Guinness World Records has officially confirmed the new record for the Largest Guitar Ensemble with 1,802 players. The record was set on June 23, 2007 in Leinfelden, Germany (near Stuttgart). That event was organised by Guitar World Record. The previous record of 1,721 players was rather short lived as it was set just three weeks before on June 3, 2007 in Kansas City, Kansas, United States. As you might remember, Smoke On The Water was performed on both occasions and we’ve covered both events.
Guinness people said that they are considering an entry in the next Book of Records, but there’s no guarantee.
The CD and DVD from the current (German) World Record will be released on January 25, 2008 on Zounds/CMS and will contain live recording of the World Record version, the original from Deep Purple, plus other SOTW covers from Pat Boone, Mungo Jerry, Michael Gaedt (Die kleine Tierschau), DJ Toastie, and a playback track for practice. Official release party will be held on February 23 during the Born2befree Festival. A special Kombiticket will get you the CD and admission to the festival for 12 Euros. The CD can be also ordered directly from Zounds.
The World Record certificate and the CD will be presented on December 17 at 17:30, at the Palm Beach Club in Stuttgart.
Thanks to Andreas Vockrodt for the info.
Italian photographer Vincent Lagana has published a book of his Deep Purple photos called All Things Deep. You can preview the book and purchase it at blurb.com. Vincent also has a bunch of individual pictures and poster size collages for sale on his web site.
We reported yesterday that according to Michael Schenker’s web site, Don Airey is to join his band for the UK tour. We have received a message from Don himself that this is not true. He is NOT touring with Schenker. End of story.
We sincerely apologize to everybody for spreading disinformation, albeit unintentionally.
Thanks to Don Airey for setting the record straight.
Check out an excellent interview with Roger Glover published on Jambase.com:
Face-to-face backstage, Glover was a casually dressed, quiet, very articulate gent with reading glasses hanging from a chain around his neck. It’s a far cry from the perpetually erect persona he thrusts at us onstage, the one with a bandana clinging tight to his head while he sweats and ripples with palpable power. Like many great artists, Glover is a bundle of grand contradictions that ultimately fuel the depth and feeling in music that’s stretched across generations and the entire planet.
Read the interview here.
Thanks to Mike Garrett for the info.
Recording of Jon Lord’s Durham Concerto is scheduled for a CD release on January 28, 2008 on Avie Records.
Track list:
Part 1: Morning
1. The Cathedral at Dawn 11:31
2. Durham Awakes 8:25
Part 2: Afternoon
3. The Road from Lindisfarne 7:18
4. From Prebends Bridge 8:27
Part 3: Evening
5. Rags & Galas 8:25
6. Durham Nocturne 12:11
Performed by:
Matthew Barley, Cello
Jon Lord, Hammond organ
Ruth Palmer, Violin
Kathryn Tickell, Northumbrian Pipes
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra / Mischa Damev
Leader: Thelma Handy
Thanks to JonLord.org for the info.
Some things are happening at the DeepPurple.org: there’s a new installment of Q&A with Steve Morse and they are asking fans to send memorabilia for a fan scrapbook they’re compiling:
DeepPurple.org is compiling a fan scrap book and we need your help! We want you to submit a page to be included in the scrap book.
Get together all of your Deep Purple memories- ticket stubs, photos of the band, newspaper clippings, and- most importantly- pictures of you, the fans! We’ll then put together the best pages to be included in the scrap book, which we will present to the band.
Not only that, but the person who submits the coolest page for the scrap book will win an autographed photo of the band!
UPDATE (Dec 13, 2007): See our retraction on this story.
Don Airey will be taking keyboard duties on the upcoming UK tour of Michael Schenker Group. He will be joined by Gary Barden on vocals, Simon Philips on drums and Neil Murray on bass. The tour is said to start January 10 and “stretch as far as March”.
Check our tour dates listing for the dates available so far.
Glenn Hughes’ name was at one point linked to this tour, but he vehemently denied his participation:
The rumour about me joining Up with Michael is bizarre… I got an email from a fellow in Germany a couple days ago askin’ if I was interested in makin’ a record with Schenker. I never responded about the MSG project as I have been in the studio makin’ my new album. At this time I am only interested in my style of music, something which is so very close 2 my heart and Soul.
Thanks to michaelschenkerhimself.com and Daniel Bengtsson for the info.
Polish TV channel Planete will be showing a program called “Gwiazda autostrady” (Highway Star) about Ian Gillan tomorrow, December 8 at 20:45.
Thanks to Joasia Ostrowiecka for the info.
Just as 2007 tours wrap up and musicians take a well deserved break, news started trickling in about plans for the next year. It looks like Deep Purple will be undertaking another one of the annual summer tours of Germany (2007 was the first year since, well, time immemorial, when the band didn’t play in Germany).
One of the most prominent European rock festivals — Sweden Rock Festival — has just announced it’s 2008 lineup, which includes Whitesnake and Joe Satriani. Tickets will go on sale January 1. The festival will be held June 4-7 2008 in Sölvesborg.
Check our tour dates listing for the latest details and ticket info as we receive it.
Thanks to Roger Gasser and Blabbermouth.net for the info.
In the latest issue of Notes from the road Steve Morse explains why one day he’ll be referring to the present as the good old days, how he copes with being on the road and his favourite — perils of international travel.
Read all about it on stevemorse.com.
Thanks to Daniel Bengtsson for the info.
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Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing