Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice says the band still feel like “a bunch of kids” when they’re making music together.
They’re gearing up for the launch of their 20th studio album InFinite on April 7 which will be followed by The Long Goodbye tour.
And although it might appear that Deep Purple are slowing down, Paice says his love of making music remains as strong as ever.
He exclusively tells the new issue of Classic Rock: “It’s hard to accept that this thing you helped to create and grew up with will be no more. When we can no longer cut the mustard on stage, then we’ll think about hanging the boots up.
“Go and listen to 1972 live album Made In Japan and glory in the fact that there were a bunch of kids who could back then capture all that craziness and still have a measure of control.
“Now listen to what we’re doing all these years later, and inside we’re still a bunch of kids. You don’t have to lose your love for making music.”
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While the name of Deep Purple’s tour might suggest the end of the road for the band, bassist Roger Glover believes they could carry on for up to four more years – and InFinite may not be their final album
He says: “The record company came up with that title anyway. They’re hedging their bets. The idea of announcing a final show like Sabbath has just done – none of us wanted that.
“So we thought, ‘Sod it, let’s just keep going.’ But then no one knows what’s around the corner. It seems the fashion these days is to drop dead – which is kind of frightening when people younger than you are suddenly gone.”
Deep Purple are the cover stars of the brand new issue of Classic Rock magazine which is on sale now and features interviews with all five members.
Other artists in this month’s issue include Jethro Tull, Mastodon, Thunder, Jimi Hendrix, The Magpie Salute and a look back at the life and music of the late John Wetton.
Deep Purple The Long Goodbye tour 2017
Aug 12: Las Vegas The Cosmopolitan, NV (With Alice Cooper)
Aug 13: Los Angeles Greek Theatre, CA (With Alice Cooper)
Aug 15: Phoenix Ak-Chin Pavilion, AZ (With Alice Cooper)
Aug 16: Albuquerque Isleta Amphitheatre, NM (With Alice Cooper)
Aug 23: Bristow Jiffy Lube Live, VA (With Alice Cooper)
Aug 24: Camden BB&T Pavilion, NJ (With Alice Cooper)
Aug 26: Wantagh Nikon at Jones Beach Theater (With Alice Cooper)
Aug 27: Mansfield Xfinity Center, MA (With Alice Cooper)
Aug 28: Holmdel PNC Bank Arts Center, NJ (With Alice Cooper)
Aug 30: Noblesville Kipsch Music Center, IN (With Alice Cooper)
Sep 01: Burgettstown KeyBank Pavilion, PA (With Alice Cooper)
Sep 02: Toronto Budweiser Stage, ON (With Alice Cooper)
Sep 03: Clarkston DTE Energy Music Theatre, MI (With Alice Cooper)
Sep 06: Tinley Park Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, IL (With Alice Cooper)
Sep 08: Maryland Heights Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, MO (With Alice Cooper)
Sep 09: Cuyahoga Falls Blossom Music Center, OH (With Alice Cooper)
Sep 10: Cincinnati Riverbend Music Center, OH (With Alice Cooper)
Nov 17: Birmingham Barclaycard Arena, UK
Nov 18: Manchester Arena, UK
Nov 20: Cardiff Motorpoint Arena, UK
Nov 22: Glasgow SSE Hydro, UK
Nov 23: London O2, UK
Deep Purple InFinite tracklist
- Time For Bedlam
- Hip Boots
- All I Got Is You
- One Night In Vegas
- Get Me Outta Here
- The Surprising
- Johnny’s Band
- On Top Of The World
- Birds Of Prey
- Roadhouse Blues
Deep Purple: 50 years in, where will the adventure take them next?
