Deep Purple were denied entry to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame this year — losing out to such artists as American pop singer-songwriter Randy Newman and R&B singer Donna Summer.
The members of Purple, who will release a new album titled "Now What?!" on April 30 in North America, say it is no big loss.
"I don't think the band really care, actually," keyboardist Don Airey tells The Straits Times. "It'd be nice but there's been no 'awwwww', no disappointment."
"The gig's the thing with this band, the next concert,” he adds. “That's what it's all about and we're looking forward to Singapore."
The keyboardist would like to see the Rock Hall stay true to its brand name by placing more emphasis on rockers.
"Newman's fantastic but he's not really a rock act, is he?,” continued Airey. “Neither is Donna Summer, although she made one of the greatest records I've ever heard. If you're going to have a Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, let's have some rock and rollers in there."
He added, laughing: "There was a kind of ripple of excitement, like 'Oh, we've been nominated!'. Then [lead singer] Ian [Gillan] said, 'Don't worry, we won't get in'."
Deep Purple made the short list last fall as first-time Rock Hall nominees, despite being eligible since 1993.
Produced by Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, Kiss and many others), “NOW What?!” is the group’s 19th studio album and first since 2005’s “Rapture Of The Deep.”
Last week, Deep Purple released a lyric video for “All The Time In The World,” the lead track from the album. You can hear it here.
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