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To infinity and beyond
Several of our regulars contacted us wondering why we did not report on the rumours that upcoming Deep Purple tour will be their last. The truth is, there is not much to report. So far, there has been just that — rumours and innuendo.
Let me inject a healthy dose of scepticism into what you may have read elsewhere.
The first source of said rumours were the Hellfest organizers, who briefly put up a flyer suggesting that this will be the band’s last tour. It was quickly taken down and replaced with one without such claims. And we all know that promoters will say just about anything that will not land them in jail to sell tickets. So, on a scale of trustworthiness, this is rather close to 0 than to 10.
The second source (which Simon Robinson cited without link) is the Spanish site The Metal Circus. A post dated November 29 states that:
Hace escasos minutos hemos estado en contacto con una fuente muy cercana al management de la mítica banda británica Deep Purple, quien nos ha confirmado que, en efecto, Deep Purple se despiden de los escenarios de todo el mundo con su próxima gira.
Now, my Spanish is nonexistent, but Google translation does not bring in a lot of confidence either:
A few minutes ago we have been in contact with a [source] close to the management of the legendary British band Deep Purple, who has confirmed to us that indeed, Deep Purple [will say] goodbye to the stages around the world with their upcoming tour.
“A source close to management”? Really? I wonder what is Spanish for “hearsay”…
On a side note: personally, I decided some time ago to follow the example of a fellow fan and to treat every Deep Purple show as the last chance to see the band. Let’s face it: the esteemed gentlemen are getting to that stage in their lives, where anything can happen at any minute, and plans be damned. So, for me it does not really matter whether the band is planning their retirement or not. I’ll be just grateful if they indeed continue for another couple of years, as Gillan suggested in recent interviews, and will give me another chance to go and see them doing what they do best.
I wish you the same.
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
Long life Deep Purple..!
November 30th, 2016 at 19:12Amen to that!!
November 30th, 2016 at 19:32How many tours were announced as farewells? Since 2010, right. Now someone steps over Gillan’s claim for the usual two years tour with no vision after that.
November 30th, 2016 at 19:47Well…I work with the band since 1998..It`s not a secret.Purple will say bye with this tour.The plan is to be on stage until 2018,when the band gonna be 50 years old,they stop making music.They are bored and tired.It`s all about the respect to the fans and the band.Make it 50 years and good bye.
November 30th, 2016 at 19:57The last 3 final shows has booked already for October of 2018.1 in France and 2 of them in the UK.
Spanish music site Metal Circus contacted the bands management and were indeed told by them that this would be the bands last album and tour hence the flyers in France having ‘Final Tour’ on them. It will be a 2yr tour with the end coinciding with the bands 50th anniversary.
November 30th, 2016 at 19:57So by my calculations we’re owed 2 tours in the next round. Couldn’t get to the O2 for their last UK tour so haven’t seen them since the wonderful Jon Lord concert at the Albert Hall.
November 30th, 2016 at 20:01I really don’t mind if they retire .. They deserve it . they have done great songs
November 30th, 2016 at 20:042018 will be 50 years of DP, so it makes sense to start the farewell tour in 2017 to finish it in 2018, with encores included. Anyone surprised? I am not…
November 30th, 2016 at 22:06The name of the last album is “Infinite”. the graphic design tells us about the secret message: in-finite…
You can find three more dates fore Germany at the website “bonnticket.de” (which is related to eventim.de, but I know from other shows that you can find some future dates before being confirmed officially mostly 99 % fitting to official announcements): 06.06.17 Cologne, 09.06.17 Leipzig and 10.06.17 Frankfurt.
Two of them are named “Farewell Tour”.
So, in my opinion, it´s clear (and sad :,-( ) – Deep Purple will start their last tour… but I hope they will extend it into 2018…
November 30th, 2016 at 23:32Last chance(s) to see….. just wondered if the band members have put any thought into having themselves cloned?!. Lol. 😉
December 1st, 2016 at 00:24Well,# 4 has made some fairly definitive assertions,final dates and all..
December 1st, 2016 at 00:38Is the cat out of the bag ??
Or is “Someone “just winding us up ?
This is a double edged weapon to use to get the fans going crazy about seeing DP shows. If they play that card people might think that their shows are so weak in energy and content so the band can finish the two year tour. I said it long time ago that they should tour less and do bigger arenas. Easier said than done I guess.
