![[hand]](/hs-pics/portraits/hands/gillan3.jpg)
![[face]](/hs-pics/portraits/faces/paice.jpg)
Dressing up for tea with Dmitry
On March 22 Deep Purple were guests of the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at his official residence in Gorki, near Moscow. They reportedly had some tea (at least while the press was around). Medvedev Jr., aged 15, got a chance to jam with the band on his guitar. Paicey presented the prez with a pair of his drum sticks.
Thanks to RIA Novosti for the info and to Presidential Press and Information Service for the pictures.
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
wow, so that’s how roger’s head looks like without his bandana 🙂
March 23rd, 2011 at 22:52Roger with his hat OFF… I hardly recognized him.
March 24th, 2011 at 01:11Yes, DP is relevant. It’s just taken some 40 years for the rest of the world to find out what we’ve known all along.
March 24th, 2011 at 01:25Mother Russia! 😀
March 24th, 2011 at 07:05A rare picture of Roger without a cap!
March 24th, 2011 at 08:09Well it certainly pays to have friends in “high places”!!
So who was the guy in the red striped shirt?? Is it the guy who usually has the bandanna?? That famous bass player maybe??
So when are the guys going to make it back to OZ, and a new album, Please!!
March 24th, 2011 at 10:16Rockin’ with the Russians!!!!! I don’t want to even guess WHAT the American President likes
March 24th, 2011 at 10:23Medvedev Jr. is so lucky! I’m at his age, and it would be amazing to jam with Deep Purple, but it would be all right if I didn’t, cause’ I don’t know how to play any instrument. 🙂
March 24th, 2011 at 12:41According to the Kremlin’s page (and their photo captions), the meeting was on 22nd March, the evening before the concert, not 23rd March. “March 23, 2011, 16:00” (on http://eng.kremlin.ru/) is the time it was reported, not when it happened.
March 24th, 2011 at 12:42Here’s a Russian TV news item: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XJP9_tozls
ha ha!check out rodgers clip on syrup/ponytail combo! at least all the tour loot was spent well! a ginger one too! blackmore must be kicking himself!
March 24th, 2011 at 15:40In the last photo is Ian is explaining the lyrics to Mutually Assured Destruction or Child in Time?
March 24th, 2011 at 15:44The first thing which comes to my mind was:
It’s a long time ago, that I saww Roger without bandanna….
But it’s OK!
KArl-Heinz
March 24th, 2011 at 15:51Isn’t it great to have friends that can (and frequently do) have journalists killed if they don’t write what they want them to write? This is sickening.
March 24th, 2011 at 18:13Nigel @9: you’re absolutely right. thanks for spotting this.
March 24th, 2011 at 18:36I love it!!! The picture of me with the band meant a lot to me before, but now it means even more!! These guys are great! SM is even wearing one of his best tee-shirts!!!
March 24th, 2011 at 18:58– what are they having?
Tea, jam and Danish doughnuts?
March 24th, 2011 at 19:12Glover without hat? he looks really…ehm…different…
March 24th, 2011 at 19:38I figured Roger was bald underneath the bandanna that’s why he wears it. Looks like he still has a pretty full head of hair to me. He should go on stage without the bandanna. As far as I can tell from the picture he does not need it.
March 24th, 2011 at 22:05They should think twice before dealing with a non democratic system…
March 24th, 2011 at 22:17At least they are appreciated in Russia. A far cry from the way the US has Purple as a secondary band.
March 25th, 2011 at 03:01I don’t care if they deal with a non democratic system UNTIL they play private shows for their representatives for the government’s money = people’s money. That’s just not right.
March 25th, 2011 at 06:53rock meets politics. fantastic!!!!
March 25th, 2011 at 08:17Check the last shot.
March 25th, 2011 at 10:31Ian Paice didn’t quite like the tea…:)
a few comments:
– meeting the president of a country does not mean you agree with every policy in that country! But it’s a great honour for the band and it’s a shame they don’t get the sasme level of recognition closer to home..
– Paicey looks scared of whatever is in his teacup in that last pic 🙂
March 25th, 2011 at 12:53@ 19 ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!!
March 25th, 2011 at 12:53~ its good to see the band invited to tea in Russia. i certainly hope Gillan will learn a thing or two and improve on his wardrobes, espcially when he’s on stage.
no matter what you think of Ritchie, it does take a genius to see that he is meticulous over every single detail, and looking like a poofter in in white t-shirt and blue jeans like a garbage collector is not what purple is about. call Jon Lord and he’ll give us some insights on it.
March 25th, 2011 at 13:15I am in agreement with pjoslo above “meeting the president of a country does not mean you agree with every policy in that country!”
As a long time fan, since 1968, I think it’s great. Music is the universal language. Pjoslo, you should see the way DP is treated here in the U.S. One would think their career ended with “Smoke on the Water,” thanks to “classic rock” radio, grrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!
March 25th, 2011 at 14:31@ 13 HEIMDALL Do you have any evidence for the accusations against Mr Medvedev.. or are you just throwing myths around?
March 25th, 2011 at 16:53I could just as easily accuse you for being a contract killer.. right?
Mr Medvedev is leading russia in the right way.. it will take awhile though.
#19 Are you sleeping well?))))))))))))))))))))))))))
March 25th, 2011 at 18:242 19 and some others…Mr Medvedev is DP’s fan from 14 years old.
March 25th, 2011 at 19:132 13 so, do you really think that such a man “can (and frequently do) have journalists killed if they don’t write what they want them to write?”
I think you don’t read morning yellow newspapers.))))
THANXSUPER!!! MAYBE IF YALL WANT SOME ONE CAN WRITE THANK PREZ DMITRY POLITELY FOR THE PARTY & ASK IF THEY CAN HONOUR ROGER & DP WITH FANCY EMBROIDERED HATS LIKE COSMONAUTS & ASTRONAUTS GET WHEN THEY LAND AT KAZAKSTAN THAT BE GROOVIEST EVER & ROGER CAN WEAR ON STAGE!!!!!! 1985 HARTFORD^CT^USA I LUCKY IN HEADSHOP IN MALL~IAN GILLAN HAD WHITE SPACETYPE SUIT SINGIN NEW SONG ABOUT ~ AURORA BOREALIS ~ TO ROOF ~ BOUGHT LOT FANCY STUFF FROM HAPPY GIRL!!!!!! ~ ALL DP WENT IN CAFE BOUGHT ALL WHO GOT IN DINDIN!!!!! ~ KINDA LIKE THIS PARTY = AT SHOW GILLAN HAD SUPER BROOVIEST ORANGE BELLBOTTOM SUIT NO TIE = AWESOME!!!!! = BE XCLNT IF HE WEAR AT BIG PREZ PARTY!!!!! PREZ DMITRY IS HAPPY 2011 MARCH CELEBRATE 50 YR YURI GAGARIN !!!!! 4REAL YOU OR GILLAN CAN RIDE 4REAL TO SPACE STATION IN SOYUZ IF YA GIVE PREZ DMITRY $20 MIL & GET TRAINING!!!!! ~ LAST PIC IGUESS IS GILLAN NEXT TO PAICY WEARING THE FASHIONISTA FRANKENSTEIN CLASSIC WHITE T & BLACK BLAZER ~ ANYWAY TO ME HE LOOKS LIKE ERIC IDLE MONTY PYTHON SAYING JABBERWOCKY PUSILANIMOUS FUNNY ENDLESS STUFF!!!!! MAYBE RITCHIE WILL ONLY GO IF THEY SUPPLY HIM A FANCY HORSE CARRIAGE & USE CANDLES & PLAY JIGS & POLKAS!!!!! WISH WE SEE RITCHIE DOIN THE RUSSIAN DANCE SUPER!!!!! JLT SANG 4 PREZ PUTIN YA WROTE ON HERE ~ JLT HAD WORLDS GREATEST TIME THEY ROLLED OUT RED CARPET!!!!! I HOPE IT BE SUPER GROOVIEST IF THEY ADD PURPLE STRIPE ON GROOVY RUSSIAN FLAG!!!!! WISH WE ALL BE AT ALL THE SUPER PARTIES!!!!! PURPLEPRIEST CAN WEAR SUPER PRIEATSUIT SUPER!!!!!DOSVEDONYA!!!!! YEEEEE~HAAAAAW!!!!!!!!!!
March 25th, 2011 at 20:23roger does have hair
March 25th, 2011 at 23:27There isn’t a Political or Nationalistic entity that does not have some blood on it’s hands (The exceptions to this will catch up with the rest in time).
I have friends who are imprisioned & harassed for their beliefs, despite obeying the law & never taking up Arms against fellow man – Yes in Russia!
Let’s hope that the sentiment in the lyrics of ‘Child in Time’ along with other expressions on Freedom of speech ig has penned, begin to thaw the Permafrost of Paranoid Powermungers the world over!
With no Headwear on Mr Glover’s head the Ideas for the next DP album must surely be flowing – Get them on Tape boys!
