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1985 1987 1991 1993 2002

Ritchie-Blackmore-setting-fire-to-his-guitar-onstage,California-1974




Deep Purple/ Knebworth Fayre 1985



The House of Blue Light Tour 87

3 march 1987 / Wembley Arena / London


After Knebworth's mudbath a few years back here I was watching them again, this time in the dry. Bad Company (support) who had also got back together, were enjoyable, but were without their famous singer paul Rodgers. It was still great to hear classics like "Cant Get Enough".

Deep Purple again did not disappoint and played a great set, they still were leaning back to the 70's for the bulk of the show (not complaining). Blackmore and Gillan actually looked as though they liked each other tonight, though it was'nt to last much longer !! Blackmore's Quadraphonic sounding solo in "Space truckin" sounded a mess (it sounded better outside at Knebworth) but it did not detract from the rest of the show.(9/10)


7th March 1987 / NEC / Birmingham


It was time to follow them up the M1/M6 to Birmingham a few days later. I seem to remember that they seemed on better form and I think it was the same set as a few days back. Still a 100% great show.

I remember coming out to Snow/having snowball fights/getting stuck in the snow at Stow On The Wold/ getting home in time to see the sunrise.

Ticket/advert



Tour/Programme






click/for/review/of/3.3.87

click above for Kerrang review of gig




SETLIST

Highway Star, Strange Kind Of Woman, The Unwritten Law, Dead Or Alive, Perfect Strangers, Hard Lovin' Woman, Child In Time, Difficult To Cure, Jon Lord Keyboard Solo Knocking At Your Back Door, Lazy, Space Truckin', Black Night, Smoke On The Water






1991

Slaves & Masters Tour 91

15th March 1991 / Hammersmith Odeon /London

Support: Vixen


Ian Gillan had left and Joe Lynn Turner(ex Rainbow) took over the vocals for this tour(and one album "Slaves & Masters"). He handled the job well tonight, but is know Gillan or Coverdale(a bit lightweight).

It was good to hear the classic "Burn" as the opener from the Coverdale MK 3 era(which made the concert for me). The only time I have heard it live at a Purps gig. The show was pretty slick,well paced and fun.


SETLIST

Burn ,Black Night ,Truth Hurts ,The Cut Runs Deep ,Hush,Perfect Strangers ,Fire In The Basement,King of Dreams ,Love Conquers All ,Difficult To Cure ,Knockin At Your Backdoor ,Tutti Frutti,Whiter Shade of Pale,Yesterday,Lazy ,Highway Star ,Smoke On The Water ,Women from Tokyo



Tour-Programme

gig-advert



Turner/Blackmore-1991-tour

photo:www.rockforever.com


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The battle Rages On 1993

9th november 1993 / NEC / Birmingham


Well were do I start on this one ! Blackmore and Gillan's relationship was at breaking point on this tour. This would be Blackmore's last gig with Purple in England and A few weeks later and he we would leave for good.

This concert was recorded for the video/DVD "Come Hell or Highwater" and is imfamous for The beginning of the concert. I was sitting right at the side of the stage behind Jon Lord and could see really well as they came on and started into "Highway star" but there was no Blackmore, they kept on playing and still he wasn't there (I realised that there were problems). The song went on untill Blackmore would play a solo, he appeared went off again and then picked up a cup of water and throw it past Lord over the cameraman(It was all a bit handbags at dawn). This was purple 93 and I remember thinking what was next.

I have to say it was still a great concert but Blackmore only really let rip in "Child in Time".




album-advert-poster





dvd-cover-of-concert







2002

15th September 2002 / Guildhall / Portsmouth

Support:The Planets


It was about time I went to see them again, nine years had past and Jon Lord was retiring. I had heard the first Purple album with Steve Morse on guitar and liked it but couldnt bring myself to see them live without Blackmore. The fact that it would be Lord's last shows with them made it a good excuse to finally go and see them again.

The following is a review of the gig that I sent to "THE DEEP PURPLE APPRECIATION SOCIETY" web site

"The last time I saw Deep Purple was in 1993 at the NEC gig where Blackmore through his glass of water over the cameraman. It was really great to see that they still have power, energy and class to put on a great show. Steve Morse is a great guitarist, and I really liked the way he has taken what Blackmore has done with the band and managed to put his own stamp on things. I have seen Deep Purple six times since 1985 and I have not witnessed them have as much fun as they did tonight. Highway Star at the end of the show really rocked the place down, STUNNING. It was also great to see kids as young as 8/9 and also people up to around the age of 60 at the show (I shall bring my son along next time,whether he likes it or not !), and a wonderful way to say goodbye to Mr Lord, he will be missed. Long live the Purps!!"
tour-dates-poster





ticket







in-concert-2002

photo:www.rock.ru




SETLIST

Fireball,Woman From Tokyo,Mary Long,Ted The Mechanic,Lazy,Well Dressed Guitar,When A Blind Man Cries,Space Truckin',Perfect Strangers,Speed King,Smoke On The Water,Encores:Hush,Black Night,Highway Star



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