December 1st, 2016 at 01:22I would be surprised if this were not the band’s last tour and finale. Deep Purple has given far, far more than any of us deserve. For that I am “infinately” appreciative and grateful.
December 1st, 2016 at 01:59I would be surprised if this were not the band’s last tour and finale. Deep Purple has given far, far more than any of us deserve. For that I am “infinitely” appreciative and grateful.
December 1st, 2016 at 02:07Deep Purple never said anything like that! Ian Gillan said, Deep Purple will tour for 2 years in Promotion for Infinitive and after it he said that Deep Purple may go on for another few years…
December 1st, 2016 at 06:15Nothing to worry about!
last album and last tour i hope..i love them but ..the time has come…its’ not right making lps and tours until the age of 80….50 years, 2018 perfect and the end!
December 1st, 2016 at 07:44Sometime we all have to realize, that the Purple touring machine will stop for retirement.
LLRnR
kraatzy
And after that … it s time for Deep Purple tribute bands like “Demon´s Eye” to open the throttle 🙂 🙂
December 1st, 2016 at 09:16They shouldn’t…. but I guess they will. At the end of upcoming tour Ian Gillan and Roger Glover will turn 74.
December 1st, 2016 at 10:4550 YEARS is something worth celebrating, indeed. Great to have one more albumful of music by them. We long time fans are getting old as well. Purple has been an essential part of the soundtrack of our lives. Still sounding good. Thank you chaps! And goodbye! (after 2018 I mean).
PS. I hope Mr. Glover will find the time to finalise his memoirs after that.
December 1st, 2016 at 12:07Why everybody still believe there will a “LAST ? .. Such word does not exist in music industry… Is all about money.. That’s all .. Please stop being so naive
December 1st, 2016 at 15:17As i said i work with the Purple since 1998 , i`ll give you some dates for the next year.On saturday i`ll get the dates of the first period (between may and nov of 2017)
Deep Purple 23 January 2017 Robin 2 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
December 1st, 2016 at 17:06Deep Purple 17 May 2017 Wiener Stadthalle Halle D Bezirk Rudolfsheim Fünfhaus, Austria
Deep Purple 17 June 2017 Hellfest , France
Oh after the last tour which is ending at october 2018 , there is gonna be only one special show in 2020
December 1st, 2016 at 17:16Deep Purple 19 february 2020 @ Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium (organizer SonicLiving-Events)
Well said that man !
December 1st, 2016 at 19:54@4 : someone tells not the truth… -and I don’t like the style of someone
December 1st, 2016 at 20:14Just like all the old rockers. Every day it could be their last show. These guys have lived HARD! Illness or disease takes such a toll out of you in later years that if anyone of them got real sick, they might not even be able to play again no matter how much they love it! Not everyone can be like Keith Richards! LOL!
December 1st, 2016 at 20:25@ 20 – Oh really, ‘Someone’. That is the Glenn Hughes gig… :)))
http://www.therobin.co.uk/whats_on/giginfo.asp?gigid=4802
If you have worked with Purple, than I am Gillan’s Maria Magdalena…
December 1st, 2016 at 22:13Someone mentions Purple playing the Robin2 Wolverhampton? It’s only a 700 seater and on that date I think Glenn Hughes is playing. However I do believe this will be last tour.
December 1st, 2016 at 22:57“Someone” told me in 1988 that this band was finished (I think it was few time before “Nobody’s perfect”). Eight (superb) albums and 28 years later they are still there and we are still here, waiting for the new jewel. Now What?! is their best with SM and their 5th best album overall.
Stop producing empty comments and boring predictions, please! Long live the highway stars!!
December 1st, 2016 at 23:14@20, the “Deep Purple 23 January 2017 Robin 2 in Wolverhampton” gig is Glenn Hughes, not DP.
