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Declining the invitation

Ian Gillan; photo © Jim Rakete; image courtesy of kayos ProductionsFrom thew latest installment of Dear Friends published on Caramba!, it sounds like Gillan will not be accepting the induction:

Dear Friends, Families and Fans,

Putting the past shenanigans to one side, the induction is not – in clear fact – for Deep Purple.

It is an arbitrary selection of past members, which excludes Steve Morse and Don Airey; both of whom have been with the living breathing DP for a very long time.

Obviously this is very silly, and so my response is quite simple: ‘Thank you very much’.

And….what a coincidence…This morning I got an invitation to a wedding from some dear old friends. Unfortunately my family was not invited and they said that I would be required to sit next to my ex (we divorced decades ago) at the wedding feast.

They were shocked when I called to thank them and decline the invitation.

Cheers,
Ian Gillan

On the same note, very thoughtful comments on HoF from a fellow inductee Steve Miller, who called the Hall “an exclusive private men’s club” with “an elitist nominating committee” and “cynical” voting process. Miller seems to know what he’s talking about as he himself sits on the board of Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. His interview in Milwakee Journal Sentinel is well worth a read.

Thanks to CP and nupsi59 for the heads up.



112 Comments to “Declining the invitation”:

  1. 1
    Zlatan Hadzic says:

    Oh, I knew that this guy will falsify DP’s history, he started with “smiles” issues and “self-victimization” when Ritchie left the group. He’s trying to mix what we all know, while trying to sing on old Ritchie’s riffs.

    STOP performing songs which were mainly, as witnessed by late Jon Lord, built around kernel of Ritchie’s riffs, and because of which DP became famous, and we’ll believe divorce story.

  2. 2
    kraatzy says:

    Thats genius … a have understand it first as I read it the second time … 🙂
    … very clear but also very fuzzy …

    Big Ian will not be there …

    LLRnR

    kraatzy

    PS.
    RnRHoF is bull….

  3. 3
    AndreA says:

    Great Gillan,a real great anarchic man. \m/_

  4. 4
    henrik says:

    Thevclassic years 1968-1976 are the celebratory ones.

    Steve Morse & Don Airey have not written any tune, whatsoever, worth any induction.

  5. 5
    stoffer says:

    Love It……………but we’ll see in April?!

  6. 6
    al says:

    It looks like drama will continue and I have a feeling that only Hughes,Coverdale and Paicey might be showing up at the Hall of Shame.i totally understand Gillanès feelings,but this is for us,the fans as well,cause we have been following and support the band for years,so I hope he changes his mind.

  7. 7
    Blackwood Richmore says:

    Such is life…

  8. 8
    George Martin says:

    You got to respect loyalty. It’s a dam shame the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is run by idiots.

  9. 9
    Matt D. says:

    I understand IG’s loyalty to the new guys but its this kind of drama that has alienated DP. Didn’t Jon Lord once say that his dream is to have all DP members on stage at the same time? Well IG and RB should do it for the fans but I doubt they will.

  10. 10
    Ade Smith says:

    I think the genuine fans would like to see all the invited members turn up and act like adults. Put any problems they may have behind them for that one occasion. Attend in the memory of Jon Lord. I’m sure its what he would have wanted.

  11. 11
    Boswell's Johnson says:

    He’s absolutely correct. This isn’t an induction of Purple, it’s an induction of little bits of the band. It’s a half-assed acknowledgement that’s almost more of an insult than anything else. The Hall is essentially doing the bare minimum to keep the public quiet, but not really admitting the band for what it is.

  12. 12
    Scoot says:

    I have said more than once that during the last legs of his tenure with DP, RB pissed in the faces of the people who paid his salary and allowed him to live the musicians dream. I still say that…refusing to play, hiding behind his amps until it was time for his solo, behaving unprofessionally towards his fellow musicians onstage, all true…now it’s Ians turn to flip the bird at the fans…the fans and fellow musicians who fought for DP to finally and rightfully be inducted into the R&RHOF. It finally happens, and Ian is going to go all Axl Rose and David Lee Roth/Eddie VanHalen and sulk and pout and whine and refuse to be a gentleman and come to the podium and make nice and thank the people who let him sing. The fans. What a tosser.

  13. 13
    Tommy H. says:

    Dear Ian, come down, that’s delusion. Be honest and give credit where credit is due, man! That’s not a matter of loyalty here. You can’t throw efforts into the very same pot which had the most different impact on people’s or rock ‘n’ roll’s history for Christ’s sake.

    The selection of musicians is anything else than arbitrary. It reflects the historcial relevance, their greatest impact on rock ‘n’ roll. That was undeniably back in the early days and is not meant to insult later members at all. Think about Speed King, the opener of Deep Purple In Rock for example. No one was doing something like this before. If I had to name the top three studio albums of Deep Purple’s history, it will be In Rock, Machine Head and Burn without a second thought. Isn’t Ian’s favorite album Fireball?! Of all their live albums Made In Japan easily stands heads and shoulders above the rest.

    Nosce te impsum.

  14. 14
    Manos says:

    Reading the marriage part you can tell his problem is Blackmore not Morse and Airey. He can’t stand the fact that much of the reputation of Purple is because of him.

  15. 15
    Michael says:

    Fair play! I hope they all decline to attend; Ritchie would anyway.

  16. 16
    Greg Furlong says:

    Well done, Big Ian,
    He is absolutely right on the money here!
    Steve Morse has played for 22 years with the band, Don Airey took over from perhaps the greatest Keyboard player of all time in Jon Lord!
    Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is above and beyond a “Fashionable Fluff of the Day” Entity, of not too much relevance!!
    Certainly not to this scribe In the land Downunder!
    So IMV,
    Induct Current Deep Purple, Plus Ritchie and Jon Lord and that’s about it!
    Period!!

  17. 17
    Ron says:

    @1 and @4 your comments are petty and ridiculous.

    @1, Gillan co-wrote all the big MKII hits and that’s not disputed by anyone, even Ritchie. When you hear the melody of the lyrics to hit songs like Highway Star and Smoke on the Water, that’s Gillan. The lyrics to songs like Highway, Lazy, Space Truckin, Child in Time and Knocking at Your Backdoor are brilliant and vital to the legend of those songs. His performance on Made in Japan, IMO, is the greatest hard rock/metal era performance ever. The tonal qualities of his voice particularly on Child, Highway, Space and Lazy are the best I’ve ever heard from any hard rock vocalist live. Ian Gillan has every right to play every Blackmore era tune as does Glover and Paice. You are way off. If there is a past member who should stop playing Blackmore riffs that guy is Glen Hughes.

    @4, totally absurd. The last album is a huge international hit except in the USA. But for Steve Morse, his virtuoso playing and his great attitude, Purple would be long gone. Morse has been a vital member of the band for over 20 years and plays the iconic songs with absolute style and respect. Same or Don. They should be in the Hall and more so than Hughes.

    Hughes was a cancer to this band while he was in. That can’t be disputed. He sang the old tunes horribly. He showed utter disrespect to the fans of the band. He was horrible and a big reason with Bolin, why MKIV went down in flames. Beyond that, what did he write? He claims he co-wrote Burn. Ok, that’s it for iconic songs. Mistreated, Sail Away, Stormbringer, Lady Double Dealer, Soldier of Fortune were all Blackmore – Coverdale written songs. The decent songs Hughes wrote like Getting Tighter, Ode to G, a couple of others don’t even sound anything like Deep Purple and but for the Purple name would never have been heard of or discussed since 1975. Purple is in the Hall because of MKII with great assist from EVANS, SIMPER, COVERDALE and MORSE.