March 25th, 2011 at 23:28wow!!! morse is short
March 26th, 2011 at 01:05They may be dragged from their beds and find themselves spending the remainder of their days in some siberian gulag! Damn those KGB!
Or maybe certain people should just ‘get a grip’!
March 26th, 2011 at 09:18The Stinking Hippie looks like Spanish Golf Professional Miguel Angel Jiminez! w/o The Cigar! Jus’ sayin’
March 26th, 2011 at 12:30@ 31 🙂
March 26th, 2011 at 17:31do you realy think that person who admire and look into DP (band that never had any morbid satanic and tra la la about anarchy and whatever those bands sing about since I not listen them) members as a artist heroes or true goodwill spokemans have anything bad in his true being?
no! I don’t think so…
I was so touched buy this occurance and this info made the begining of my day awesome…
DP… You are allways feeding me with so good emotions.
… last 35 years, from first time I started to listen you…
March 27th, 2011 at 08:09Tongue firmly in the cheek, sarcasm, you name
it…obviously a lot of
people just don’t get a joke when politics are involved.
Good on you Purple, now when’s the next private/corporational gig 🙂
March 28th, 2011 at 13:59Ya gotta love Ian Gillan’s shirt. Now that’s political protocol. I Love It!
March 28th, 2011 at 18:33@ 39
Do you have more clever ones from that book of yours?
March 29th, 2011 at 10:41Nope, sorry Mark, the dog just ate the book so I’m all out
of words. Your turn now, take care.
March 29th, 2011 at 13:58Next stop – Libya and a spot of lunch with some ‘big wig’ called gaddafi……………..some colonel in the army I think
I understand Gillan has a rather fetching ‘flak jacket’ to wear for that gig. And Roger better wear some kevlar on that head!
March 29th, 2011 at 15:55@ 42
Sorry, I slipped.
I misread.
Thought it was rascal repeating his arrogance from another thread.
Never underestimate the other.
Too often I read statements that shows some kinda superiority in the authors attitude.
Yeah, I know, my posts could easily be mistaken the same way : )
March 29th, 2011 at 20:58Music. Isn’t is GREAT?
Nobody here has more undertoned annoyance than me about cavorting with the Kremlin. But, this instance isn’t Political. It’s Musical. They were invited for one reason only. The love of their music. They didn’t invite themselves. They weren’t schmoozing up to Dmitry. He schmoozed them. He’s an obvious fan, in a place where not too long ago, a Hard Rock Band wasn’t allowed to be heard. Though many freedoms aren’t still enjoyed, Music has broken through the barrier. The fact that he is willing to sit with our Heroes for a little gathering as a Star Sruck little fan is a beautiful thing for Them. No politics. Just enjoying who they are from a musical aspect. Now, if they were to suddenly become a Political band (you know, like the Dixie Chics) and begin to preach stuff in favor of the piece of S..t, then that would be a ‘Painted Horse of different Color’.
I doubt any of the members of Purple agree with Russia’s platform. It isn’t the issue here. Unlike when our great President Obama invites his musical guests and they show total admiration and support of His politics. That’s how they get invited to play for him. They are Supporters of His cause. Dmitry is just a fan of Their music and that is great as far as I’m concerned….
Cheers
March 29th, 2011 at 21:10Cheers
It becomes political, you can’t avoid that. I bet you wouldn’t say the same if it was Saddam Hussein, Ghadaffi or Usama Bin Laden who were DP fans.
March 29th, 2011 at 21:40Yes I would. I don’t care if Hitler himself came back from the dead and was a fan and asked them to perform and have Tea. As long as they don’t suck his swastika and show admiration for what he stands for….who cares? It’s about the fact that even a DickTater can have good musical taste….
Cheers
March 30th, 2011 at 00:33@44 quote ‘Too often I read statements that shows some kinda superiority in the authors attitude’
Or maybe you just have an inferiority complex that makes it look that way.
Me ‘arrogant’?………….no just ‘confident’………………try it sometime!
March 30th, 2011 at 07:58@ 45
Just because Dimitri is a fan?
Why would visiting Dimitri be more interesting than visiting fans at their homes who are often with them for more than 3 decades?
Are they afraid they will loose gigs in Russia if they offend him by saying no?
Or is political and agreeing what he ” does” ?
I m not sure if he is ok. Maybe he is.
Dont know.
But taking the time and all to be with him with so much ease?
March 30th, 2011 at 11:40Mark: one can hardly claim my post’s as ie. arrogant, ‘superior’ etc.
