When I was 20, I didn't give a damn about song construction. With Joe, we didn't have to rely as much on heavy riffs. "It also helped that our new singer, Joe Lynn Turner, writes and sings great melodies. We really worked hard on constructing good, memorable songs and interesting chord progressions. But seriously, the older I get, the more I want to hear melodies. "Musically, I would say the singer doesn't drink as much. How does this edition of Deep Purple differ from past formations? "Thank you for being so attentive," says this amiable bane of rock journalists. The restaurant 's proprietor stops by to announce, "Closing time." I wholeheartedly thank Ritchie for being so cooperative. He even performs a magic trick, changing a nickel into a quarter before our very appreciative eyes. Within a few dizzying moments he demonstrates that, his reputation notwithstanding, he is a hell of a nice guy, funny – a great dude to hang out with. It's on.” "Just checking," he says slyly. I turn to Blackmore, a bit befuddled, and insist, "It's moving. I examine the contraption, but it seems to be running smoothly. 'The tape's busted!' My worst fears, realized.īrad stares at me, horror etched on his features.
But before I can ask the first question, he points at my tape recorder and in thick British tones says, "By the way, that's not on." 'Oh no,' I think.
"Are you ready?" I ask, and Blackmore nods his assent. He grasps our outstretched hands (a good sign, I think) and we introduce ourselves.īlackmore seats himself, and orders a beer. As usual, he's dressed in black, except for a white ruffled shirt that makes him look like a French nobleman. He looks great – better than he did 10 years ago, which is far more than can be said of most longtime rockers. After a few moments, we are joined by Ritchie Blackmore. We enter the dimly-lit dining area to the accompaniment of mellow piano music, diners' chattering and dishes clattering, and seat ourselves. Then I remember that as a youth, Blackmore had a penchant for throwing eggs, tomatoes and four-pound bags of flour from moving vehicles at passersby (with particular preference, presumably, for elderly women in wheelchairs.)Īt last, a member of Blackmore's entourage comes by to say that the great one is ready.
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