    Last points, sure Hughes is a great singer and does a great job now as the “from Deep Purple” singer when he sings MKII tunes like Smoke and Highway with Kings of Chaos. I actually like Steve Stevens’ guitar tone and playing a lot ofn the Purple classics. But for Glenn, I think he belongs in the Hall. I really do. But so does Steve. Steve wrote better songs, improved the band, IS A BETTER MUSICIAN, and treats Purple’s legacy with respect. Did Glen? Hell No! Glen joined Purple when they were the biggest band in the world and three years later Plant and Bonham were at Purple shows laughing their ass off watching it implode.

  18. 18
    byron says:

    Paicey should go alone-he’s the only founder member still in the band.

  19. 19
    stoffer says:

    @4 honestly… neither did Coverdale, Hughes, Bolin, Evans or Simper, some good tunes written but not worthy of induction and the live albums were at times embarassing!

  20. 20
    Barfly says:

    Just recently checked out the Lynyrd Skynyrd induction from 2006 they also hade, have a lot of issues with past and present members. But they acted in a big manor. The one from the golden years when they hade an global impact on the music world with hits an albums got nominated, and the rest not. But they all jammed and performed together, past and present members. Come on give me a name of a world wide hit or an album success that Don and Steve penned and contributed on in the history of Purple and don’t say Now What. Because that album is really lame and will not go down as any important mark in the music history. Don’t get me wrong here Don and Steve have made there mark in the history of music with Rainbow and Kansas well worth to be in the hall of fame but not in Purple. So why don’t they just have a really good Jam. They can play a selection of songs from each mark.
    I’ve read before in some interview that Ritchie admire Steve’s guitar playing, now he got a chance to jam with the man why miss out. They can trade licks in the end of the concert extend some solo in some song.
    Why not just be proud of playing in a band that are inducted, I would its big in its own way.

  21. 21
    gareth says:

    To all the haters of Don and Steve…go make yourselves a time machine and go back to 1972/73.Deep Purple are as good a band now as they were then….

  22. 22
    HardRockPete says:

    I’m totally with Mr. Gillan on this one! All members, or no one! And Zlatan, post #1, get a grip. Blackmore didn’t come up with all the songs himself. Yes, he was the riffmeister, but did he come up with the lyrics, all chordprogressions, everything? No, he didn’t, and he certainly haven’t done much worthwhile since the last Rainbowrecord 20 years ago.

    The RRHOF is just a pathetic joke, and Purple deserves better than to be inducted by a bunch of elitist idiots!

    Kudos to Gillan for standing up for the band!

  23. 23
    scottbuster2000 says:

    Blackmore [A.K.A. Arbitrary Bango Man], Hughes, Coverdale, Paicey and Lords Family should show.
    They just need a keybord stand in for the Jam and it’s as close as you can get to a Mark III Reunion.
    If Blackers shows up, it becomes legit.

  24. 24
    Rajaseudun Rampe says:

    I very well understand IG’s feelings and totally agree with him. In Morse era DP has put out one of their best stuff. Steve and Don are part of the band, and actually with a bigger input than, e.g., Bolin, Coverdale and Hughes. I am very much with IG: why bother, it’s nothing that remarkable. It’s music that matters, and we fans are waiting for the new album, thank you!

  25. 25
    Danny N says:

    Not sure where IG actually says he is not going. I would have thought something along the lines of ‘no thank you very much’. Regardless I couldn’t give a toss about the rock and roll hall of shame. Happy to see that members of DP are speaking out. No chance of Blackmore showing up because he couldn’t care less about the organisation. At this rate looks like they may have to hire someone to come onstage and play guitar. If the hall of shame had any credibility, half the artists in there wouldn’t be there and they would have nominated DP when Jon Lord was alive. What a complete waste of time……….

  26. 26
    Peter says:

    Fully agree with Ian.

    1.) Deep Purple in 2015 are (in alphabethical order): Don Airey, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Steve Morse, Ian Paice. They are introducing just 3 of them => it´s not induction of Deep Purple into RRHOF.

    2.) Correct description would be “RRHOF is inducting selection of present and former members of Deep Purple”.

    3.) I have absolutely no issue with inducting Ritchie, David, Glenn… It´s absolutely fine to induct Mk2 and Mk3 lineups. What boggles my mind is induction of Mark 1 – and it´s still unclear whether it´s only Rod Evans inducted (remember Bogus Purple 1980) or both (Rod and Nick) are inducted, original press release on rockhall sites mentions only Rod. In my opinion – Rod is the LAST member of whole set of Deep Purple members who deserves such a honor. If I should make a full list of 14 members how much they deserve this induction it would look like this (in order of their credit):

    Paice, Gillan, Glover (actually just alphabet thing), Lord, Blackmore, Morse, Coverdale, Airey, Hughes (because his drug addiction brought the band do break-up point he is rated lower than DC), Bolin, Simper, JLT, Satriani, Evans.

    I´m not talking about couple of albums, I´m talking about importance for Deep Purple – who and what they are today and how they are seen today!

  27. 27
    Ted The Mechanic says:

    @4 henrik,

    Wake up and go back to sleep….

    Peace,
    Ted

  28. 28
    Zlatan Hadzic says:

    Well I agree with “fans”, fame is not because of what Mk1, 2 and 3 done, it’s because of smiles and hands waving.

    Ron, my friend, STOP pointing to that co-writing thing, it is ridiculous, kernel and base of something in music comes from one place in this case, and it is Blackmore’s playing – Jon Lord said it with all honesty, and I can see it clearly. DP was as epic with Coverdale/Hughes Burn as it was with Machine Head.

    But let me put it like this, if I’m allowed – Gillan is next to nothing without his participation in Mk2 and amazing voice he had at that time. After Mk2 Ritchie did Burn, but also a lot of memorable tunes with Rainbow, dare to say epic equally to those in DP. Clearly most of DP fame is because of him. Gillan in his post 70’s was inferior not to Ritchie only, but to David Coverdale as well who had truly powerful career. How come he’s suddenly out of ideas – that famous co-writer? Gillan is not even close to those two when tunes are in question. Today he is a bitter man, who speaks of divorce, but using same those songs that are created when Ritchie was at his prime time – because youngsters want to hear them (really, and I thought it is because of twindle-twindle tunes).

    As quite a big fan, I’m disgusted of him almost lying about nature of things, regardless of bad stuff that happened between them. Ritchie might go crazy, but it doesn’t strip him of his fundamental contribution to fame of DP. Shame on him regarding Morse and Airey as well, both of them did nothing except this “Gillan’s smiling, living, breathing, faking crap” – oh and SOTW….

  29. 29
    luc says:

    Hey Deep Purple Fans

    It’s obvious that Deep Purple is not only Mark I, II & III. On the other hand it’s clear that Mark II was the most spectacular one. However, Steve Morse & Don Airey are fully & respectable members of Deep Purple.