I was just fooling around/joking, entertaining myself so to speak because the topic just asked for it with ‘political leanings’ , that’s it, plain and simple, nothing more to it.
take care, cheers
March 30th, 2011 at 13:05PP,
I didn’t say ‘he is ok’. Just that his taste in music is. Visit fans at home??? Come on, surely you aren’t serious. They do have fans back stage though after shows. Been there Done that. I’m just stating here that as far as the Musical aspect I don’t see anything wrong with them stopping in due to an invite. He isn’t a DickTater as with the Muslim blokes whom are actually committing genocide on his people. Obviously more civilized than that….
Cheers
March 30th, 2011 at 20:19Oh and I do think it was typical yellowbelly British of the band to stick the American across the table from the DickTater though…..nice touch. They were quite glaring weren’t they?
Same ole spinelessness. Don’t worry….the long haired Cowboy from America has their back…..LOL
Cheers
March 30th, 2011 at 20:25Maybe they should have refrained from paying him a visit on official territory?
Going there and let it photograph is different from a private meeting, IMHO.
Sami, I adressed my mistake earlier on.
Maybe now you misread and missed it?
Cheers Bro.
Mark
March 31st, 2011 at 08:33Sometimes the moment is just that…A moment that in the end means nothing, but then again can be something worth it all.
Example: I ran into OJ Simpson back in 2005 at a Home Depot store while shopping for supplies for a looming Hurricane. He was doing the same. We basically almost ran into each other and I recognised him and put my hand out and said, “Hey OJ”. He stopped and smiled and reached out and shook my hand and we spent a minute or 2 with a little small talk about why we were there and the Hurricane coming and basically what Generator to buy and whatnot. I totally loath the man for his inexplicable actions that our lovely court system failed to succeed in properly addressing. He got off scot free and up until finally being caught breaking the law again a couple of years ago and now being incarcerated, walked free among us as a normal citizen. Pretty weird I must say here, knowing full well that I shook the same hand that also held the large butcher knife that slashed his ex-wife’s neck along with the Waiter that happened to be there also. That gruesome act, with that hand, and I at the moment took the time to stop, acknowledge him and shake his hand. Since then, I have come up with a thousand other things I wish I had done and said to him due to the way I truly feel about him, but I didn’t. I was in a moment of mental incapacitation that to this day truly pisses me off…..Might happen to the Purple boys too later on. Depends on what they feel and ‘Who they Are’…..A good thing today sometimes ain’t all that good down the road sometimes.
Cheers
March 31st, 2011 at 19:49Maybe Dimitri will do something about DP s rights overthere?
A lot of bootlegs, illegal copies, and so on from there.
He might be able to influence some parties so that they not get ripped too much?
April 1st, 2011 at 09:5445
OJ Simpson.
I suppose Tracy is right it can happen to all of us, although……..
Maybe not.
It happens to me when meeting family or old friends who I fell out upon after nasty experiences.
There s always a part in me that wants to love them still. : (
April 1st, 2011 at 09:56@52 I thought it showed respect sharing a table with a ‘Yank’! Id of made him wait outside!
April 1st, 2011 at 12:01@ 53 Yes Mark, my mistake, have a relaxing weekend, cheers
April 1st, 2011 at 14:40@ 53 There is a handful of regimes dP should not visit, like Iran, North Korea, Burma and historically South Africa. There are others too but Russia is not one of those, you just can’t turn history in a country as big as Russia in 10 years time.. I think developments in Russia is going in the right direction though, even if some have become obsenely rich at the cost of the weaker. Just like in another big federation we all know about..
April 2nd, 2011 at 10:34Is that Ritchie’s reel to reel by the window? (seemed odd to me)
April 2nd, 2011 at 11:53hi guys- does anyone have any video of the meeting with President Medvedev? cheers drew
April 18th, 2011 at 03:55Hi,
i´m a big DP Fan since more than 30 years, but now i´m no more a Deep Purple Fan. It´s not o.k. to drink tea with these politicans and system. They are not democratic and they are against freedom and free journalism. They are against anything what Rockmusic wanted in the 60s. How can Gillan write freedom lyrics and do that?
They are only buisnessman without characters.
Beethoven or Neil Young or Robert Plant would not have done this!
Gillan & Co. are no heroes any more for me!
May 9th, 2011 at 07:55Deep Purple ist eine Bierzelt-Faschingsband geworden, Auftritte von Blackmore im Fernsehgarten und von Jon Lord im folkloristischen Weihnachtsprogramm bestätigen dies. Wer tausende Male Smoke On The Water spielen muß in seinem Leben, hat einen trostloseren Job als eine Putzfrau. Mit Rock´n´Roll hat das nichts mehr zu tun…
August 24th, 2011 at 13:41