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Don’t panic
At the yesterday (March 14) show in Mexico, Deep Purple performed with Jordan Rudess on the keyboards. Don Airey could not make it to the gig “for reasons that have not been disclosed”. This leaves a lot of questions unanswered, but it’s not the time to panic. Not yet, anyway. It could be for a number of reasons — for one, international travel is severely disrupted at the moment.
Rudess is one of the best keyboard players on this planet and his day job is with the prog metal phenomena that is known as Dream Theater. He’s not a newbie to the Purple family either, having had a stint with Dixie Dregs in the 90s.
[Update] Mike Airey posted on his Instagram:
Due to my dad currently being in hospital awaiting an operation, @jcrudess from @dreamtheaterofficial stepped up to the plate here in Mexico and did an amazing job of covering the keys position. I looked after #rogerglover and as such switched from stage left to right. A very different perspective and sound! Show went great. Crowd loved it. Hope to have dad behind the organ in no time!
Thanks to Blabbermouth for the info and to Nigel Young for the update.
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
Dons son Mike says bad is in hospital and should be back soon .
March 15th, 2020 at 16:42lei por algun lado que Don AIrey se tenia que operar
March 15th, 2020 at 16:45Big News.
March 15th, 2020 at 17:37And Dream Theater have performed the whole album Made in Japan live, so this isn’t the first time for those songs. I’ve got a bootleg.
March 15th, 2020 at 18:32Is there any update on whether the European tour will go ahead? I have tickets for Colmar in France, travelling from Australia …. but this is getting more difficult by the day.
March 15th, 2020 at 21:38Deep Theatre? Dream Purple?
March 15th, 2020 at 23:40“It’s so easy to play with this band” (Joe Satriani)
Jordan Rudess is GREAT, and DREAM THEATER are GREAT!
In the Time of CORONA-VIRUS don’t panic, stay at home
and have a nice Day!
March 16th, 2020 at 01:13A great player 🎹
March 16th, 2020 at 04:51Even if Jordan Rudess was not familiar with the Purple stuff, he would probably learn the whole back catalogue in about half an hour. He really is a fantastic player.
March 16th, 2020 at 09:50By the way, Dream Theater’s version of Made In Japan was released as an ”official bootleg” via Mike Portnoy’s website at the time. I suppose it is now out of print.
Panic? I’m seriously sick of that B3-catscreaming of Airey I won’t Even concider going to se them anymore. They could do with a fresh approach. Dare I pray for Steve to follow shortly…?
March 16th, 2020 at 12:36Get well soon and good luck, Don!
March 16th, 2020 at 13:40So cool😎 Who wouldn’t sit in with Purple? Hope Don will be back soon👍
March 16th, 2020 at 21:44Jon lord what a classic keyboard player could play anything on anything what a genius never be another makes airey look like an amateur
March 17th, 2020 at 09:00Wonderfull
March 17th, 2020 at 14:28Hope Don made it before they started cancelling non critical operations.
March 18th, 2020 at 00:11Get well soon
And everyone else stay safe.
Jordan Rudess is a monster player. I reckon he’d make a better fist of taking on Jon Lord than Don Airey.
March 18th, 2020 at 10:57deep purple existe encore?
March 18th, 2020 at 17:37@ 16 – I doubt it, no doubt Rudess is a very good player, but Airey is old school, enough said there. Cheers.
March 18th, 2020 at 21:13The Don issue notwithstanding this is not how I want to remember DP. A lifelong fan from 1970 and as a drummer a huge fan of Paicey. I’ve never seen him play with so little energy or drive. And on a slimmed down kit as well. Can’t hear the vocals that well but Gillan clearly struggling big time. Shame. Time to stop I feel.
March 19th, 2020 at 13:12Don Airey an amateur? Clean your ears. ; – )
Jon Lord was a lovely man and musician, with huge musical feel and a crucial contribution to what Purple was, but technically Don can play circles around him (on piano und organ) and I’m sure Jon would agree. It’s not really the point though …
Jon’s major contribution to DP were not his flashy solos, not his songwriting, but his idiosyncratic groove as a Hammond player. He was to DP what Keith Richards’ rhythm Guitar groove is to the Rolling Stones.
That groove is gone, Don has a different one and put his own stamp on Purple’s sound.
March 20th, 2020 at 15:18Strength to Don
March 20th, 2020 at 16:48Best ever
March 21st, 2020 at 08:11Errr!…why are the gigs still on?…global pandemic…makes no sense.
March 21st, 2020 at 11:14@20 Sorry Uwe, but that’s not the case. I’ve a friend who has played with both and he said Jon was definitely a level above Don. Jon was just as proficient technically as Don, but he had charisma and stage presence, which Don sadly lacks. I recently read a piece about Steve, and he apparently had a real problem with Don’s playing when he replaced Jon. He didn’t go into every detail but he said it was as if Jon was telepathic musically. Jon was a humble man, but there’s a reason he was part of the three best and most influential keyboardists of all time, because he had amazing chops, and you’re the first person I’ve known to say that wasn’t the case.
March 24th, 2020 at 13:53However, I certainly wouldn’t call Don an amateur, he’s a very good player and fits the band well.
March 24th, 2020 at 13:57On Don’s website the first gig listed is 24/6 in Germany.
Not sure if this means that the earlier gigs are now cancelled, or if Don will not be out of hospital or simply a snau on his site.
Whatever, I like his playing – though he is not and never will be or could ever be Jon.
And Steve is not and never will be or could ever be Ritchie.
But Purple is and will always remain Purple.
March 24th, 2020 at 17:12An absolute disgrace. The world is in the throes of a global pandemic and Ian Gillan’s got them touring and spreading the virus? If nothing else, very poor taste.
March 25th, 2020 at 02:17RB @ 24 – I recall a 1990’s interview with Morse where he said playing with Jon Lord was a major reason he joined the band. Lord is his favourite keyboard player. That & the fact Purple were a big influence in his younger days & also that he wouldn’t have to lug his own equipment anymore.
March 25th, 2020 at 03:31Cheers.
@ 27 Ian Gillan did it all by himself..? really…
March 27th, 2020 at 16:10I was looking to see if there was any news of DOn’s op.
I noticed this on Don’s site.
Don guests on Myrath’s upcoming album ‘Live In Carthage’.
The songs on the album showcase the rhythmic, uplifting melodies and powerful lyrics. The live video material transports the viewer into a magical setting with spectacular stage decorations and unforgettable performances. Additionally, the release includes a very special studio recording of the most popular Myrath anthem “Believer” on which Deep Purple’s Don Airey contributed keys.
Live In Carthage arrives on April 17 via earMUSIC.
April 18th, 2020 at 17:20