    I don’t like the negative reaction of Ian Gillan. Deep Purple is also Ritchie Blackmore & Jon Lord. And also Nick Simper, Rod Evans, Tommy Bolin, Glenn Hughes, David Coverdale , Joe Lynn Turner & Joe Satriani are great & respectfull members of Deep Purple.

    So, my proposal is to celebrate the Giant Deep Purple community on a positive way.

    Deep Purple is a “must” in the Hall Of Fame & we will do it with all the Deep Purple Members.
    Deep Purple is “unique” & Rocks…….till the end of times.

  30. 30
    terry says:

    I am with #4 Byron the only amicable solution is for Ian Paice to go and accept the award on behalf of the band and perhaps make a speech stating the importance of all members past and present , he can always jam with the other bands . I think all this could become very damaging to the band after the momentum from the last album and solid performances on the European tour. I think other old members tend to use the name Deep Purple when it suits for publicity .

  31. 31
    Louli says:

    Ian Gillan always compared the DP family tree to a wild jungle…the wounds are open and blood is flowing out. This is the best and the worst thing that could happen after years of healing…Rod Evans can always sing Hush with Richie on the guitar….Dear Jon must be looking down and very proud but he must be so happy not to be involved in this mess. Long live DP.

  32. 32
    Joe in VT says:

    Noble, for sure. What do Steve and Don say?
    My guess is… “Thanks, dude… but GO, already.”

    Happy Holidays!

    Hey, what happened tot he holiday banner at the of THS website?

  33. 33
    Dr. Bob says:

    There is a simple solution & a Gordian knot to the issues that Gillan brings up. The simple solution is to have Morse & Airey be the ones who give the speech that calls up the inductees, and then they play guitar & keys on stage. The Gordian knot is that Ian won’t show up if Ritchie shows up.

  34. 34
    Fernando Mattedi says:

    Well, Gillan is half right , half wrong.

    Evans being inducted and Simper not , is complete nonsense.
    Bolin, Turner and Satriani exclusions are quite understandable.
    And , in my humble oppinion, excluding Don Airey ans Morse are exactly same case as Turner or Satriani. The marriage comparison is cute and funny to read, but the situation here is different . Comparison fair woulde be: They are being invited to a College Graduation , and in this case, it should be attended by the parents (even divorced) and uncles , not the current wives and husbands .
    If Gillan is so convinced of his point, the Live and Breathing Deep Purple should be playing songs not older then 1996 – Purpendicular , and even that is a concession on Jon Lord’s work. Oppositioner to that , 70% of the recent set lists were songs written by Blackmore.
    Though they are all (very) grown men, Gillan and Blackmore keep acting like teenagers. They should raise over the differences, and take the honour , declining to perform together .

  35. 35
    kazz says:

    This is disgusting. This HoF thing has nothing to do with rock’nroll. Love the music you like. Whatever line up. Peace to y’all.

  36. 36
    Randy Fielding says:

    That’s good news!! Now a Mk 3 lineup might happen if Ritchie shows. Stay home Ian and let the big boys ROCK.
    Nice of you btw to stick up for Tommy Bolin too.

  37. 37
    Tracy(Zero the Hero)Heyder says:

    The induction is about the BAND. Not separate musicians. THE BAND. DEEP PURPLE. Which have been eligible and worthy of the nod since 25 years after their first album “Shades of Deep Purple” which got them their first US Hit in 1968. Eligible since 1993. The have been eligible for 22 years for Christ sake! That same band “Deep Purple” then went on to achieve some more hits and further killer albums and line-ups of players years later. The BAND, DEEP PURPLE has been a huge success and impact on many professional and semi-professional musicians throughout. DEEP PURPLE is still a band and since the BAND is what this induction is about, whoever was and is in DEEP PURPLE, living or DEAD should be recognized. Had the RRHOF done their true diligence and placed Purple in at a proper time, there wouldn’t be all of this controversy. RRHOF should bite the bullet and do the right thing. Make it simple. Deep Purple gets their place in line and whoever Deep Purple is and was is IN. The band is that good. Every MK is worthy (even JLT). If you look at many of those whom have been inducted prior to Purple…. (Madonna?), it is a no-brainer. The RRHOF fucked it up a long time ago by snubbing this incredible band for so long. Now they have fucked it up even further due to the way they finally did it. All they had to do was present the puzzle and induct the band Deep Purple. The pieces of the puzzle would have just fallen into place on it’s own. Whoever shows up, shows up and whoever doesn’t, doesn’t. No need for the selective, specified members. That was pure bullshit.

    I say, fill the hall with every Deep Purple swinging dick out there and ROCK THE HOUSE DOWN. It’s your night. OWN IT! And when the show is over, “shoot a flair gun and burn the place to the ground”……

    Ch-BeerZ

  38. 38
    Tonto says:

    Really the “debate” about the Hall of Fame is ridiculous. It is almost a rule of life that everyone can’t be pleased about everything all the time. IG should grow up and realise he is/was but one part of a band of at least 5 but extending to 14 at (someone’s) count recently? YES Mk 1 should be there as The Sound started from there “And the Address” still superb. They had the biggest single Hush. In comparison how memorable (I ask you fairly) are the last half-dozen or so albums? Undeniably Mk’s 2 3 and 4 should be there – but NOT Mk 2 v.2; or the later ones as really nothing has been added to the Heritage – just rehash – not saying it’s not played well but to be fair an Organist can’t get the honours over JS Bach for example if that is what he plays. However well it is done. If IG is a party pooper well so be it – but Blackmore Paice Hughes and DC should play something then for the long-supporting fans!

  39. 39
    Jolinjo says:

    Thought that this daywas never going to arrive. Yeah, “The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum have been stupid-for too damn long. But, Big Ian, please …I, being a lifelong Purple fan, have hoped for this since the original eligibility date
    I understand that the band being 4/5 British, Ian that you don’t think that it USA big deal..But, to your American fans, those of us, who thru EVERYTHING,
    Supported the band-It is a big deal ! The struggle of us loyal American fans is hopefully important to you. Obviously, the rest of the world gets it-better than us Yanks. But, Ian I am asking you, with the most respect and regard, to put aside all the shite, for one night. As a Purple fan I want’t proudly brag about the band’s induction. The other bands (Chicago and Cheap Trick) are encouraging fan support. We Purple fans…A little embarrassed right now. You have always have stated how much your fans mean to you-please give us this one night of “compromise” Am I asking that Ritchie and everyone hug and kiss..Hell no !
    But, if only for one song, please put things aside. The singers that preceded you I believe, would love to perform. So-I am asking you -do you actually want “Burn”performed without “SOTW” ..I want to hear it all ! Gents, Mr. Gillan, Glover,and Paice-please let it happen. I have to honest -as much as I still love the band, if you all can’t be grown ups, for the sake of fans…May make me question if it is all worth it ?!