December 2nd, 2016 at 00:48Maybe “someone” tell the truth,i just found this:
December 2nd, 2016 at 01:32TICKETS
Deep Purple – A Long Goodbye WIEN – Tickets
Wed, 5/17/17, 7:30 PM
Wiener Stadthalle Halle D
Dr. Roland Rainer Platz / Eingang Märzpark,
1150 WIEN
Here is the link:
http://www.oeticket.com/deep-purple-wien-Tickets.html?affiliate=BIT&doc=artistPages%2Ftickets&fun=artist&action=tickets&key=1552189%249182728&jumpIn=yTix&kuid=507025&language=en
Leipzig, Frankfurt, Koln, Wien // arena dates popped up on ticketing web sites Eventim.de and Bonnticket.de
December 2nd, 2016 at 02:43Deep Purple will tour the UK in November 2017 with the “inFinite – The Long Goodbye Tour” with special guests, Europe!…SO ITS THE TRUTH, SAD BAT NESSESERY…
December 2nd, 2016 at 09:16@20
December 2nd, 2016 at 09:1923 January 2017 Robin 2 in Wolverhampton = Glenn Hughes concert
It looks like the first single from the new album is out Jan 20th.
http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/deep-purple-announces-the-long-goodbye-tour/
December 2nd, 2016 at 10:10@20 – I was about to start considering what you were saying, but there is very little chance of Purple playing at the Robin 2. It only holds 700 people – the band would have to play 10 – 14 days on the trot!
December 2nd, 2016 at 12:03Hi someone
I’m sorry, but you don’t tell the truth:
23 January 2017 Robin 2 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
…this is a Glenn Hughes gig. A Concert booked for 2020, 4 years. All Bandmembers of Purple are older than 62, so it’s total crap to believe this. As sad as it is: Who tells you that all of them will be alive then?
December 2nd, 2016 at 12:26Let’s hope they go out with dignity unlike the farce that is developing with Status Quo.
December 2nd, 2016 at 13:43The poster for The Long Goodbye Tour is on Purple’s Facebook page.
December 2nd, 2016 at 14:02Retirement seems certain.
Tickets for the date in Wien are already available on http://www.eventim.de
December 2nd, 2016 at 15:25@4….’someone’……..well, I’ve worked with the band since 1996, and you certainly don’t sound like anyone on the crew or the immediate entourage, yet you seem to have more info than we or the band do……..come on….out yourself…….as they say in my country, ‘put up or shut up’
December 2nd, 2016 at 15:48It’s the end indeed…
http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/deep-purple-announces-the-long-goodbye-tour/
December 2nd, 2016 at 15:48Oh……and the ‘Robin 2’ in Wolverhampton as the first date??? A 700 capacity venue………I think not. You are an imposter and making things up.
December 2nd, 2016 at 15:58Guys stop talking trash!!! Let’s wait and see what will happening. I can’t see them ending touring because they won’t. They will not sitting at home and doing nothing. Maybe it is their last studio album but not the end. They will carry on and on!! Deep Purple will not doing such a disgraceful ending like Blackmore in 2016.
December 3rd, 2016 at 15:01Actually there will be more dates to come. I have these from a source that I don’t want to name here.
All verified and confirmed.
13 February 2017 Offenbach – Turbinenhalle (Germany)
14 February 2017 Heidenheim (Germany)
18 February 2017 Stuttgart (Germany
In June they will play 2 gigs in Netherlands and Luxemburg.
23 June 2017 Luxemburg City (Rockhal) Luxemburg
24 June 2017 Tilburg (Netherlands)
19 September Brussels (Belgium)
20 September Marseille (again) France
21 September Paris I (France)
22 September Paris II (France)
17 October Madrid (Spain)
18 October Barcelona (Spain)
More to come.
The last shows are indeed planned for 2018, as stated above already by others. They will call it quits due to age and health reasons.
The final shows will be taped for future DVD/Blu-Ray release.
Just what I know from people who know it. Cheers.
December 4th, 2016 at 18:50Hey James (#43)…….
December 4th, 2016 at 21:09As I said to your alter ego earlier…..you are making this up. Why, I have no idea, but the motivation of some strange folk is a mystery to me, being a simple soul and all that 🙂
Of course they will retire! At age 75, it will be hard for them. Probably it’s allready hard. What do you expect people? Having them onstage playing highway star at age 90? Let me laugh! (Of course, “who knows”? But let’s see Chuck Berry… he was great at 70. Now is another story)
We can imagine they will continue something, but touring as hard as they always did? Certainly not!
So it’s normal, if they wanna stop.
Now… let’s see.
But I surely won’t miss InFinite and the opportunity seeing them for the 15th time, on this tour! =)
December 5th, 2016 at 10:40Maybe several times, as I live in Europe, they happen to tour a lot in the area. He he!
Well. I’ve been in over 25 shows and always enjoyed them as if they were the last one.
So… In finite, “no pity in this fifth cell”.
Lets celebrate!
December 22nd, 2016 at 03:42