Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice is thrilled with the band’s induction into the 2016 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
"I knew it would probably happen one day," Paice tells Rolling Stone. “I do appreciate how difficult it probably was for them to do it with so many lineups, so many different members. It's a minefield, really. I suppose it's rather nice.”
Deep Purple members set to be inducted include most of the Mk 1, II and III lineups: Ritchie Blackmore, Jon Lord, Ian Paice, Rod Evans, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes.
Deep Purple have been eligible for entry since 1993 while 2016 marks their third nomination in the past three years. To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released its first single or album at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination.
The drummer is the only member of the group to play with every version of the band.
Asked if he thought that the various lineup changes made it a challenge for the Hall to commit to a nomination and/or induction earlier, Paice says “The problem with Purple is there has been so many incarnations, so many lineups, that I almost thought a couple of years go, ‘Why don't they forget doing a Purple one? Why not treat the guys individually?’
“We've been so fortunate to not just have band members, but to have virtuosos. They warrant their own place individually in the Hall of Fame, people that have influenced whole generations of people who play that instrument, and singers. That would have been the easy way out of it. That's just my little thing on it. But it looks like we're in. That's very nice. I'm pleased.”
“Realistically, you'd like to think that anyone who was ever in the band made a contribution and should really be listed,” he continues. “It doesn't matter if they were there for an album or two; everyone who was in the band actually contributed to the fact we're still there. All these people, from the very beginning to the current lineup, have helped maintain Purple as a viable touring entity that a lot of people around the world really enjoy. So to pick some over others, I wouldn't have done it that way.”
Will Deep Purple members from different eras be able to put aside their differences to perform at the 2016 event?
“I have no idea,” says Paice. “I haven't even thought about it. No idea. We have to accept that there are personalities that don't see eye-to-eye in our history. How that would work, I have no idea. Whether that could be put aside, I don't know. It's definitely one to contemplate and think about.”
Lord passed away July 16, 2012 at the age of 71 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, and singer Evans’ whereabouts remain a mystery.
Among the wild cards on the night is Blackmore, who left the lineup in 1993 and went on to form the medieval folk band Blackmore’s Night in 1997 with then-girlfriend and now-wife Candice Night.
“That's questionable,” Paice says. “He can confuse you sometimes. You think he'll do one thing and he'll do the other. I wouldn't put money either way on that one.”
As for the elusive Evans, Paice explains “We haven't had contact with him since the late 1970s. Nobody seems to know where the hell he is, or even if he is still alive. Not a clue. If anyone knows where Rod is or even if he is still on the planet, that would be good news.”
The 31st Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Friday, April 8 at the Barclays Center in New York and will be broadcast by HBO in the spring.
See also:
Deep Purple, Cheap Trick among 2016 Rock Hall Of Fame inductees
Ritchie Blackmore hints at more Rainbow shows
Deep Purple to release The Vinyl Collection box set
Ritchie Blackmore releases first photo of 2016 Rainbow lineup
Search Deep Purple at hennemusic