  40. 40
    MacGregor says:

    Poor old Gillan is pissed off, predictable indeed was the induction & it was always going to go that way! It is the same for all other bands etc, why should it be different for DP or anyone else! This isn’t about being disrespectful to Airey & Morse at all & anyone who implies that, is, well they are totally out of touch with the reality of the situation! Many bands only have the original & very successful 60’s & 70’s lineups inducted, it is the way of the Hall, for what it is worth! Certain fans will get emotional about it & there is always a bias towards a certain lineup & albums etc!
    gareth @21- no one is ‘hating’ anyone, why use that word? It is all opinions, nothing here is along those lines at all! It is reality & ‘fans’ have the right to comment on what they prefer or like or dislike etc! There is no HATE?
    There are some good comments here in regards to the DP legacy & what constitutes an induction at the ‘mighty’ Hall! But the powers that be, for what they are worth, have their criteria & it is set in stone for all to see! The ‘fans’ saying that MK1 shouldn’t be there, get a life! What, just go straight to the 2nd era of a band & forget the first original lineup? Madness indeed! As we all know, without MK1, there would have been nothing after, simple really isn’t it?
    When & if Yes get the nod, the same raves are already out there & have been for a year or three, who will get in etc? I can tell it will be original & early 70’s classic lineups + Trevor Rabin, no other post 70’s members will get in, that is the way of the Hall!
    My only slight worry for this ‘induction’ (that word makes me feel uneasy for some strange reason), is that Glenn (me, myself & I) Hughes, will be the spokesperson for the band! A bit of a worry if that happens! Hopefully Paice & Glover will be there, to settle things a little! Keep Hughes away from the microphone! Cheers.

  41. 41
    stargazer Lee says:

    Hi I would like to congratulate Ian but don’t let the fans down, I think the fans have been fighting and arguing online for a fair few years now. I voted DP twice and nothing. I woke up last week and found to my utter surprise, the best news. I knew they were gonna get in when, that rock guy got onto the panel.
    Yes I agree with all the criticisms, but the creators of the Purple sound is from the 70s lineups. Just to get in is such a wonderful achievement in itself. Yes I think they still suck (HOF), because this should have happened along time ago. When Jon Lord was alive, Ian I hope you reconsider.
    By going you right the wrongs by talking in depth about Steve and Don. I’m sure Glenn Hughes may or will mention, glaring omition of Tommy Bolin and maybe Joe Lynn Turner as he has recorded with him.
    You Ian could mention Joe Satriani who saved DP 21 years ago, there we don’t have to read between the lines. I always felt you could have sung Burn or Mistreated also. Please shake David’s hand.

  42. 42
    Flying Wolf says:

    So many dumb Americans opened their filthy mouths here. Everyone always owes you somehting. Ian Gillan has said and done what has to be said and done. No flipped birds or released gases. RROF is totally usaish thing. Stinks over the ocean

  43. 43
    Seven-47 says:

    Why Evans and not Simper?

  44. 44
    Starclub says:

    If Ritchie doesn’t attend and Morse isn’t invited, who would play guitar at the ceremony? They’d have to pull someone out of the audience! 🙂

    For what it’s worth, I think the Hall of Fame got it right, except that inducting Evans not Simper is strange. Hope they’ve forgiven Rod for this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYuLwQMB7h4

  45. 45
    DeepOz says:

    Paice, Hughes, and Satrini play as a trio, two songs from Mark 1, 2 and 3.

  46. 46
    Ron says:

    @42, Flying Wolf, people can have an opinions without drawing your insults. By your comment you clearly have a self esteem problems among other disturbing issues. The inability to debate without launching insults is at best bad manners.

    BTW, where are you from?

  47. 47
    Steve Hawker says:

    For all those who are saying “it’s for the fans” please dont think you speak for this fan because the HoF is utterly irrelevant and my love of this band is not predicated on their involvement.

    I don’t need to see them playing with Hughes or Coverdale or that bloke who stepped in that one time or anyone else. I’d like to see Airey/Gillan/Glover/Morse/Paice but I’m not subscribing to HBO just for that.

    For those who are struggling with Morse and Airey’s contributions, I feel sorry for you. Try listening to any of the Morse era albums without wishing it was 1973 again and that RB was in the band.

    Finally, Gillan is 100% right in everything he says and I’ll illustrate it with examples. Robert Trujillo was inducted as part of Metallica at a time when he’d been in the band 5 years and played on ONE album. When the Red Hot Chili Peppers were inducted. Josh Klinghoffer had been in the band just 2 years and played on one album. Morse has 21 years in, a bunch of albums and you have to accept that without Morse, Purple would have called it a day in the 90s.

    Don’t go, don’t accept is the right approach and if the HoF cant respect one of the greatest rock bands of all time, who needs ’em??

    BTW, the band should make it clear that Glenn Hughes is NOT an authorised spokesman.

  48. 48
    Jason says:

    While fully respecting Big Ian’s position on this matter, I am also still giddy at the possible combinations of musicians who may get up there to play (some combination of Hush, SOTW, and maybe Burn…to give a nod to the 3 lineups the Hall does seem to respect). Here’s my prediction:

    Vocals: Coverdale/Hughes
    (you know they’ll both go…have either of them ever sung Hush? will Rod Evans just materialize out of thin air to handle this one? LOL)

    Guitar: Blackmore
    (no Big Ian AND some rock shows to promote? He can even take the train from home 🙂 )

    Bass: Hughes
    (though it would be interesting if Glover opts to go…no comment from him yet)

    Drums:
    Paice (hasn’t confirmed he’d go and play, but seems amenable)

    Keyboards:
    Paul Shaffer (could be any rock keyboardist who shows up, really…but he’s always there…and obviously, more than capable)

    The big question marks would be little Ian and Roger. Depending on how the rest of the band votes, they’d honor that. However, I would be surprised if Steve or Don raised a fuss (that’s just based on my impression from reading interviews by them…seem pretty laid back…could be wrong).

    Still, THIS is only the thing that’s kept me at all interested in the question of whether DP would ever be inducted into the Hall…since we’ll likely never get that dream “reunion show” we’ve all wanted.

  49. 49
    Michael says:

    Yes WHY is not Nick Simper included? That’s insane and a big insult to him!

  50. 50
    Danny N says:

    @ Flying Wolf. Couldn’t disagree with you more. Not cool to make disparaging remarks about a whole country based on comments from a few people there you disagree with. I find your comment very offensive and I am from Canada (albeit with US ancestry). I agree the RRHOF sucks but don’t blame a country for an institution that stinks.

  51. 51
    RB says:

    I understand everyone’s point of view (and Ian’s), but there is no need for people to trade insults. Though I would love to see all the chaps on stage, smiling at getting this recognition, I feel it is too little too late. The Hall Of Fame committee should be ashamed of themselves for ignoring the band for such a long time and this award has something of a hollow ring to it without dear Jon. I imagine Glenn will go as he’s comfortable with the attention and perhaps David will attend as they’re close friends, but I’m not sure who else will turn up. The committee clearly have little respect for the band, branding Purple as “one hit wonders” and haven’t even bothered to research the history of the band and have ignored poor Nick Simper. Surely Tommy could have been inducted posthumously, with a member of his family present to accept on his behalf. It just smacks of a corporate organisation that has only inducted the band because so many people have complained and is therefore begrudgingly letting then in. We all know how great Deep Purple are, we don’t need these duplicitous arseholes suddenly deciding to validate that fact. So I’m with Gillan on this one, stuff ’em!

  52. 52
    al says:

    @43 I cannot believe that you are in this forum and bad mouthing Americans ad their dumb mouth.Yo are one of those people that throws every one in the same pot and the disturbing part is that you are a hater and a troll,nothing else.so many Americans in here have their own opinions and different from each other
    If there is only one dumb person in here and that is you.You should be ashamed of yourself.I am an American Citizen and proud to be one!Diverse cultures and melting pot,not everything is perfect but you re logic is that of cave man!

