Deep Purple

[Holymagica]

Tony Edwards, DEEP PURPLE's first manager, died on November 11 at The London Clinic at the age of 78. Simon Robinson of the Deep Purple Appreciation Society writes, "It was without doubt Tony's love of spotting an opportunity which sparked life into the embryonic contacts between musicians which evolved into DEEP PURPLE, and which he and business partner John Coletta (who died in 2006) sunk money into for a couple of years until the breakthrough album 'In Rock' justified the faith of all concerned."

Ritchie Blackmore has released the following statement via the BLACKMORE'S NIGHT web site:

[Holymagica]

According to JonLord.org, former DEEP PURPLE keyboardist Jon Lord will perform four concerts in Russia in April, taking in both Moscow and St. Petersburg but also Rostov-on-Don and Krasnodar. The shows will feature Hungarian DEEP PURPLE tribute band CRY FREE, and two different orchestras (depending on the city) as well as singers to be confirmed.

The dates are as follows:

April 12 - Krasnodar, Russia - DI Primiera
April 14 - Rostov-On-Don, Russia - KSK Express
April 17 - St Petersburg, Russia - BKZ Oktyabrskiy Concert Hall
April 20 - Moscow, Russia - Crocus City Hall

Lucky Russians

[Holymagica]

Loads of Deep Purple related news out today....
Myles Kennedy (ALTER BRIDGE, SLASH), Brad Whitford (AEROSMITH), Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION), Joe Bonnamassa (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION) and Steve Morse (DEEP PURPLE) are among the musicians who will appear on the forthcoming tribute album to late DEEP PURPLE guitarist Tommy Bolin.

Journalist and "Touched by Magic: The Tommy Bolin Story" book author Greg Prato recently spoke to the CD's producer, Greg Hampton, about the forthcoming release. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Q: How did the idea of the Tommy Bolin tribute CD come up?

Greg Hampton: Warren Haynes and I starting talking about it in 2008. He seemed the best choice to co-produce since he also knows and loves Tommy's music, and we have been for many years and he is also one of the greatest guitarists/musicians of the last 25 years to emerge… he is highly respected around the world.

Q: Who's on the Bolin tribute CD?

Greg Hampton: Myles Kennedy, Warren Haynes, Brad Whitford, Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonnamassa, Peter Frampton, Steve Lukather, Steve Morse, Nels Cline, John Scofield, and quite a few other surprises!

Q: What are some standout memories of the sessions and working with the
musicians?

Greg Hampton: Brad Whitford was great; Glenn Hughes singing, because of his history with Tommy; Myles Kennedy is really no question one of the great rock singers to EVER come from the USA — brilliant! They were all special — each session had its own little cool moments.

Q: What are some of the great performances (songs) on it?

Greg Hampton: Joe Bonamassa was amazing on "Lotus", Steve Lukather on "Homeward Strut" — they were all jaw-dropping performances. Every player really was enjoying themselves, so it was really a blast.

Check out more photos from the recording sessions at TBolin.com.

To many, Tommy Bolin was the legitimate heir to Jimi Hendrix's rock guitar throne. Stints with the JAMES GANG and DEEP PURPLE — as well as solo albums and a groundbreaking release with jazz-rocker Billy Cobham — certainly proved that the adulation was rightly deserved. And with a techno-color fashion sense, he certainly stood out from the pack. Only one problem, Tommy had a death-defying drug addiction, which ultimately would lead to a premature and tragic end — before he was able to truly take his standing among the elite musicians of the world.

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IAN GILLAN Says 'It's About Time' For DEEP PURPLE To Begin Work On New Album
DEEP PURPLE, one of Britain's foremost hard rock bands, took part in a press conference yesterday (Tuesday, February 22) in Mexico City ahead of the group's short tour of Mexico.

When asked if there are any plans for DEEP PURPLE to record a new studio album soon, the band's vocalist, Ian Gillan, replied, "I guess it's about time, isn't it?! So we're gonna get together and have a writing session quite soon. And if we get excited, then we'll probably have another [album finished and ready for release] shortly after that. We'll see how it goes. But there's no plans. But I think we're getting poked by various connections who would like to see another DEEP PURPLE record. So I think it's about time."

[adiszul]

Jon Lord has serious problem with health. Fu***** cancer.
I send You my best wishes Master, get well soon.
_________________
So live for today
Tomorrow never comes