Post by classic rock revival on Apr 23, 2011 16:16:23 GMT -6
CLASSIC ROCK REVIVAL INTERVIEW
IAN GILLAN
This is an interview I did with Ian Gillan in 2003.
Jim: The new Deep Purple CD "Bananas", is a great follow up to "Purpendicular". How did you guys come up with the concept for it?
Ian: Not really a concept as such. A simple photograph in an Australian newspaper, spotted by Roger Glover inspired thoughts of exploitation generally and also political shenanigans within the Idiocracy (E.U. Regulators). You can find many references and much more detailed information at my website Caramba HYPERLINK "http://www.gillan.com" www.gillan.com specifically in the Q @ A section or some of the recent Dear Friends articles. There is also a search engine for serious trawling.
Jim: "House Of Pain", and "Walk On" are classic Purple rockers. What new songs will you be including in your live shows?
Ian: You are right; they are in the style of 'classic' Purple. Both of those songs were mainly written by our brilliant producer Michael Bradford. The live show has so far included: 'House of Pain'…'Haunted'…Silver Tongue'…I Got Your Number'…'Bananas'…'Doing It Tonight'…and…'Contact Lost'.
Jim: Steve Morse has been a great a addition to the band. I didn't think anyone could replace Ritchie, but Steve has proven he's every bit as good as Ritchie.
Ian: What can I say? Steve has won over so many old and new fans.
Jim: You have a new keyboard player, Don Airey. Can you tell us a little bit about Don, and what's up with Jon Lord these days?
Ian: Same with Don, his background is well known and his contribution is spot-on. I spoke to Jon the other day from a restaurant in Denmark and he regularly calls us backstage to say 'Hi'. He is doing well and is now able to devote all his time to writing orchestral pieces. He misses the shows sometimes but says that the desire fades quickly when he looks at our schedules.
Jim: How did you and Roger Glover come to join Deep Purple back in '69?
Ian: We were invited. After great success in the U.S.A. with 'Hush'…'Kentucky Woman'…'River Deep Mountain High' etc. Jon, Ritchie and Paicey decided to stop doing covers and move in a new direction. Roger and I were with a band called Episode Six and we joined DP not just as a singer and a bass player, but as a songwriting team also. Deep Purple in Rock was our first writing effort, although Jon Lord's Concerto for Group and Orchestra actually preceded that.
Jim: After the "Who Do We Think We Are" album, you and Roger left the band. Can you tell us the story behind that?
Ian: It's a long story, but basically we got fed up with the way things were going. It happens.
Jim: How did the "Perfect Strangers" album and tour come about?
Ian: It was time to see if we could get it back together, we had secret rehearsals first and then went for it. We had started the process a year earlier but it took a while for everyone to fulfill their solo commitments.
Jim: When you joined Deep Purple in '69, did you think that it would last as long as it has? It's been 35 years and Deep Purple is still recording new music and enjoying tremendous success.
Ian: I don't think any of us looked that far ahead; we were just having a good time. We are still having a good time and I think that is mainly because we have followed our own path.
Jim: All musicians have silly road stories to tell. Can you share one with us?
Ian: Yes, you can find this story and many others at HYPERLINK "http://www.gillan.com" www.gillan.com in the 'anecdotage' section of Caramba. INCLUDEPICTURE \d \z "globe2.gif"# 6 Sheffield City Hall - '81
The Hall manager, Mrs Carrick, now retired, would arrange a settlement for damages after the show. The cost of broken seats etc. would be offset against the artist's fee. Paul Darwin, the promoter's representative and tour manager, having done the settlement, and joining the band for his first beverage of the day, was surprised when Mrs Carrick appeared in the dressing room door, two bottles of Guinness (for the old man) peeping out of the pockets of her fur coat. "Come with me young man!" "What's that?" said Paul. "Damage in the Gent's toilet; the main one in t'foyer." She growled "But Mrs Carrick we've already checked, it's perfect." She beckoned with her forefinger. Paul rolled his eyes and put down his beer, "See you in a minute lads." In the Gent's toilet..."There", she said. Paul looked around, he was irritated by now; his professional day was over and he was looking forward to sinking a few beers. "Well to be honest, Mrs Carrick, it's just the same as when we checked earlier. Look the roller towels are all neat and still on the wall, there's no blood or vomit, none of the mirrors are cracked. Nothing is broken. I can see no visible damage. Look, twelve toilet pans in a row, neat as you like." "Exactly", said Mrs Carrick. "What do you mean?", moaned Paul. "Well", she said "Those twelve toilet pans are normally surrounded by cubicles."
Jim: Is it true that a lunatic fan opened fire at the stage with a handgun at a show in the early 70's?
Ian: Not that I noticed. The only incident of that nature that I can recall was the flare gun fired into the ceiling of the Montreux Casino as we were watching Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention prior to recording Machine Head. The event was immortalized in the lyrics of 'Smoke on the Water'. (Editor's note: "I was refering to a different incident I read in Circus magazine many years ago."
Jim: Are there any artists you haven't worked with that you'd like to work with?
Ian: Yes, quite a lot, but I'd rather not say because the next thing that would happen is that one of these artists would receive an email from a fan saying Ian Gillan wants to make a record with you, and, that's not how we do things.
Jim: What's your opinion of the music scene today? Are they any new rock bands you like?
Ian: I can't really comment on the music 'scene' today, because it seems dominated by the media as opposed to the A & R policies of the record companies. However, live music is thriving and that is the life blood of any musical scenario.
Jim: Last question. If you were a concert promoter putting together a Rock Festival, with Deep Purple headlining, what other 4 bands would you include on the bill?
Ian: Status Quo, Iron Maiden, Uriah Heep and Lynyrd Skynyrd. That's just some of my mates and I chose them for the after show party, not the billing. However that would be some show.
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