  53. 53
    Rick Carlson says:

    The Hall of Fame is a joke. I would like to see no members from Deep Purple,Chicago,or Cheap Trick show up. Decades too late for all three. And this comes from what #42 refers to as a dumb American!

  54. 54
    Tommy H. says:

    @ 37, Tracy:

    In my opinion the induction into a hall of fame respects the greatest impact of, in this case, a group of certain individuals that helped to create something which didn’t exist before. To be more concrete: Whoever thinks that he can throw efforts like Deep Purple In Rock, Machine Head, Burn or Made In Japan into the very same pot with any record after that period in time is a hypocrite. You can appreciate whatever you will – it is still a fact that Purple’s pioneering time was back in the early days. I’m pretty sure that this is the reason why only musicians who were part of the band at that time deserve to be inducted.

  55. 55
    Kim Peters says:

    @40:

    IMO, the reality of the situation, is that DEEP PURPLE are NO ordinary rock band…and I understand
    what you’re saying, but DP have been releasing quality music and performing at a high level
    in a time (ie: the autumn years) where 99% of bands have dried up….inc. HoF bands.

    Bravo big Ian.

  56. 56
    Joey says:

    @42 Before you accuse all Americans of being dumb, you may want to check your spelling and grammar

  57. 57
    LRT says:

    Yada major yada yafda, sheesh. Read this: You should not be equating that Ian means they will decline this. It’s their award they will deal with it. This is a knee jerk reaction, watch it change, and never rely on an interview for the gospel from Ian. Really, by now?!

  58. 58
    LRT says:

    Statements, interviews, they’re all the same with him, grains of salt, multi grains of salt!

  59. 59
    LRT says:

    Flying Wolf: Go fly a kite!

  60. 60
    LRT says:

    MacGregor, your logic is still whacked. So, we have an induction and a ceremony to attend, let’s bring Evans out of hiding and “groom” him for this, let’s start by finding him and teaching him how to sing again, and prepare him to be seen by thousands live and potentially millions on TV? He’ll not be frightened by any of that, he’s relevant! 😀 Do I continue with the washed up Hughes trying to make it his event, Blackmore who doesn’t even have a musical bone in common with him and never did, gonna get him to rehearse even a lick with these Purple one-timers with only two and a half years spent in the band, regardless of making one good fairly charting album? GNR status right there for ya. I see, this is all going to somehow work in your mind because you don’t like Steve Morse. Get your head out of your ass for once, yes it’s okay to fantasize and dream, but it’s all you’re doing. In your dreams this will be a 1975 ceremony, or even a 1972 one. It’s 2015 and will be 2016, take a good look around. Any band that’s getting inducted into that thing when their latest record topped four national Billboards(first time in DP history!) should be taken good care of as the ENTITY they are. Morse has played to an average of two million people a year with them, Hughes never even played to 2 million with them. I’d say 21 years of that accounts for a lot more than spending two and a half years in a band, months of that time spent in rehab!!!! I don’t care what years are involved, they’re gone and the band rages on. You want me to keep comparing because you do?! No other singer in the history of the band lasted more than two and a half years as well. Want to put JLT in over Gillan or something? I mean really?! Poor ole Gillan, he doesn’t have over 30 years spent in DP compared to their two and a half each, this includes them all from Evans to Turner. Shall I keep pouring into the pitcher here? You’re not going to tell me that Hughes belongs in the Hall of Fame before Morse and Airey, but hey, you can induct him into the crack smokers Hall Of Fame where his big seat truly awaits, thanks to his own publicity stunts over liking to be a dry crackhead. That’s what he is or he’d stop yammering about it to the tune of people’s money to read about it. Yeah, he makes this accolade mighty special. 😉 70s called, they want to pump sense into people and let them know 1975 was the worst year in music history.

  61. 61
    LRT says:

    Now it’s about “bragging” about their induction?! Well, a moment I am not proud to be American, but yet another typical discovery about us. Not glad I read that!

  62. 62
    LRT says:

    @Tonto: Are you in the band and know what and how they feel? A band finds its own feet through their music, they don’t consider having arrived until then, no matter who’s in the picture. MkI did not gel, they did not force it to, instead they went out and found their “feet.” And those feet are the strongest feet entered into DP to this day, or Hughes and whoever else would be doing it instead, wouldn’t they? Or are they not simply because this mercenary Gillan and CO have the name and won’t give it up? I think Hughes should just retire to the fact that he did nothing in the way of forging anything that permanently resonates as the DP sound, and mkI certainly didn’t have a clear direction, they squeezed a few originals in between abysmal covers, and did so on all three recordings in a matter of a few days time to record them(talk to Nick Simper, he will tell you they had no time to do what mkII instantly were able to do with the sheer talent and time frames combined). It wasn’t until they transformed that they even had time to be original artists(argue all you want with facts). That time was taken and look at the gigantic difference in the sound, direction and everything. All it took were the right guys and some time put into it, rather than quick deadlines to record some originals and re-work someone else’s hits, trying to be like Vanilla Fudge till they actually became DP. You can pretend it’s 1969 all you want, but in the progress of it all is where they’ve always dwelled, I don’t care what the next fan thinks, they should think about it like the band does instead of calling shots from the sidelines, otherwise they’re in the clouds about it all. That’s not dedication, it’s just polarized opinion.

  63. 63
    LRT says:

    Barfly: I will repeat myself, gladly. Now What topped four Billboards, not once has DP done that in the history of the band. Granted nobody went platinum the last two years, and if you worked in the biz you’d know that much at the very least, however it is still doing the biz better than most, in-fact better than all if you have the decency to actually follow, rather than call something excellent nothing but lame. I can safely say that this goes beyond opinion into the morbid state of bias, bias that is so moronic it won’t stand to even listen to what nobody’s out there even coming close to in this day and age. You can’t debunk this. They’ve never had it down like they do now, just wait till mid-2016, because it appears it takes two here, but you’ll be eating those words a second time, and they will go out on top. You’re only as good as your last record, and if you think NW is lame, well I consider the source indeed you sound like you are. 😀

  64. 64
    LRT says:

    @4: Okay so now it’s about participating in writing one song in a day and age where that’s obviously not working for grown men in their 60s. Are you serious with that? They need a hit single or something when their latest album topped four Billboards, in order for their current elder statesmen to be inducted with them, players with masters degrees and each likely compete with the amount of output in their careers as the other current three members? I’ll say that a million times if I have to, it doesn’t mean a quality product in every case, but in Purple’s case they’ve never come out any better, so they earned this. As for who’s being inducted, well that’s never been easy for the Hall with many groups, but if Purple’s singer of over 30 years cannot speak for them, something is really wrong with people. Might want to start by living in the now instead of the deep past which has been surpassed by survival, let alone what the band labor in that you haven’t a clue how even works.

  65. 65
    LRT says:

    Gillan not even close to Coverdale with tunes? Please read my repeated comments about the two and a half years, then get out your physics books. I’m out…………. 😀 This is officially ridiculous!

  66. 66
    stoffer says:

    hmmmm……I had no idea I was a dumb American.. how will I sleep tonite?!

