A Deep Purple Mk III reunion? Lars is up for it!
The February edition of Classic Rock (issue No.128) features… wait for it… Deep Purple on the cover.
Our epic 20-page article covers all aspects of the Purps, from the Mk I line-up in the late 1960s to the current Mk VIII roster.
We thought you might be interested in this advance missive about Purple Mk III, which includes contributions from a certain drummer by the name of Lars Ulrich…
Words: Peter Makowski
With such a rapid rise and demise, the Deep Purple Mk III saga has always had an air of unfinished business about it.
There have constantly been rumours regarding a reunion backed up with insanely lucrative offers from promoters, especially in Japan where this particular line-up never made an appearance.
In separate interviews David Coverdale, Glenn Hughes and Jon Lord have all intimated they would be up for it, and all parties have recently been in contact with Ritchie Blackmore.
In fact the only block to the band re-forming, surprisingly enough, could be Ian Paice who as a member of the current Purple would probably find it difficult and uncomfortable to get involved.
But there is a solution in the form of Metallica’s suave sticksman, Lars Ulrich, who would be more than happy to ‘do a Grohl’ and deputise on drums for a one-off event.
A hard-core Purple fan, Ulrich was fortunate enough to see Purple Mk III at their first show, at the KB Hallen in Copenhagen in 1973.
“That was the famous gig where in a newspaper article the day after, Coverdale was talking about puking in the toilets backstage before the show, he was so fired up with nerves,” Lars recalled, laughing at the memory.
“I remember they played a lot of new songs, I was all of nine years old.”
Lars even admits to being a big fan of Stormbringer, Purple Mk III’s second and final studio album: “I think that Soldier Of Fortune and The Gypsy stand out and have aged well compared to the rest of the record.
“I hope that one day Metallica will do a version of one of those songs; James Hetfield could sing Soldier Of Fortune beautifully.”
And as for the reunion?
Ulrich: “I know there’s talk about the fact that if they got Coverdale, Hughes, Lord and Blackmore together they would have four members who aren’t in the current Deep Purple – then they just need a drummer, I’ll volunteer myself for that [laughs].
“If they need a drummer, David Coverdale has my number.”
* The February edition of Classic Rock goes on sale on Wednesday, January 7. A re-mastered version of Stormbringer with bonus tracks is released on February 23.
Wow, that would be great! Would Blackmore really play with them though, I find that surprising!? And I didn’t think Jon Lord would come out of retirement, but would be worth it. I imagine it would be extremely hard or expensive to get a ticket for a show like that.
It would be great to see MkIII together for a tour, though with Lars in the drum seat, it wouldn’t be MkIII, regardless of how good they were. I would probably stump up for an expensive ticket for this lot.
well for one..I highly doubt Richie Blackmore is going to play with Deep Purple again. We have a better chance of seeing with with Rainbow.Secondly there is no way Lars could play Ian Paices parts..
No Paice No good..he is the only one holding the original band name together..
[...] decide to go ahead with a proposed reunion tour. In separate interviews for February edition of Classic Rock magazine (issue No.128), David Coverdale (vocals), Glenn Hughes (bass, vocals) and Jon Lord [...]
yeah but i don’t think the current purple line up would be too pleased, for me lars would be o.k. but he needs to sort his earing out first! his drum sound of late is bloody awful ha ha! we don’t wan’t his drouning out poor david on vocals he’s not as young as he used to be ha ha!
Give it miss lads. You don’t need the money. Burn was okay, but Strombringer is dated badly and caused Blackmore to leave anyway. What’s the point?
Would be a dream come true for me but The only problem is Lars has no feel unlike Paicey who oozes it
I don’t see how Paice couldn’t be involved if it was just for a one off. It’s not like he would be leaving the current line-up, plus with the attention it would get in the mainstream press it would probably help the current line-up in the future.
Yeah Lars, but the problem is Deep Purple needs a good drummer, not someone who couldn’t keep a steady beat even with a drum computer!
The problem with Ian Paice could easily be solved: Deep Purple Mark II & III should tour together!! Of course, this means that John Lord, Ian Paice and Sir Richard of Blackmore would have to do double duty but I’m sure they can pull it off. Mk III goes on first, then Mk II (or vice versa). And Lord Coverdale and Gillan could sing a few songs together during the encores. Two Deep Purples for the price of one, so to speak (although two Purples for the price of three seems more likely these days).
The real problem would be to deliver Blackmore… And by the way, Coverdale can’t sing anymore. On stage it’s currently a real nightmare
[...] Classic Rock is reporting, perhaps tongue in cheek, of the possibility of a Deep Purple Mk III reunion. There have constantly been rumours regarding a reunion backed up with insanely lucrative offers from promoters, especially in Japan where this particular line-up never made an appearance. [...]
Jon Lord has made a statement towards these rumours of a DP Mark 3 reunion:
‘It all seems like a lot of hot air and wild speculation to me.’
Read the rest of the comment here:
http://jonlord.org/2009/01/06/mark-3-reunion-hot-air-and-wild-speculations/
[...] separate interviews for February edition of Classic Rock magazine (issue No.128), David Coverdale (vocals), Glenn Hughes (bass, vocals) and Jon Lord [...]
People might just want to check out Jon Lord’s website …
True star that he is & I have nothing but the utmost respect for him, has shot this Lars theory down I’m very glad to say!
http://jonlord.org/2009/01/06/mark-3-reunion-hot-air-and-wild-speculations/
I agree, it should be Paicey in there “if” it’s going to happen.
Al
No paice no Purple, no Plant no Zep simple.You guys have got to stop extracting money off of overzeoulous fans who long for that old magic and only get half the trick.
PB – whilst I agree with you that Blackmore would be the deal breaker….how can you say that Coverdale cannot sing anymore? Did you catch the ‘Snakes on their last tour? He was friggen awesome!
Coverdale must have had a serious off night in Cardiff then during the last tour with Def Leppard & Thunder. His tendancy was to shout when he couldn’t hit the intended notes. Very enjoyable experience nonetheless, but unless proven otherwise he is definitely on the decline. To be fair Danny Bowes outshone both Coverdale and Elliot.
Although I agree Lars is no Ian Paice, it’d be worth having him on drums just to see Mk 3 reunited. Unfortunately, as mentionned earlier Lordy has shot down this theory.
lars couldn’t play purple he’s just not good enough
he’s style is to personal (crap) to work with any other band but his own, also i’d can’t see mr blackmore doing ether ,shame i’d would have liked to see the lads live.
Coverdale and Hughes are the best vocal duo in the history of rock!!!
Deep Purple mark 3 are much better than DP with Gillan and Glover ,much more class !
I’ve got to agree with marco.. Coverdale and Hughes are the best vocal duo in the history of rock!!! And btw Gillan can’t sing no more.. Coverdale is great, and Hughes better than ever!
[...] por el bater