2004
Nov-Dec
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May-June
Mar-Apr
Jan-Feb

2001
Oct-Dec
Aug-Sep
May-July

2000
Sep-Dec
May-Aug
Mar-Apr
Jan-Feb

1999
Nov-Dec
Sep-Oct
July-Aug
May-June
Mar-Apr
Jan-Feb

1998
Nov-Dec
Sep-Oct
June-Aug
Feb-Mar

1997
Nov-Dec
Mar-June

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

December 24
X-mas Letter From Gillan
Ian Gillan took some time off and wrote an X-mas letter. Here is a few bits:

"I have been honoured by the contributions made by many friends and peers to a TV/DVD special, being made to mark my forty years on the road. Joe Satriani, Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Sir Tim Rice, Claud Nobs (Funky Claud), Luciano Pavarotti, Joe Elliott, Jon Lord, the current Purple Guys and many others have generously given time for the camera. The team - producer Craig, along with camera and sound men, Barry and Brian - has gone to extraordinary lengths to capture material for what Craig confidently claims will be the best ever Rock Documentary. Filming will finish and editing begins in February. It should be ready by the summer."

"In February I am going to Toronto where I'll be making a record to go along with the Documentary. With producer Nick Blagona (Perfect Strangers, Accidentally on Purpose etc.) I will be recording tracks from over the years - Javelins, Episode Six, DP, Gillan, Sabbath, solo stuff etc. There will be quite a few special guest appearances."

"Also, I have put together a book called 'Caramba' containing articles and pictures selected from the website and some never seen before."

"After Toronto I am going to St. Petersburg where I have been invited to sing a few songs with a Russian All-Star band - that's on the 23rd Feb. Then on 3rd March DP is doing a show in Switzerland and after that we'll be heading for Los Angeles to commence work on the new album."

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

December 24
X-mas Letter From Glover
Roger Glover took some time off and wrote an X-mas letter. Here is a few bits:

"A banner year for the band, a great set of tours, very enjoyable, many lovely people all over the place, so many special moments. Bananas has now become a sound and not a fruit. And an attidude. I thank all those who braved the elements and wafted their way to a venue somewhere not near here in order to be in front of a stage where we walk. The band is the band because of you (bowing)."

"Next year is going to be a rather different kettle of fosh. I am really looking forward to the next band writing session and the following album."

Read Roger Glover's full letter.
Thanks to Roger Glover for the information.

December 16
Don Remembering Dimebag
Don Airey remembering "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott who was killed on stage during a concert in Ohio a few days ago.
"Deeply shocked by what has happened. I saw Pantera play a few years ago at Wolverhampton Civic. They were brilliant, and Darrell a master of his art. Met them briefly afterwards, and they were charming humorous and low key. One memory of the evening is of a lone punter jumping on stage during the encore, then not having the courage to dive off. Most bands would have the road crew throw him out, but Darrell went up to him, patted him on the head, gave him a beer, and the guy cheerfully sat out the rest of the number on the drum riser. The man will be missed. My sympathies to the family, particularly Vinnie."
Thanks to Metal Sludge for the information.

December 16
Big Thanks to the Donors
A big thanks to Ralph Pondman, Robert Prior and Andrew Summerhayes for their repeated donations and helping The Highway Star with the November 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.

December 10
Wall Street Journal
In today issue of the US magazine "The Wall Street Journal", there is an article about Deep Purple.

December 10
Living Loud Interview
Living Loud vocalist Jimmy Barnes and bassist Bob Daisley dropped into Undercover to speak with Paul Cashmere. Here you see and listen what they had to say about the beginnings of Living Loud (part 1), future plans for Living Loud (part 2)., extending setlist & 'Flying High Again' (part 3), 'Crazy Train' & 'In The Name of God' (part 4).
Thanks to Undercover for the information.

December 10
Convention In Italy
There will be a Deep Purple convention in Italy next year. It will take place the 5th of February at the Teatro Aurora in Marghera (Venice), were a series of tribute bands will play (plus a special guest), Purple Eyes, Milestone, Stage, Kimera, Stormbringer, Elprup Peed, Leader Ship, Purple Sucker, and Stormmirror. The show starts 20.30, the ticket will be €6,00 and all proceeds will go to charity. At Marghera's City Hall, 200 meters from the theater, there will be a Deep Purple  & Family exposition with videos, memorabilia etc. The entrance is free and it will be open from 10.00 to 19.00. For more info, call +39 3491418941 or send a email to sanluci1@aliceposta.it

December 2
Hughes & Paice
As we reported before (in January), Ian Paice and former Deep Purple bassist/singer Glenn Hughes has both been involved in an Italian project called Moonstone. Here you can listen on "Rose in Hell"in the background (with both Hughes and Paice) and here you can listen on another one called "Where Do You Hide Your Blues You've Got" (mp3, also with Hughes and Paice). The album is supposed to be called "Time To Take A Stand" and be released early 2005.
Thanks to Moostone and GlennHughesItalia for the information.

November 28
New Home for THS
The Highway Star is about to move to a new server, so there could be some problems over the coming week to reach The Highway Star. We will try our best to minimize the disruption though. If you notice something weird (anytime) we (The Editorial Team) would appreciate if you send us a mail. The contacts mail can be found here or just send a mail to news@thehighwaystar.com

November 28
Snapshot Interview
Is there things you wondering about concerning Roger Glover's latest solo album Snapshot? Roger Glover might has the answer on your question. Check here.
Thanks to Roger Glover for the information.

November 26
Purple on Norwegian TV
Tonight, Norwegian TV (NRK1) will broadcast 50 min of the Machine Head documentary. It starts right after midnight, 00.10 to 01.00. For more info, check here.
Thanks to Knut Lagesen for the information.

