Deep Purple are a band that I have followed since the early seventies and although my musical taste has changed over the years, I continue to follow this legendary band as they I continue to tour and produce albums of credit to this day.

The video clips (right) features a Rick Wakeman interview with Jon Lord the former keyboard player with the band and a collection of live performances including an early performance of Hush at the Playboy Mansion in October 1968. In this segment from Playboy After Dark Hugh Hefner talks to the band on stage before their performance.

The Music Player below (from MySpace) features tracks from the band's last album Rapture of the Deep. Myspace/deeppurple Click on the Albums link on the bottom left hand corner of the player to view and listen to more albums from the band.

Deep Purple were featured on the BBC's series Seven Ages of Rock. Here is an extract featuring Ian Gillan and Roger Glover talking about the writing of the song Black Knight. Seven Ages of Rock: Deep Purple - Black Knight

More from the series at: bbc.co.uk/music/sevenages

While on tour in the UK (in 2007), BBC Radio Five-Live caught up with Ian Gillan and the Purple front man spoke about a number of issues including politics, the longevity of the band and his ability to keep his voice in good shape.

He was also asked about the band's changing personnel over the years but was reluctant to discuss his sometimes-stormy relationship with ex-Purple member Ritchie Blackmore. However, he did say that many of the problems with the former guitarist were due to Ritchie suffering from "pre-minstrel tension". (In recent years Blackmore has described himself as a medieval wandering minstrel.). - Made me laugh.

In April 2006 Ian Gillan released an album celebrating his forty years in the business. He has re-recorded material from his career with Purple and other bands such as Black Sabbath along with material from his various solo projects.

In an interview with Colin Slade on Planet Rock Radio, Gillan talked about his album describing how it was recorded. The album entitled "Gillan's Inn" features guest appearances from the likes of Joe Elliot (Def Leppard), Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath), guitarist Joe Satriani, Janick Gers (Iron Maiden), Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions), Johnny Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls), Ronnie James Dio (Rainbow & Dio), Steve Morse, Jeff Healey and the rest of Deep Purple. The album itself comes in CD form and material in DVD format featuring how the project came together plus much more.

Listen to Gillan's Inn