Deep Purple will release “Live At The NEC”, a 2002 concert recorded at the NEC in Birmingham, UK, next month.
Due August 26, the DVD captures a landmark September 14, 2002 show at the venue as the group bid farewell to founding member and keyboard legend Jon Lord, who would retire from the lineup less than a week later.
“Live At The NEC” features both of the band’s keyboard players – Lord and Don Airey, who would go on to take over his duties. Airey serves as the principal keyboardist throughout the show, culminating in a solo before the lights drop, with Lord appearing for “Perfect Strangers.” The two share keyboard duties for the rest of the night, in a fitting passing-of-the-torch moment.
Lord passed away July 16, 2012 at the age of 71 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
With Purple, the keyboardist co-wrote many of the group’s legendary songs, including “Smoke On The Water,” and played with many bands and musicians throughout his career.
In addition to the concert, “Live At The NEC” also includes bonus interviews with vocalist Ian Gillan and bassist Roger Glover.
Previously only available as part of the 2008 box set “Around The World Live”, the concert film is being made available for the first time as a standalone DVD.
Deep Purple will issue two more packages from the box set – “Total Abandon: Australia 1999” and “Bombay Calling: India 1995” – on digital formats on August 26.
The band are currently playing shows across Europe this summer.
Deep Purple
"Live At The NEC"
Release date: August 26
01. Fireball
02. Woman From Tokyo
03. Mary Long
04. Ted The Mechanic
05. Lazy
06. The Well Dressed Guitar
07. When A Blind Man Cries
08. Space Truckin'
09. Keyboard Solo
10. Perfect Strangers
11. Speed King
12. Guitar Solo
13. Smoke On The Water
14. Hush
15. Black Night
16. Highway Star
See also:
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