November 23
Gillan Topic on the Radio
Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden) will be hosting "BBC Radio 2" series, called "Masters Of Rock". On Thursday 2 December, Ian Gillan will be the topic of the show. The show is between 21.00 and 22.00 (GMT). Listen to the show here. For more info, check here.

November 23
Gillan & Dean Howard
Dean Howard (ex-Gillan Band Repo Depo) who were the opening act on Deep Purple's U.K. tour has relesed a new album which feature Ian Gillan on one song. Ian Gillan has laid down vocals and harmonica on a song called "Smokescreen". The album is titled "Volume One".
Thanks to Dave for the information.

November 21
Steve Morse U.K. Stories
Bananas world tour ended a few days ago. Steve Morse wrote a few lines about the final in the U.K. Here is a few bits:

"Gigs have really gone well. Great package with Dean Howard, Thunder, and Peter Frampton."

"Peter Frampton and I wrote some songs together, and ended up recording one on the Stand Up album with the Steve Morse Band. He still sings great, and I think he plays better than ever. It's always good to find old friends on the road, and this has been very pleasant as we have made plans to work at least a few days together on something instrumental."

"Bernie Marsden, another of Whitesnake's members, came to the gig a few nights ago, and we almost had a little jam, but our set got too close to the time limit."

"However, in London, who should suddenly turn up behind the organ, (actually, it was HIS Hammond that we've been using on the road), but Jon Lord. Very cool and everybody was smiling and enjoying the reunion, however brief."

"Then, last night in Cardiff, Uli Roth came to the gig. Uli is a fantastic, very individual guitar player, and of course I asked him if he'd like to play on a song if time permitted."

Read Steve's full letter here.
Thanks to Steve Morse for the information.

November 17
Uli Roth's Purple Experience
As we reported two days ago, Uli Roth joined Deep Purple onstage at Cardiff International Arena on November 14. Here is what Uli himself had to say about his Purple Experience:

"It was a great honour to be asked to jam with Deep Purple. For me they always have been the one band who defined the genre of classic rock like no other and they are still to this day an amazing band. Apart from that they are the nicest guys and made me feel so much at home."

"Ian Gillan for me has always been my favourite male singer in rock and as I watched the band today I was amazed at how pitch-perfect every single note was that he sang throughout the evening. Didn't put a single foot wrong - each and every note was in the pocket and delivered with great feeling and total authority."

Read Uli's full story here.
Thanks to Uli Roth for the information.

November 16
DVD with Steve Morse
Steve Morse performance with Dixie Dregs from Montreux Jazz Festival July 23, 1978, will be released on DVD in January 2005 (when they tour USA). The tracklist is...
1. Freefall (04:08)
2. Leprechaun Promenade (03:35)
3. Country House Shuffle (03:30)
4. Patchwork (04:27)
5. Attila The Hun (03:47)
6. Wabash (04:34)
7. Punk Sandwich (03:50)
8. Wages Of Weirdness (03:56)
9. Take It Off The Top (04:01)
10. Catherine (02:41)
11. Dixie (03:33)
Thanks to Steve Morse for the information.

November 15
Uli Roth with Deep Purple
Yesterday Uli Roth joined Deep Purple onstage at Cardiff International Arena, UK, for the encore of Black Night.
Thanks to everyone who reported this.

November 14
Jon Lord on stage with Deep Purple
Yesterday Jon Lord joined Deep Purple onstage at Wembley Arena, London for the encore of Black Night. Reports indicate even the band were surprised by Lord's appearance, with Gillan doing a mock 'who the heck are you?' routine. See picture 1 here and picture 2 here.
Thanks to everyone who reported this.

November 12
Big Thanks to the Donors
A big thanks to Hein Bierman and Ivo Santamaria who helped The Highway Star with the October bill. A special big thanks to Leslie Hedger, Ralph Pondman and Robert Prior for their repeated donations. 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.

November 1
Steve's Ukraine Stories
Deep Purple has ending their Russian/Ukraine part of the Bananas World Tour. Steve Morse took his computer and wrote a few words about the final part. Here is a few bits:

"Ukraine has been rapidly changing as well as the cities of Russia. You see signs of change and growth everywhere as people are responding to ease of starting up a business. Don't know how easy it really is compared to us, but it sure is happening everywhere."

"Whatever your perceptions about Russia and the former USSR, you should take a trip here and be prepared to be surprised. We always are. Lots of good things are happening, and we considered this a very big success."

Read Steve's full letter.
Thanks to Steve Morse for the information.

November 1
New Studio Album
Ian Gillan and the producer Michael Bradford (Bananas) are planning to work in February on idea's for the next Deep Purple album. Ian Gillan will also do a new solo CD.
Thanks to DPAS for the information.

November 1
Paice Ashton Lord
The Tony Ashton Abbey Road concert from June 16, 2000 featuring Tony himself, Jon Lord, Ian Paice and many others, is planned to be released on DVD early 2005.
Thanks to Purple Heart for the information.

November 1
Living Loud Concerts
The Agency are looking at concert dates for Living Loud in Europe in March and festivals dates in June/July 2005. Also, an Australian promotor is trying to sort out dates for May 2005 to include Singapore, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia.
Thanks to Purple Heart for the information.

November 1
Steve in your Phone
Steve Morse is currently negotiating with a major telecommunication network to supply Music True Tones (master recordings that can be downloaded and used as ringtones). The idea is to create two catalogues of each 10 - 12 tones. The first called "Killer Riffs" and a second called "Sizzling Solos".
Thanks to Purple Heart for the information.