  67. 67
    pascal says:

    Mark 1, II & III should ALL be there (including Nickie!): They made the breaktrough and History…I have big respect for everyone involved after, but I didn’t bought any DP record after Perpundicular, but attended lot of their gigs here in France, waiting for the good all things of the 70’s.
    Think it will end up with Hughes and Paice.

    The best compromise is, as already pointed out here, that Ian Paice goes alone and gets the Award. He was there from Day One (God, i was 7 years old then) and made it all/seen it all.

    The beautifull surprise will be that everyone shows up, invited or not.

  68. 68
    metaljim says:

    People seem to keep missing the point that the induction is NOT about the current band. Read the induction bio. Like Black Sabbath before them, the Hall of Fame focuses on the classic 70’s era and summarizes the band’s post-70’s legacy with as few words as possible. When Sabbath was inducted, I don’t think any line-up other than the original was included. It would appear that the Hall is stretching the criteria to include Evans, Coverdale and Hughes. In reality, this award belongs to MkII as that’s who reinvented the band in the late 60’s/early 70’s and made them superstars. Coverdale and Hughes rode the MkII wave of popularity, and weren’t around long enough to actually earn their fame with Purple. Coverdale has more than earned his legendary status now, but that was earned with Whitesnake, not Purple. I don’t care one way or another whether the band appear at the induction ceremony, but for god’s sake, DON’T let Glenn Hughes be the only former member to appear and speak for the band. Three years with a band now in it’s sixth decade hardly qualifies him to be their spokesperson.

  69. 69
    Tracy(Zero the Hero)Heyder says:

    Tommy H @54:

    Regarding your last sentences in your entry….

    “You can appreciate whatever you will – it is still a fact that Purple’s pioneering time was back in the early days. I’m pretty sure that this is the reason why only musicians who were part of the band at that time deserve to be inducted.”

    There are many, heck most of the bands or artists that have been inducted into the RRHOF were not pioneers nor innovators or even influential. Just the fact that they were great, well known performers over 25 years in existence and then voted on and recognized by the RRHOF induction committee. That simple. Just look at the other bands here on the same ticket with Purple…. My point made right there.

    The BAND DEEP PURPLE is who is being inducted. They can induct individual members separately if they choose. They have done that for other artists. OZZY got the nod twice. One for his solo work and also with Sabbath. Others have also. Right now it is about the BAND.

    Ch-BeerZ

  70. 70
    Coronarias says:

    What about Randy California?

    A lovely man, and a great guitar player, who contributed to the band at their peak

    Taken from us too early, I feel privileged to have seen him play.

  71. 71
    MacGregor says:

    LRT@60 & everywhere else it seems – such passion, dedication & loyalty, i am impressed, seriously I AM! It must be the seasons greetings & a merry yuletide kicking in!
    First of all, what is it with the Evans & Hughes rave?????? Even the JLT rave????????
    Contact the Hall for your displeasure, I don’t make the rules, but they are there for all to see! Mk1, Mk2 & Mk3, don’t try to single out the weak links & blow that way out of proportion! You put me down as a Hughes guy, gravely mistaken indeed! Evans doesn’t have to turn up, no one does actually! But hopefully as I have said previously, Glover & Paice will keep it on a level of common sense! As I also said previously, don’t let Hughes near the microphone!
    Don’t mention the bullshit ‘I don’t like Steve Morse’ crap! Have been a ‘fan’ since the early 80’s & own all of his ‘solo’ SMB albums until the early 90’s & of course have all The Dregs, Dixie Dregs etc! Purchased ‘Purpendicular’ as soon as it was released, have always enjoyed it! Own ‘Now What’ & enjoy that in places also! Don’t mention the other three though! But you know best! You keep waffling on about billboards etc, & crowd attendances???? That has nothing to do with the Hall inducting Purple though & you know it! Are things becoming a little clearer now for you? Some ‘fans’ get their knickers in a twist, so what, emotion & bias, again! Your judgement is, well, cloudy to put it mildly! Had a few tipples too many perhaps, not to worry as I said, it is that time of year! Cheers.

  72. 72
    MacGregor says:

    I would just like to extend seasons greetings to all & sundry. The moderators here especially. they need some time off, especially with all this banter going down! Cheers.

  73. 73
    João Fernandes says:

    I feel that a lot of people are missing the main issue here … the Rock’n’roll hall of fame is a joke and i’m surprised by the amount of attention that gets ! It has RUN DMC, Madonna, Public Enemy, etc … It’s inducting NWA along with Deep Purple, really ? People are addressing the RRHOF as if they were some sort authority or something worth paying attention to, it’s a joke and i hope bands such as Purple or Iron Maiden (if they ever get nominated) tell them to piss off !!

    Also someone mentioned the inferior output of Ian Gillan in his post-Deep Purple career, i agree that it was the least successful but ifor me the Gillan albums (Not that Ian Gillan Band jazz thing) were by far the best music made by a former Deep Purple member !

  74. 74
    Tommy H. says:

    @ LRT:

    A significant contribution is not something for which you necessarily need decades of time. Just one comparison: “Shades Of Deep Purple” was recorded in 18 hours. The group had only come together for a couple of weeks before going into the studio. It took the current line-up 8 years to record the follow-up to “Rapture Of The Deep”.

    I’d say back in the early days things happened pretty quickly.

    We are lucky that so much great music was delivered to us both live and from the studio over the years. I greatly appreciate that because I think that almost everything really had it’s merits. But if I had to name Purple’s “storm and stress period” where their most important contributions to rock ‘n’ roll history happened and the cernel of their reputation was built up, it most certainly are the early days. Everything they did ever since has been compared to these early efforts (which is unfair but that’s where they set the bar themselves).

  75. 75
    dirty dog says:

    Thank you dear Ian Gillan! I follow Deep Purple since 1972 and every word from Ian is okay. Without Steve and Don there should go no one or only Ian Paice.

  76. 76
    Ted The Mechanic says:

    Ron @46, Danny N@50, al@52, Joey@56, and LRT @ all of your posts. Well said/pointed out on all. :>

    Flying Wolf@42, Wake up and go back to sleep….

    Peace,
    Ted

  77. 77
    henrik says:

    It takes a cold day in hell for the present line-up of Deep Purple to be inducted in the hall of fame.

  78. 78
    Rockman says:

    Hi to all Happy Holidays! 1st time posting, I have been a fan of purple since the the 70’s It pains me greatly to see us Purple fans sniping at one another instead of the so called Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, (oh and “American, hmmm”) They did not and in my opinion do not want to induct Purple so I am not surpised they did not include the current long time members as they only do that sort of thing for bands they actually like. Knowing this as we do why should we argue with what / how any of the current & former members feel about Deep Purple being inducted. I will repesct each one who shows up and each one who does not equally and enjoy the music from all eras.

    PS I have to admit I was bummed to hear that Morse & Airey were not included as I had the same thrill of a moment opon hearing purpendicular as I did as a kid hearing Fireball and my favorites list is a mix of all eras, but I will bore you with that at some later date. ok I can’t resist I really like Abandon as well, haha

  79. 79
    Lummy says:

    Frankly, Deep Purple is a Brand and it is still a continuing entity till now. It is not about individuals though without a doubt they contributed and played their parts over the years. Let’s also not forget about its Management that had put up and through with it all these years.
    So, if it is the Brand that is being recognized, on induction day the Management and current band members of the day should do the honours. Of course, founding and past members (living) should also be invited with due respect and recognition provided….whilst members that had passed on should also be duly mentioned and fondly remembered.
    In this respect, it should be able to resolve the issues much generated (albeit it unnecessary) from both ends of the divide (HOF and DP)

  80. 80
    DeeperPurps says:

    Kind of sad really that we all sit here sniping at each other over something such as this. The fact that DP are going to be inducted into the Hall leaves me cold and indifferent. It is far too late, Jon Lord will not be there, deserving members are not included, and others are bent out of shape about how it has all gone down. The Hall’s ham-handed approach to the nomination and induction is a disgrace. What should be a joyous celebration is turning to crap.

