IG: It is slightly different every night, depending on the circumstances. But it has a power of its own and we couldn’t possibly treat it with anything other than the respect it deserves — and quite rightly the audience expects to hear it fresh and powerful — they always join in the choruses.
TT: What music do you listen to these days?
IG: Depends on my mood, but the most recent album is called Duende Magic and is full of wonderful flamenco guitar — Paco de Lucia, El Tomatito, etc.
TT: What is your view on rock and pop music
of today? For you, what’s good about it and what
is lacking?
IG: I couldn’t possibly comment as it is my firm belief that contemporary art (music, whatever) can only be judged subjectively and I’m not part of that generation. I remember being irritated when my older relatives would criticize my rock ’n’ roll, but I was even more annoyed when they praised it.
TT: The band has been through countless personnel changes, and you’ve managed to keep three out of five long-standing members. What is the secret to your longevity as a band? What keeps you going?
IG: Actually it’s the same thing that brought us together in the first place — music. And there is
an understanding between us that gives the music
its identity.
TT: Have you seen the film This Is Spinal Tap? Much of the humor was influenced by rock ’n’ roll myths associated with Deep Purple (like the Stonehenge segment) and bands of the same generation. What do you think of the movie and the characters?
IG: I think it’s hilarious. But the Stonehenge thing was to do with Black Sabbath when I was with them for the Born Again album and tour.
TT: You’ve sung with Pavarotti. What was that like? And have you thought about reprising your role in Jesus Christ Superstar?
IG: I sang the aria Nessun Dorma twice with Luciano Pavarotti. He was a giant in every sense, with a lovely twinkle in his eye. The JC Superstar recording was the definitive interpretation and I couldn’t see any reason to repeat it.
TT: How much new material will Deep Purple be performing in Taipei? What can first-time audiences expect to see?
IG: We try to strike a balance between well-known songs like Highway Star, Hush, Smoke, etc, with some more obscure material like Maybe I’m a Leo, Mary Long, etc and some relatively new stuff, possibly Rapture of the Deep, Things I Never Said, and so on.
But the main ingredient to every [Deep Purple] show is the improvisation and jamming. I never quite know what to expect up there, but it does get dangerous sometimes.
TT: What’s next for Deep Purple? Is there a new album in the works?
IG: No idea — we never make plans. 2010 is a busy year on the road — we don’t finish until mid-December, so I guess we’ll take a holiday then see what’s what.
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