Deep Purple’s Jon Lord passes away.

Jon Lord, Deep Purple’s Iconic and legendary keyboardist has died. Wow, What a shock! 71 years old. He retired from Deep Purple back in 2003 and I never got to see him but his music lived on with the current line-up’s Don Airey.  I saw them recently at The Queen Elizabeth Theatre. I’ll add photos later.

I am posting my review for that show now.

February 26, 2012By Paul Fitzgerald

Deep Purple returned to Vancouver after a long hiatus with three original members from 1972’s iconic Machine Head Album. Singer Ian Gillan, drummer Ian Paice  (Original from their 1968 conception) and bass player Roger Glover returned with guitar veteran Steve Morse and phenomenal keyboardist Don Airey. They rocked the rafters at the Q.E. to a very appreciative crowd.

Ian Gillan was boasting that this was the last show of a 6 year, 50 country tour. Ian Gillan’s voice was amazing as he hit those highs on such songs as Woman from Tokayo ( as spelled on my ‘Who Do We Think We Are’ album) , Lazy  and Space Truckin to name a few of the hits performed this night. It took a few bars of Highway Star for Ian to warm up his chords when they hit the stage at 8:30. He also sported a black ankle brace but that didn’t stop him from roaming the stage. So personable he gave away his sunglasses and stopped to shake hands too.

Ian Paice’s drum work was stellar. Forty-five years of hammering out great Rock music. His solo during ‘The Mule’ was flawless. He belted out those classics from the 60’s and 70’s like yesterday. Steve Morse has been Deep Purple’s guitarist since 1994 and plays with passion and a style I had never experienced before . He makes his guitar sing. The way he manipulated the tone dials on the guitar the same time he picks was nothing I had seen before. People who had attended the clinic at Tom Lee’s that Steve had put on that afternoon said he demonstrated his unique style to them. That is the WOW factor, Man!

Don Airey has joined Deep Purple to replace the retired Jon Lord. Jon’s genius keyboard solos on  Lazy and Highway Star identify them as Deep Purple Hits. It is genius work and Don Airey performed all the songs as if they were his own. He is a master of the organ and keyboards. As is Roger Glover on bass. You don’t see a bass player very often who picks as amazingly as Roger. I was mesmerized by his playing. I love great bass players and Roger is great to say the least. That bass just reverbs through your soul. I was an honored recipient of one of his autographed picks. Thanks Roger.

Two hours of hit after hit. They were having a ball. They all put so much passion into their performance. They need a well deserved break after six years. Is this their last Tour to Canada? I hope not. Europe tour starts again Oct. 24, 2012. Thanks for a show of shows. I also lucked out with getting Ian Gillan’s setlist and an autographed drum head by all five members. I have to experience Deep Purple again. Wow , what a show!

Set List.

Highway Star

Hard Lovin’ Man

Maybe I’m a Leo

Strange kind of Woman

Rapture of the Deep

Woman From Tokayo

Contact Lost

Steve Morse’s guitar solo

(included riff’s from Cliffs of Dover)

The Well Dressed Guitar

When a Blind Man Cries

The Mule (Ian Paice’s solo)

Lazy

Fireball

Don Airey’s Keyboard  solo

Perfect Strangers

Space Truckin

Smoke on The Water

ENCORE

Peter Gunn Theme ( Henry Mancini Cover)

Hush ( Joe South cover off of Purple Passages)

Roger Glover Bass solo

Black Night

The opening act was Stars Of Boulevard, from Vancouver, B.C. This hometown band was the 2010 CFOX SEEDS winners. Fresh from touring with Buckcherry as their opening act these guys played some fantastic hard rock for us with an eight song set of great original tunes.

I enjoyed ‘Feel Alright’ and ‘You Can Take The Money‘, the title song of their new CD.

These guys are not a pop act. This quartet rocked! I talked with them after the show and I am convinced opening for Buckcherry on 10 tour dates was great for their Show. Personable on and off stage. Now opening for Deep Purple in Victoria and Vancouver. I picked up their CD after the show and they were on hand to autograph it. You know your good when there are as many people buying your swag as that buying Deep Purple’s. Great show!