  81. 81
    Jeogger Matthews says:

    Ok Mr. Ian Gillan,

    Stick to your opinion and just don’t play Mark I and Mark II songs anymore, right…?!

  82. 82
    stoffer says:

    @68 metaljim……………nicely said agree 100%……….plz don’t let GH be the spokesman for the our favorite band!!!

  83. 83
    Scott W. says:

    @ 66 Yes, we are dumb americans for alowing the likes of Flying Fux into our country so we can support them living off of us. We work hard for a living so his ‘kind’ can come over here and sit at home for free while we pay for it. Wow, FF was right, we are dumb…

  84. 84
    Tommy H. says:

    @ 81, Jeogger:

    You’re right, that would be nails with heads.

  85. 85
    Peter says:

    81:
    Mark 2 songs are Gillan´s, Glover´s and Paicey´s too, arent they? 😉

  86. 86
    henrik says:

    Pinned down, Blackmore, Lord & Paice are the omly ones who should be inducted.

  87. 87
    Peed Rupple says:

    The Hall of Fame needs Deep Purple more than Deep Purple needs the Hall of Fame. The band should tell the Hall of Fame to stick their induction where the sun doesn’t shine.

  88. 88
    LRT says:

    I agree with 68, a fair man always, right or wrong, disagreed or agreed. It is what it is.

    However, what I can say is that Nick is not recognized by the Hall because he is not in the HEC bio as a collector of royalties and neither was Rod until 2015 from 1980. He’s likely in their bio, which the members to select were lifted for induction in the only way the Hall does concerning groups with all of these line-up changes. Let’s also remember that Thames and HEC are separate entities as well because one left off in 1976 and the other picked up in 1984 concerning DP. The latter is not recognized by the Hall but it doesn’t mean the band can’t have Morse and Airey play with them. ‘The band will decide who plays.” Ian Paice, 12/15/15

    Here’s your Rod Evans proof, it’s already listed at Wiki that he’s back in royalties. And, I must also add that I know where Rod is and have much evidence to substantiate it. However, be careful what you wish concerning his life. For one, the Hall could’ve been working with DPO on all of this since they started making the ballot, and I call bullshit on that if so, as their means to get Glenn on that stage, as I ultimately sense as he starts to go off about all of his importance in this. You can strike that one comment as opinion, but the rest is a fact, and I know where Rod is thanks to some great help and no doing of my own besides the subsequent activity after being shown concrete evidence. In fact it involves his whole family and that is where this ends, in the not needing to know things about people you wind up finding out about in the process of snooping around. (Jon Lord’s recently sold passport on eBay, anyone?) Not good stuff, you will probably find soon enough, simply because inducting him and him getting his royalties back means more than we might know, but I can safely say he’s either been groomed for this for some time, or will not surface over it. Just remember to pay someone royalties you first need an address to send any checks to. I’m going with the latter. But people will find out where he’s been, that much I have a feeling. Knock this down to whatever size you want, but I do know where he’s been since 1972, all of it and much more, and it’s not in one spot either. Enjoy what you just read, he’s alive, but is he well????

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Evans
    (Evans was sued by the management of the real Deep Purple and they were awarded damages of US$672,000. As a result of the lawsuit, Evans no longer received royalties from the band’s first three albums for many years. He is reportedly now (2015) in receipt of them again)

  89. 89
    LRT says:

    @71, shutting up would impress me. That’s about it.

  90. 90
    LRT says:

    @74, no it didn’t. It took the band weeks to record Rapture. It sold well for 6 years. I’m a distributor so I can tell you that is what kept them on the road, and that only. Take two years out of this for lead and end times. 😀

  91. 91
    john says:

    for those morons about Satriani …we must clearly explain about this:
    Joe Stariani was not a permanent member of DP was just SOS replacement only like Randy California did in 73 canadian tour.
    he never recorded with the band and he was not an official member of the band.

  92. 92
    john says:

    Gillan prefers Morse as his new wife to be in (just a logical analogue) and avoids to reunite with his old wife (Blackmore), which he hates. The other members like Coverdale, Paice, Glover, Hughes Lord (RIP) got very well with each other. This band should end their enigma, because the ultimate front man and the co founder guitarist are the egomaniac !
    The fans are tired with their tension that never ends.

  93. 93
    Tommy H. says:

    @90, LRT:

    Sorry, but you didn’t read carefully. The follow-up record to Rapture of the Deep obviously is Now What?!. And I wasn’t talking about the time they spend preparing and in the studio. It’s the time that went by between those two records. While we’re at it: 8 years is exactly how long Deep Purple existed during their “first run” (1968-1976). Just considering their studio efforts, they released 9 albums (of course with 4 line-ups, Mark II alone recorded 4).

  94. 94
    Brian Jackson says:

    Some thoughts
    HOF has been divisive ever since Purple were eligible and ignored, and has continued to be divisive with this nomination. I’m happy with whatever decision each (living) individual ex and current band member makes. I for one will be glad after the ceremony is over and Yes takes over the mantle of ‘most eligible band still ignored by HOF’.
    Airey and Morse seem to have been graciously quiet throughout. Let’s respect that and remember that there have only been two keyboard players and one drummer ever in Purple. I think the earlier suggestion that any old keyboard player could turn up to make up the numbers at a HOF performance (@48) is disrespectful to Jon’s memory and contribution.
    Hughes needs the publicity more than Blackmore or Gillan.
    My reading of Gillan’s statement is that he is dissatisfied with the non inclusion of long serving current members. Ignoring the obvious oblique reference to having to sit next to Blackmore, I would suggest that there’s no implied criticism of those nominated, only the pointless omissions past and present.
    Ignoring Simper is poor. If it is based on royalties division @88) then it shows to me how much more HOF is interested in money rather than music.

  95. 95
    MacGregor says:

    @89- that isn’t going to happen, well obviously it will one day, as it will for you also. Oh what a feeling! Cheers.

  96. 96
    DeeperPurps says:

    With all the controversy and acrimony here , I was wondering where our friend Purple Priest was / is !?!?!?!? I haven’t seen him / you for a long time here. I know you/he was passionate about all things RRHOF….please chime in friend!

  97. 97
    DebS says:

    On December 29 someone with the nick “Richfife” edited Rod Evans’ Wikipedia page and removed the line that said “He is reportedly now (2015) in receipt of them again.” The line was there for months and then suddenly removed.

    For what it’s worth, I saw this comment from Richard Reyes beneath a Captain Beyond video at YouTube:
    “I worked at St Vincent’s Med Center in Los Angeles in the mid-80s turns out Rod Evans worked as a respiratory tech there. So I got to meet him and and kick it with him in his breakroom. I asked him about D.P & C.B. and he got tired of the road & took up golf ha ha. He wore 3 piece corduroy suits with his curly locks he was super cool. He also autographed my C.B. album.”

