DEEP PURPLE - "We Had More Money Than We Could Ever Imagine!"

July 31, 2020, 3 years ago

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DEEP PURPLE - "We Had More Money Than We Could Ever Imagine!"

Speaking to Rock Candy Mag for the cover story of issue 21, Deep Purple stalwarts Ian Gillan and Ian Paice have revealed what fuels their enduring passion for rock music - and it has nothing to do with money. It’s their abiding love for being in Deep Purple, not the pots of cash, that has ensured the legendary rock band has survived for more than 50 years - and it also means that Purple are still making exciting and creative music with new album, Whoosh!.

“The early days were fabulous,” says vocalist Gillan in his interview with writer Dave Ling. “Everything was new and wonderful and shocking. Things got bigger and bigger and bigger, so we became very confident. But as young men we were also wealthy. We had more money than we could ever imagine. In those circumstances you can end up becoming surrounded by sycophants who tell you you can’t do a thing wrong. At that age I thought I knew everything. How wrong I was.”

Despite not knowing everything the Purple singer has nevertheless navigated a tremendous career. The secret, says Gillan, is in remaining true to yourself.

“We never try to second-guess what the public wants, or what the business might desire from us in terms of the records we make. What we do is what pleases us, and we cross our fingers and put our hands together in prayer that the public will like it.”

Given Deep Purple’s exalted position as a live draw even now, it appears that their public is still as excited about Purple performing as the band are about playing. The Coronavirus pandemic put paid to the band’s plans to undertake a major tour in 2020, “and that’s a lot of time to sit around doing nothing,” says an exasperated Ian Paice. “Sitting on my arse until June next year really doesn’t appeal to me.” There are currently two dates pencilled in for September in Sweden, which may stop Paice getting itchy. But there’s no doubt that Purple’s loyal fans will turn out in droves to see them when they hit the road in earnest in 2021, especially given that the band acknowledge that they can’t simply go on forever.

“If the skill or the energy should drop away then that’s the end of it for me,” insists Gillan. “I don’t want to go out there and do anything that’s sub-standard.”

Read the whole of this revealing article in issue 21 of Rock Candy Magazine. Get yours here.

Deep Purple's new album, Whoosh!, will be released on August 7 via earMusic. Whoosh! will also be available as a Standard CD, a Digital Album, a Limited Edition CD+DVD Mediabook (including the 1 hour feature “Roger Glover And Bob Ezrin In Conversation” and, for the first time, the full live performance at Hellfest 2017 video), and a Vinyl 2LP+DVD edition (earMUSIC). Pre-order here, and watch Ian Paice unbox the box set, below:

According to Darker Than Blue, HMV Records are offering a limited edition CD/DVD book box, which includes three more tracks from Rio 2017 added at the back end of the new studio album (not a separate disc).

Says Deeper Than Blue: "They are also doing their own limited vinyl version in purple wax. This may be the same as the German purple edition content wise; the reliably terrible hmv website isn't clear."

Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Steve Morse, and Don Airey were invited by Bob Ezrin to Nashville to write and record, during which the band were inspired to push their creative boundaries. Letting go of any artistic limitations, they adopted the motto “Deep Purple is putting the Deep back in Purple”. Whoosh! embodies that freedom, with lyrics that reflect their sentiments on the current situation of the world.

“We’ve included everything that made the whole band smile, including Bob Ezrin,” exclaims Morse. “We’ve always enjoyed making music and having the incredible luxury of a loyal audience.”

Whoosh! marks Deep Purple’s third album produced by Ezrin (Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd). The first - 2013’s Now What?! - charted at #1 in five European countries, as well as Top 10 in over 15 countries worldwide. Cementing itself as one of their most successful albums, inFinite, released in 2017, broke chart records the band accumulated over their 50+year history. With chemistry this electric, it only made sense for Deep Purple and Ezrin to collaborate a third time.

“Another album?! Whoosh?!! Gordon Bennett!!!” - Ian Gillan

One of the most important rock bands of all time, Deep Purple has built a legacy that is nothing short of immeasurable. The band continues to evolve and elevate the possibilities within hard rock, which is fully displayed on Whoosh!

“When the Deep Purple falls
Over sleepy garden walls
And the stars begin to twinkle
In the night…” - Ian Gillan

Whoosh! tracklisting:

"Throw My Bones"
"Drop The Weapon"
"We're All The Same In The Dark"
"Nothing At All"
"No Need To Shout"
"Step By Step"
"What The What"
"The Long Way Around"
"The Power Of The Moon"
"Remission Possible"
"Man Alive"
"And The Address"
"Dancing In My Sleep"

Vinyl Side Split:

Side A:
"Throw My Bones"
"Drop The Weapon"
"We’re All The Same In The Dark"
"Nothing At All"

Side B:
"No Need To Shout"
"Step By Step"
"What The What"

Side C:
"The Long Way Round"
"The Power Of The Moon"
"Remission Possible"
"Man Alive"

Side D:
"And The Address"
"Dancing In My Sleep"

"Nothing At All":

"Man Alive" video:

"Throw My Bones" video:

(Photo - Ben Wolf)



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