A deputy organist at a local church
Don Airey will play the top billing at the HRH Prog Festival in Northern Wales this coming November. In a recent interview with Classic Rock Revisited he also hinted about more UK dates to come:
Getting ready to do a four-month summer run of festivals with DP starting in Mexico in May, with perhaps a UK tour in November with my own band following up on the release of One of a Kind.
The rest of the interview is well worth checking out. For the lesser known moments of his illustrious career, if nothing else:
Jeb: You like the Hammond. I’ve heard you even play at your church in your local village. Is that true?
Don: Yes, I am officially deputy organist at the local church, the only proper job I have ever had. If I am around and needed it’s a privilege to play there, but not the easiest of gigs, I have to say. The organ dates back to Victorian times, and is a splendid instrument, and of course you have really to be on your toes…keeping up with the choir…and not missing the many service cues…and remembering the important part dynamics and phrasing play in hymns, anthems and psalms.
Read more in Classic Rock Revisited.
Thanks to Yvonne for the info.
I do hope ‘the UK’ actually means the U.K. and not just England, Scotland and Wales…..😎
May 15th, 2018 at 18:31Song reminds me of Rainbow. I like Don, he’s got the magic touch.
May 15th, 2018 at 19:10Lost Boys reminds me of Gillan’s Running White Face City Boy. Not all of it but some of it.
May 16th, 2018 at 12:26Great if Mr A could record the Victorian church organ for a solo or even Deep Purple track! I think the church organs sound brilliant in the intro. to Rainbow’s Can’t Let You Go (David Rosenthral) and Yes’ Parallels (Rick Wakeman).
May 18th, 2018 at 08:34Great riff on ‘Lost Boys’, but why isn’t it the basis of a Purple song?
May 19th, 2018 at 04:42CD 2 Has great remakes of Rainbow classic’s and one Gary Moore song……Still gots the blues….great stuff !
May 22nd, 2018 at 14:31Don you’re the best………just not better then Sir John.
June 6th, 2018 at 13:06