s complaining on a very very very high level), it’s the ever same 5-song routine (6 if you include the keyboard solo ) at the end of the show — all of those five are wonderful songs, don’t get me wrong, but why don’t they just change the running order, for instance … But that’s the typical criticism of someone who saw too many shows, I guess …

So, to put it short, they were absolutely great. Period.

Here’s the setlist for those interested:

Highway Star
Demon’s Eye
Hard Lovin’ Man
Strange Kind of Woman
Vincent Price
Contact Lost II
Uncommon Man
The well-dressed Guitar
The Mule
Mary Long
Lazy
Hell to pay
Keyboard solo
Perfect Strangers
Space Truckin’
Smoke on the Water

Hush
Black Night

review by Stéphane