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NOTE: This is news. Talk to Joanna for the latest rumours.

For upcoming releases please check here
If you have any news, please send them to the news crew

May 4
Paice, Ashton, Lord DVD
T2 Media will release a DVD with PAL (Paice, Ashton, Lord) a group which emerged after the collapse of Deep Purple in 1976. But they didn’t last long very long, just one studio album plus a few live concerts. In early 1978 it was over. PAL included Ian Paice, Tony Ashton and Jon Lord plus Paul Martinez (bass) and Bernie Marsden (guitar). The DVD includes the "Sight & Sound In Concert" from 1977. The tracks are:
1. Ghost Story
2. On The Road Again
3. Silas And Jerome
4. Arabella
5. The Ballad Of Mr. Giver
6. I’m Gonna Stop Drinkin
7. Steamroller Blues
8. Malice In Wonderland
9. Remember The Good Times
10. Sneaky Private Lee
The DVD also includes the "Lifespan" documentary with auditions, rehearsals, back-stage footage and live footage from the UK tour. No release date yet.
Thanks to T2 Media for the information.

April 30
Living Loud Live
Living Loud's concert from Sydney, April 26, 2004, will be released on CD in July 2005. It will be released as a regular CD and a limited edition double CD. The tracks are:
1. Hideaway
2. Lonesome Traveller Blues
3. Blues With A Feeling
4. You Got Good Business
5. Green Onions 
6. 24/7 Blues
7. Baby Please Last Chance
8. I Don’t Know
9. Every Moment A Lifetime
10. Crazy Train
11. In The Name Of God
12. Flying High Again
13. Pushed Me Too Hard
14. Mr Crowley
15. Tonight
16. Walk Away
17. Over The Mountain
18. Gimme Some Lovin
19. Good Times
The limited edition contains a bonus interview CD, with lengthy interviews featuring Steve Morse, Bob Daisley and Jimmy Barnes discussing the formation of the band, the recording sessions, their live rehearsals etc. The concert is already avaible on DVD and can be found in our shop. Also, European live dates are being booked for September - October 2005.
Thanks to T2 Media and Living Loud for the information.

April 25
Ian Gillan DVD
Ian Gillan and Craig Hooper (Producer of Ian Gillan's DVD) wrote a letter about the upcoming Ian Gillan DVD. Here is a few bits from Craig:

"This film takes a look at Gillan's life of forty years of hard road, recording, excesses, humour, riches, poverty, trend setting, and his complete and current devotion to rock and roll. In this film, you will hear friends, musicians Gillan has worked with and influenced, even Gillan's mum, tell their stories about moments along the way in Ian's life."

"Tony Iommi was interviewed at his home and talks about Gillan's uproarious days with Sabbath. It was many of the stories from the Sabbath days that inspired Spinal Tap, and you'll hear all about it, from the Stonehenge replica, the druids, to Ian's maniacal midnight car race that ended with a song called Trashed' - quite amazing that he's here to tell the story."

"Never before has such intimate footage of Gillan, and about Gillan, been captured, and in my humble opinion, as Producer and fan, this will be a must-have for anyone who has been moved by Gillan's voice and music over the years."

Read Ian Gillan's and Craig Hooper's full letter.
Thanks to Ian Gillan for the information.

April 24
Burn In USA
Deep Purple's remastered edition of "Burn", was released in Europe last year. On May 3, it will be released in North America by Warner. You can order it in our shop.

April 24
Atlantic City Venue Change
Deep Purple will not play at Hard Rock Showboat in Atlantic City, USA on June 27. Instead they will play at Borgata Hotel Casino, but still the same day.
Thanks to Al. J. and Joe Favinger for the information.

April 21
Aftershow Party In Norway
After Deep Purple's concert in Haugesund, Norway, May 20, there will be an aftershow party at "Flytten rockclub". The tribute band "Come Taste The Band" will be playing purple songs all night.
Thanks to Jo H. Kaasin for the information.

April 15
Japanese Article
The May issue (No.68) of the Japanese monthly music magazine "Strange days" has a 37 pages Deep Purple article including reviews of all Deep Purple albums (Japanese edition). It's also have "Burn" on the cover.
Thanks to Eichi Ota for the information.

April 14
Letter from Ian Gillan
Ian Gillan took some time off and wrote a letter. Here is a few bits:

"MLJ and myself were having a bite and a beer in the local pub, when we heard this violin turn into Hendrix. There was a duo (Kindred Spirit) playing in the corner of the bar - an interesting mixture of folk and rock. The guy's name was Sim Jones (orchestra leader, teacher and violinist extraordinaire). MLJ asked him if he would like to come back to the studio and take a pass at 'Smoke'. Well he did - one take - and you will hear the result eventually."

"Now I am in Los Angeles with the rest of the guys commencing work on the new Deep Purple record. Ian Paice has figured out why Ritchie was so grumpy for so many years - it was a pre-minstrel thing apparently."

"Deep Purple sold around 150,000 tickets in the UK alone, at the beginning and end of the 'Bananas' tour that covered about 38 countries in 18 months and played to millions around the world. EMI, in the UK, pressed - and sold easily - 18,000 copies. They refused point blank to produce any more." "Enough, we move on. DP is no longer with EMI."

Read the full letter.
Thanks to Ian Gillan for the information.

April 14
Studio Journal: Ian Gillan Sessions
The producer/engineer Allen Farmelo has written a studio journal about his sessions with Ian Gillan.

"Met Ian and his mates at Chameleon West's Studio A to track vocals for "Highway Star" for something related to School of Rock." "Ian laid down his vocals in one inspired take, and the doubles were dead on. My first impression: Holy $&!#, this guy can sing!"