  98. 98
    Wolfgang says:

    Purple should completely refuse any kind of induction and sue RRHOF responsibles if violating their will

    An induction into a true Hall of Fame should have taken place decades ago should have addessed DEEP PURPLE band as a whole and of course included all band members (also Simper, Bolin, Turner, Morse Airey and even Satriani)

  99. 99
    Witchy Nightmare says:

    Wolfgang: If they had been inducted decades ago, it would have been difficult to induct Don Airey. 😉

  100. 100
    Scoot says:

    I’m loving the comments regarding Ian’s comments. It shows a very wide range of philosophies regarding the R&RHOF. The funny thing is, all the commentators are correct. In the end, it will be up to the various band members as to what will really happen. I am going out on a limb here and will assume that Glenn will be there. I hope others show up, if only to thank the fans for their continued and never wavering support.

  101. 101
    Wolfgang says:

    Witchy Nightmare, you are right of course if you take “decades” in a precise way- it was meant as metaphor for a long period of time. Dont know when RRHOF actually started operation, but Don Airey is now 15 years in the band, so he could be part of the club if it’d taken place in 2005 or so. (If a band is adressed then it should be the whole band
    )

  102. 102
    Rock Voorne says:

    @ DeeperPurps

    I fiddled around in recent years with my nickname.

    I dont remember if I did mention change of nick way back.
    Usually I do.

    Thanx anyway.

    I m not so often on THS anymore.

    Do keep reading it although often I let threads pile up before I dive into them, unlike years ago.

    As I said before. with Lordy this whole thing saddens me.

    I can understand different viewpoints on who should be involved and perhaps it is has a postive spin off in several ways if they dont decline but I m not in favour of it at all.

    The rest remains subject to endless debate .

    Personally I favour BURN over anything the Morse era produced but hey if its your hang up that they are on par with earlier efforts, be my guest! 🙂

    If it goes through I hope for Nicky Simper to get in as well.
    Ridiculous if he does not.

    And yes, Shades of DP and DP’s 3rd album for me are wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy above the Morse era.

    I think the line ups 68-75 did have a lasting impact on rockmusic while the line ups since 1993 did not.
    Even though I like Purpendicular and certain tracks on other Morse albums.

    Maybe they are able not embarrass us by showing up and being as old and pathetic as some are now. Or as silly as they always where 😛

    But I truly feel that in 1993 when it MK 2 was back again that was/should have been the time to induct.

    One could suggest that Blackers would not have shown up way back 🙂

    Anyway, this whole RRHOF remains a sad and insulting joke to anyone serious about rockmusic.

    Ofcourse I ll take notice if they do succumb to the seduction of it all.

    Like I followed everything since 1993.

    Did stop attending shows in 2006.

    Have fun!

    Purple Priest 1965 aka know now as Rock Voorne.

  103. 103
    Rock Voorne says:

    Ron and other dismissers of Mister Glenn Hughes

    Although I am aware that he can be annoying now and then dismissing him like some like to do is nonsense.

    Btw, the credits for BURN were re arranged when the remaster/remix of the album out around 2005.
    Although not on all tracks it appeared he wrote on more stuff than most of thought.

  104. 104
    Tracy(Zero the Hero)Heyder says:

    Hey DeeperPurps,
    you beat me to the mouse. I was just about to ask the same question…..

    Welcome back PP1965. Hope all is well with you.

    Ch-BeerZ

  105. 105
    DeeperPurps says:

    Hey Rock Voorne @ 102 & 103,

    Great to have you back here with us. And thanks for your perspectives, many of which I firmly agree with.

    I do appreciate some of the material on the Morse years albums, it is played with much skill and there are definitely some tasty bits. Am I passionate about it? Not so much. The passion is reserved for the era of In Rock to Machine Head/ Made in Japan and Burn. After that, yes there have been some good albums, but not great albums.

    As for the detractors of Glenn Hughes. I understand that some people do take exception to his unbridled enthusiasm and at times over the top expression in his performances; however nobody can deny that the man is hugely talented. I just saw him a few weeks ago in Singapore and he is fantastic -both on vocal and on bass. And of all the Deep Purple alumni, I have to say that he has the strongest back catalogue……Now that ought to get the haters out in force with pitchforks and torches!!!! 🙂

  106. 106
    Tommy H. says:

    @ 105:

    Regarding the back catalog: Ritchie founded Rainbow and he wins right there IMHO.

  107. 107
    Jerry says:

    Can’t believe there are so many comments about this. Induct Deep Purple into your record collection. What more do you need? Apart from seeing Rod Evans return to perform ‘It’s Hard To Be Without You’ 🙂

  108. 108
    rockvoorne says:

    Well, Tracy.

    Still hanging in.

    Thanx.

    I suppose drinking beers together will be in my next life.
    Circumstances are not very promising I will make it to the states in this life,

    My cats say whoof whoof

  109. 109
    DeeperPurps says:

    Sorry Tommy H. at 106….yes Rainbow was a fine band BUT it had a limited run: 1975 to 1984 and then then 1995-1996 before Ritchie put on his leotards……Whereas Glenn Hughes did HUGHES-THRALL in 1982;, worked with Gary Moore in Run for Cover in 1985; Black Sabbath Seventh Star in 1986; then his comeback in the early 90’s with ADDICTION, Burning Japan Live 1994; the Dep Sessions 1996 with Tony Iommi in 1996, many great solo albums after that, FUSED with Tony Iommi in 2005, work with Voodoo Hill (Dari Mollo) on 3 albums. Black County Communion, California Breed, etc, etc, etc……You can NOT deny his talent.

  110. 110
    Tracy(Zero the Hero)Heyder says:

    never say never rockvoorne…..

    If you have the same e-mail, I will try to contact you tomorrow.

    Ch-BeerZ

  111. 111
    Joseph Lombardo says:

    I have been a Deep Purple fan since back in 1972 and Ian Gillan was my favorite singer. Met him backstage at the Deep Purple Perfect Strangers tour at the Long Beach arena and he was very cool to me (we talked for a few minutes). Let me say that Ian is old enough to know that the world is not a perfect place and by showing up he could show that he is above the fray. After all, he could sing a song without having to talk to Ritchie. The thing to remember is that Deep Purple is being recognized for their hits from a long time ago, not for their recent albums. No matter what happens, those of us who love Deep Purple will continue to love them, even if they had never been inducted.

  112. 112
    Russ Z says:

    The Rock Hall is notorious for making poor decisions. They are pompous and are only (finally) inducting DP because they are tired of being criticized for the obvious exclusion. What they favor are bands that broke ground and changed music MI and II did that. MIII continued. Any thing done since the ’84 reunion, while still very good, has not been groundbreaking. The Hall decision does not surprise me. IG should just accept it and stop pouting. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons did the same thing last year and the fans lost out.

    I have always been a huge Purple and Blackmore fan. I have always been critical of the Hall. Since everyone in the band has stated it is important to the fans and not to them. Its been over 20 years since Blackmore and Gillian have been on stage They should grow up, tolerate each other for a few hours. They should perform 3 songs (one from each era), have Airey sit in for Lord and allow Morse onstage to play with the band. This could make it tolerable for Gillian and what the fans are waiting to see.

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