Classic Rock
Ian Gillan explains why Ian Paice is the most important member of Deep Purple
Deep Purple was formed back in 1968 and was active until 1976, being inactive for eight before their reunion in 1984. Since then the group keeps recording and touring around the world, but obviously, with several line-up changes when it comes to guitarists, especially. They are currently promoting their new album “=1” and the band is formed nowadays by Ian Gillan (Vocals), Ian Paice (Drums), Roger Glover (Bass), Don Airey (Keyboards) and Simon McBride (Guitar).
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In an interview with The Sun, the singer Ian Gillan said that the most important member of the band is Ian Paice. He is the only member of the group who was part of all the releases.
Ian Gillan explains why Ian Paice is the most important member of Deep Purple
“Oh, those guys! (The Rhythm section). Gillan then cries and continues: “Without them, you wouldn’t have a rhythm section. Without a rhythm section, all the solos mean nothing. Ian Paice grew up as a child in a musical family, the same as me. And he’s been the rock behind the band since it started.”
“He’s the founding father now that Jon (Lord) is gone and the only rock drummer I know that swings. That’s because of the way he grew up and his influences. I’ve played Smoke On The Water with some heavy metal drummers and some very famous drummers. Not one of them has played it right. They were all bashing the hell out of the drum kit. Ian lets the music do its work. It’s in his bones and he’s probably the most important member of the band,” Ian Gillan said.
Born in Nottingham, England back in 1948, Ian Paice started his musical career in the early 60s, when he was still a teenager. Besides being part of the entire Deep Purple discography, he also worked over the decades with other artists in a few recording sessions. Some of them were Gary Moore, Velvet Underground, Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
