Steve Hoare emailed us that he has started a petition to nominate Ian Gillan for the rank of the Member of the Order of British Empire. British citizens and residents can sign petition online at the Prime Minister’s web site. Deadline is March 4, 2008.

MBE rank does not entail knighthood, but is nevertheless a very prestigious award. You can read more about it at the Wikipedia.

One of the Styx crew members is blogging from the current tour with Deep Purple and Thin Lizzy. You get to know why Styx only played a 15 minute set in whichever town it was and you get goodies like this:

During the ride last night on the European tour front, a crew bus sideswiped a car going down the road. Freakin’ perfect. Luckily, no one was hurt, although the car pretty bunged up. Yesterday, a truck driver passed out cold on the dock (later diagnosed with dehydration), and this AM a tour catering girl mashed her hand in a door badly enough to be sent off to hospital.”

http://thisgigsucks.com/blog.html

My good lady and myself turned up really wondering what sort of night was in store for us – we were not to be disappointed!

Thin Lizzy on at 7pm … Great to hear the old standards but they were a little “thin” and never really seemed to get the crowd on their side – even though we were sworn at to do so… Enuff said about that 40 odd minutes.

8pm Styx, must say did not know anything about them – however they won both of us over after the first couple of songs – very energetic, excellent musician who typically American put on a high speed high energy show. They got the crowd going.

I was told by a fan that they had done mostly older songs – anymore than that I’m afraid I am not in the position to commment, only to say that we would go and see them as headliners if they ever come back to the UK.

Then the main event. About 9.30pm the boys appear – they hit the stage running and never stopped – this was one of the best gigs I have seen of them – they were enjoying every moment and sounded great – (for the NEC).

Not a word from Ian untill after ‘Strange Kind of Woman’ then a quick helllo, but like all the best bands they let their music do the talking – many could learn a lesson from that.

The set list was the same that has already been seen here so I will not bore you by running through that, but why oh why do they have to play the same old songs every time around? Machine Head, Machine Head and Machine Head.

I know this is personal opinion but with such a great back catalouge why play the same old standards, instead of more newer stuff? ‘Rapture of the Deep’ was excellent on the night. I would also like to hear songs from Perfect Strangers for example – for me they could do a show based on that and I would be happy. Anyway that’s that.

My good lady loved Steve’s bit – I would like to see the solos done as part of the songs – it would help the flow of the show IMHO – but he is an amazing player.

They introduced a guest for Smoke on the Water, ex-Whitesnake Bernie Marsden played along side Steve – and had a couple of solo’s, as always with that large affable smile on his face. I have always enjoyed Bernie so it was great to see him on stage even for a short time.

Of course they finished off with ‘Black Night’ – they did stay around for the applause and seemed to really enjoy the recpetion they recieved. Ian said Good night and added “look forward to seeing you again soon” or something very close to that so we all got the impression they will be back.

In summary a wonderful night of entertainment – take the time to listen to some Styx. Purple were ‘Into the Fire’ on fire. Can’t wait to the next time.

Bob & Linda Barfield

I caught the start of Lizzy’s set who came on as many were still arriving at the venue. They delivered a competent 40 minute set but there was no spark and I’m not sure what the future holds for them as a viable force.

I meant to watch Styx but the bar was too attractive an alternative.

Managed to get down by the stage for the main event where it was good and loud. The band seemed really up for it and it soon became apparent that we were going to get their best Scottish performance since the Barras in ’96.

Gillan’s voice was in fine fettle and Don Airey seems to bring out the best of Steve Morse. Fortunately, the Machine Head concept was ditched and it was great to hear ‘The Battle Rages On’ and ‘Into the Fire’.

Otherwise all the usual numbers were played with flair including a crunching version of Space Truckin’. The only small gripe was that only two songs were played from ‘Rapture’, their best album in decades. Most of the UK audience were veteran Purple fans and those I spoke to were expecting more – maybe next time.

Andy J

Photo: Jim Corrigan

Jon has posted the following update on the Runboard’s Deep Purple Fan Forum:

Hi everyone

(Regarding From Darkness to Light being performed in Trondheim, Norway. Already posted on the Jon Lord section, and also just to say “Hello – yes I am still alive and actually not retired!”)

From Darkness to Light was performed in its original version, which was written specifically for an amateur Church Choir, in my, then, local village Church in Hambleden in Buckinghamshire, England. It was played in, I think, April of 2000 and again at Fawley Court, Henley on Thames in July of that year. It has since been extensively re-written, and is now about ten minutes longer than the original, as well as being much better IMHO, and is also now intended for professional performance. It will be played in Hereford Cathedral in England on the 11th of May, and then at the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim on the 1st of July.

Boom of the Tingling Strings and Disguises are both recorded, mixed and ready to be released, as soon as we can arrange a London concert to play the pieces to hang a publicity hat on – probably late 2007/early 2008. In the mean time the piece I have been working on since just before I left DP – Durham Concerto – is nearing completion, and will be recorded in Liverpool with The Royal Liverpool Symphony Orchestra at the end of July. The recording is being released to coincide with the premier in Durham Cathedral in October. Once all that is out of the way, I shall continue to write for The Gemini Band and get myself back on stage – Hammond included – as soon as is possible.

Thank you all so much for your interest, and your input; your passion and your humour, and thanks for all the years of support. Please keep the faith and try not to be TOO hard on a band that, in spite of what some of you seem to think, does what it does out of love, and belief in the power of music to unite us all. See you down the road apiece – God bless and Kindest regards

Jon

Thanks to Daniel Bengtsson for the info.

This is a clip from the (in)famous performance of Lucille in Sydney on Dec 13 1984 when the late George Harrison came on stage to jam with Purple. Continue Reading »

Here are Mk.3 interviews from May 1974 also known among collectors as the Leeds Polytechnic Project. Parts 1-5 contain interviews with the band (including Ritchie Blackmore!) in the dressing room. Parts 6-8 include fragments of live Space Truckin’. Continue Reading »

The Classic Albums: Machine Head documentary will enter rotation on the VH1 Classic cable channel in North America starting Tuesday, May 8. Check the listings for complete schedule.

Thanks to Jim Collins for the info.

Thin Lizzy… Nuff said… Styx, excellent band but misunderstood by most.

I thought Purple looked a bit tired at first, but they soon found the groove. Gillan was usually entertaining, but I was dissapointed by the lack of Rapture material. It seemed like a fan’s choice of set.

The Battle Rages On was good and Smoke was worth it just for Tommy Shaw’s contribution. When A Blind Man Cries was as smooth as it was. The rest mainly hard rock standards. This wasn’t a patch on the Astoria gig that kicked off the Rapture tour.

I still believe the best thing that’s happened to Purple was Steve Morse, the whole band have fun and want to entertain. Let’s face it, that’s why we forked out £32-00 for a ticket.

I’ve been going to Purple shows since the Coverdale/Bolin line up and I guess it wont be the last.

Steve Underwood, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

A great time was had at Brighton on Sunday night. All three bands were superb with the best being of course Deep Purple!

They and the sound were so good that it (almost) didn’t matter that they played for only 90 minutes. I say almost because although having three name bands on the bill made it feel like a mini indoors rock festival, the name on the tickets that I bought last June(!) said Deep Purple.

As others have said we got 105 minutes of Lizzy and Styx but only 90 minutes of the band we came to see. Who makes these stupid decisions and why? Do the band have any say in it at all? I think we should be told. Surely one support band is enough!

Steve Smith