Read the the journal.
Thanks to Allen Farmelo for the information.

April 14
Gillan's Inn CD
Ian Gillan have recorded several songs for his new album “Gillan’s Inn”. “Hang Me Out To Dry”, “Sugar Plum”, “Day Late And A Dollar Short”, “Unchain Your Brain”, “Speed King”, “Bluesy Blue Sea”, “Trashed”, “I'll Be Your Baby Tonight”, “Can I Get A Witness”, “Men Of War”, “Loving On Borrowed Time”, “When A Blind Man Cries”, “Smoke On The Water”, “No Laughing In Heaven”, “Demon's Eye”, “No Worries” (New Song). It's not decided yet which tracks or which versions of those tracks will be on the album. But they will all see the light of day in one form or another. Guest musician are: Joe Satriani, Don Airey, Ian Paice, Mickey Lee Soule, Roger Glover, Jeff Healey, Janick Gers, Jon Lord, Steve Morris, Dean Howard among others. The recordings will be completed by the end of April. Mixing and mastering will be done by end of May.
Thanks to Ian Gillan for the information.

April 14
Live In Stockholm Samples
Here is a few small cuts from the double CD "Live In Stockholm" (1970) which were released on April 4. Listen on "Child In Time", "Mandare Root", "Speed King", "Wring That Neck". You can buy the CD in our shop.

April 9
Ian Gillan & Rock School
Ian Gillan has lay down vocals on the soundtrack to the film "Rock School", which will be released on May 31. The film is a documentary, which chronicles the inception and success of Paul Green's School Of Rock Music, which was founded in Philadelphia in 1999, to teach young musicians and singers to play and perform classic rock 'n' roll. The soundtrack to "Rock School" featuring the actual students that appeared in the film, re-recording songs together with Ian Gillan, Alice Cooper, Dave Mustaine, Billy Idol etc. "When the producers asked me to be a part of 'Rock School', I said okay and asked them to send me a track of the kids performing our song. What I heard was a bunch of kids giving it 100 percent, and it sounded great. It was good fun," said Ian Gillan, who performs "Highway Star" on the soundtrack.
Thanks to Blabbermouth.net for the information.

April 8
Ian Gillan & Jeff Healey jam
Ian Gillan was guesting Jeff Healey at Healey's club in Toronto, Canada, yesterday evening. The set was 45 min long and included "Highway Star", "Lazy", "Sugar Plum", "When A Blind Man Cries"among others. Ian said that Jeff Healey is playing the guitar parts on "When A Blind Man Cries" on his upcoming CD (Gillan's Inn) and that Jon Lord is doing the organ parts. See a picture from the Gillan & Healey jam.
Thanks to Glen Miller for the information.

April 6
Ian Paice at MD Festival
Ian Paice will guesting the Modern Drummer Festival in New Jersey, USA on May 28, together with Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Danny Carey (Tool) etc. More info at Modern Drummer Festival.
Thanks to Modern Drummer for the information.

April 5
Ian Gillan & Jeff Healey
Ian Gillan will guesting Jeff Healey at Healey's club in Toronto, Canada on April 7. The show start at 9 pm and it's a private press and media event, invite only.
Thanks to Jeff Healey for the information.

April 4
Live In Stockholm 1970
Deep Purple's concert in Stockholm November 12, 1970 were released by "Connoisseur Records" in 1988 as "Scandinavian Nights". The recording source came from a Swedish radio broadcast tape. Recently the original four track masters were rediscovered and it was decided to reissue the entire show in a fully remixed version and also putting the tracks back into their correct running order. The double CD is called "Live In Stockholm" and the release date is set to April 4. You can buy the CD in our shop.
Thanks to DPAS and Gilles Snowcat for the information.

April 4
It Was Forty Years Ago Today
Roger Glover wrote a letter a few days ago about his days with "Episode Six" forty years ago. Read the letter.
Thanks to Roger Glover for the information.

March 22
Big Thanks to the Donors
A big thanks to Leslie Hedger and Ralph Pondman for their repeated donations and helping The Highway Star with the February bill. For those who would like to help to keep The Highway Star online, please visit the Donor Page or the Shop. Thank you all, without you, The Highway Star wouldn't exist.

March 22
New collection CD's
A new Deep Purple collection album (3 CD's), titled "Platinum Collection" (Box Set), were released yesterday (Germany and France), it will be released in North America next week and in UK and Japan in May. You can order it here. Another collection album were released in Sweden a week ago, titled "Deep Purple Forever". Two new "Best Of" (Vol 1 and Vol 2) albums are planned for Japan in May and August. The first will be called "Deep" which will contain hits and the second will be called "Purple" which will contain rarities.

March 22
Ian Gillan's upcoming CD
Ian Gillan has been in New York State recording studio working on a new retrospective album, called "Gillan's Inn", covering his 40 years career in rock. Tracks which Ian been working includes "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight", "Can I Get a Witness", "Bluesy Blue Sea", "Speed King", "When a Blind Man Cries", "Demon's Eye", "Hang Me Out to Dry", "Sugar Plum", "Men of War", "No Laughing in Heaven", "Trashed", and "Smoke On The Water". Several guest musicians have been asked to add parts to these recordings, including Jon Lord, Tony Iommi, Luciano Pavarotti and Uli Jon Roth. Pavarotti will sing on "Smoke On The Water".Concurrently, a documentary is in production for English TV and a DVD.
Thanks to DPAS, Ireland On-Line, Blabbermouth.net and Ian Gillan for the information.