Date: Sat, 17 Aug 1996 20:06:01 +0200 
From: cmather <cmather@enternet.com.au> 
Subject: Met Purple in Oz -circa 1984 

Back in about December 1984 Deep Purple had reformed and begun a world tour commencing in Australia. I had been a fanatical fan (and still am) of the band since 1971 and was delighted that a gig had been arranged for Canberra, the Nations Capital - but only a provicial city of around 200,000 inhabitants.

This was heaven on earth. Two days prior to the gig I went to the Bruce Stadium and watched the carpenters erecting the stage floor and surrounds. I never slept that night.

About six hours before the show was to begin I drove out to Bruce Stadium to sneak a look. There was the stage in all its majesty, with Ian's bongos, Jons keyboards, Rogers bass and TMIB armourary - including Tauraus bass pedals and the 'tape player; used with such dramtic effect.

I was able to just walk around the stage and there were a few Japanese tourists taking some photos. To my surprise I walked outide and saw a convoy of hired Mercedes Benz station wagons pull up about 10 metres from where I was standing. I thought "Oh no this can't be Purple can it?". Indeed it was. I was disappointed to see TMIB get into the back of one of a car and be driven away, but I got to say 'Gday' to Ian and Rodger (together), then Jon as they entered the stadium. I then heard and witnessed the most amazing sound chech with renditions of Here Comes the Bride and other such songs. The drums seemed to take forever to get right. I saw the concert hours later (and even have a private copy of it - courtesy of my 'lecture recorder') and I listen to that tape sometimes. The Canberra gig was great and you could even by six packs of Victoria Bitter beer as well - pure bliss.

I saw the band in Melbourne 2 weeks later, again a great show but no beer and very tight security, with Ian introing TMIB twice , because Ritchie had gone and stood beside Jon. A truely great moment.

An event to behold.

Cheers,
Colin Mather

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