It looks like the long dry spell for the South African fans is coming to an end. Three concerts were announced in that country for 2010:

• Johannesburg, Friday May 28, Coca-Cola Dome
• Durban, Sunday May 30, ICC Arena
• Cape Town, Tuesday June 1, Grand Arena at GrandWest Casino

The shows are being billed as the Masters of Rock tour where Deep Purple will be supported by Uriah Heep and Wishbone Ash.

Tickets for Johannesburg and Cape Town are already on sale, full details in our Purple calendar. Please note that as of December 18 the shows have not been confirmed yet by the band’s management.

Thanks to Daniel Bengtsson and Tonight.co.za for the info.

Deep Purple performance in Bologna on December 16th will be broadcast live by the Italian RAI Radio 2 starting at 8 p.m. GMT. You can launch the player at the Radio 2 website or from the main RAI page (select “Diretta Radio” from the top menu, then Radio2 icon in the player window).

Thanks to Francesco from Deep Purple Italia for the info.

Is Glenn Hughes going to be part of a new supergroup? Recent Twitter comments from Hughes suggest something is in the works:

“In Newport Beach havin’ lunch…on my way to Malibu to work with possibly the greatest hard rock producer on the planet…? Love….GH” (November 16)

“I’ll be writin’ Lyrics to Brand new songs for a Monumental new Band! GH” (November 30)

Well known hard rock producer and Malibu probably narrows it down to Kevin Shirley (Joe Bonamassa, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Iron Maiden, Rush).

The following comment was posted on Kevin Shirley’s blog on November 23:

“…and January I’m producing what has the promise to be one of the most exciting “supergroups” to come around in a long time. But theory is just that until we see how the dynamics play out in the studio between these superb musicians. And of course the songs will make the real difference.”

Shirley also mentions the supergroup is a four piece.

Is it safe to assume Glenn Hughes will be on bass/vocals and Joe Bonamassa on guitar (Hughes recently sat in at one of his LA shows and Shirley is his producer)? What about the other two members?

Feel free to post your own speculations and predictions below and check back as this story develops.

Daniel Bengtsson

Swiss banker Stefan Jemetta’s “private” Deep Purple gig on December 18, 2007 at Zürich Kongresshaus is due to be released on DVD, “with the approval of Thames Records, Bruce Payne.” A basic website to promote the release has been set up at www.deeppurple.ch and a promo clip was posted to Youtube:
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According to this Swedish interview, Big Ian was writting with Tony Iommi and a plan to start a “charity band” project is in the works:

Shouldn’t you do something with the guys in Black Sabbath?

– Weird that you should mention that because I was in Armenia with Tony Iommi last week and stopped by his house on my way to Manchester to finish a song we have started working on. The song is for a charity band we are thinking of putting together. Me, Tony and some other musicians we don’t know about yet. But these things take time and sometimes nothing happens in the end.

While in London on the UK tour, Roger Glover has found the time to draw a sketch and donate it to the No Surrender Charitable Trust to be auctioned off as a part of their Art of Music ’09 program. The trust provides an online cancer related social network and a Fellowship which researches into cures for pancreatic cancer.
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Good concert, no low points, some averages and mostly highs.

Steve and Roger in a playful mood, and Don was really showing off during the whole concert. Some interplay sections with Steve was excellent. Some particular nice bass solos from Roger, and behind everybody Ian Paice was to be trusted as always.

Wasted sunsets was a joy to hear live for the first time, very nice by both Ian and Steve! Space truckin’ was a monster, likewise No one came. And hearing Rapture of the deep and Sometimes I feel like screaming makes you really want to hear more Steve Morse era songs!

Once again an evening with DP to be remembered. Brought back fond memories of last year’s concert in Steinkjer (which truly was awesome….). Now I need to plan for a concert next year also….!

Attendance: Around 8000.

Set list:

Highway star
Things I never said
Maybe I’m a leo
Strange kind of woman
Wasted sunsets
Rapture of the deep
Fireball
Contact Lost
Steve Morse solo
Sometimes I feel like screaming
Well dressed guitar
Wring that neck
No one came
Don Airey solo (with bits from Norwegian classics!)
The battle rages on
Space truckin’
Smoke on the water

Encores:
Speed king (incorporating bits of Peggy Sue & It’s now or never, & great solo by Roger)
Hush
Black night (long version! – Roger & Steve in good form!)

Time: 1 hour 55 mins.

Hans Peter Jenssen
Trondheim

Joel McIver has been working since 2006 on an autobiography with Glenn Hughes, to be published by Foruli Publications.

“We are very excited about this project, and working with Glenn Hughes is an absolute pleasure. The book is Glenn’s autobiography, written with Joel McIver (author of the bestselling book ‘The Truth About Metallica’). It will be a very high quality numbered limited edition with many special features, signed by Glenn and Joel. There will be two versions, the Regular limited edition and a Deluxe limited edition.

We are not divulging further details just yet, but will keep you informed.

If the readers of your website go to www.foruli.co.uk and click on the ‘Contact Us’ link they can add there details to our mailing list and will be the first to receive details of the book.”

thanks to Deep Purple Italia for the info.

Several days ago it was announced that all Dio’s European tour dates are cancelled and refunds are being issued, with Ronnie himself being in a hospital for unspecified reasons. Today his wife and manager Wendy has released more details:

Ronnie has been diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer. We are starting treatment immediately at the Mayo Clinic. After he kills this dragon, Ronnie will be back on stage, where he belongs, doing what he loves best, performing for his fans.

Long live rock and roll, long live Ronnie James Dio.

Thanks to all the friends and fans from all over the world that have sent well wishes. This has really helped to keep his spirit up.

Thanks to Blabbermouth.net for the info.

Don Airey has contributed some Hammond to the recording of Fly Free — a tribute to the legendary Scottish race driver Jackie Stewart. The song was written by Jackie’s son Paul as a gift for his 70th birthday. Eric Clapton contributed his guitar playing (Sir Eric is apparently a close friend of Sir Jackie). Other musicians included Matt Prior on guitars, Lee Pomeroy on bass, Adam Wakeman on piano and mellotron and Alex Toff on drums.

If you ask me, they should have simply gone straight for Highway Star. The lyrics are more than appropriate and the songwriting is, ahem, slightly better. 😉