Ronnie's departure was made official in late January 1979. The keyboard spot was filled over Christmas by Don Airey, who was pianist for Cozy Powell's Hammer back in 1974. It came as something of a surprise to learn that Roger Glover had been drafted in to help write material, and also to handle production chores. Cozy sneaked back to Britain and sat in on a session for Gary Moore on The Old Grey Whistle Test (BBC TV) on January 12th.

Blackmore also spent Christmas in Britain, probably to check out vocalists. He did take the chance to sneak down to Gillan's opening date at The Marquee, and join in for an encore. Blackmore also asked Gillan to join Rainbow. Ian said no, but in return asked Blackmore to join his band! But Ritchie, according to Gillan, wants to start at the top, and work from America, whereas Gillan wants to begin at the bottom and work his way up. Some of you were lucky enough to be at The Marquee on the night in question (gnashes teeth!)......

"We were all at the front, crushed, waiting for an encore, when the whole place erupted. It was Blackmore. He just walked out, smelt Steve Byrd's armpit, plugged in, and started.. He didn't replace Byrd, just joined in. He broke into 'Lucille', it was total bliss." Terry.

Eek. It's good! Right from the word go it's clear that this is a new band, and a new Gillan (or at least the old one revitalised!) Back is the raw, rough and ready sound which the IGB never had, and which Purple lost after 'Fireball'. The band haven't the technique or skill of Purple, but, by keeping things simple and doing straightforward songs with a minimum of solos they get away with it nicely. Compare this to 'Long Live..' or 'Trouble' and see how dated they sound.

After a horrible HM disco, Gillan appeared to the usual Towns build-up. The sound and mix was terrible. In 'Child In Time' Gillan sang his part nicely, but the pratting about the stage which followed from the bassist and guitarist killed me off. The guitarist did bugger-all all night, except play rhythm, and some noises to open 'Smoke..'. 'Abbey of Thelema' provided one of the few memorable moments, with some knock-out quiet singing. I don't know...I've been playing the album over and over, yet I still get nothing out of the same stuff live...

The band, officially now just ‘Gillan’ (but try telling promoters that!) did a three night stint at The Marquee, complete with ‘I Spent Christmas With Gillan’ balloons! Then in late Jan through to Feb, the group took on a wide-ranging UK Tour. The ‘Gillan’ album, which has been out in Japan for some months, wasn’t out to benefit from the tour though, because Ian couldn’t find a label to issue it! After some gigs in Spain, the group returned to the studios in London to complete some new tracks.

“Whitesnake were supporting Nazareth, and they drew only 2000 people – the hall will hold 5000. About a third of the crowd had only come for Whitesnake, and left after they’d been on. It opened with ‘Come On’ and ‘Might Just Take Your Life’, where Bernie sang Glenn’s old part. He’s not the greatest guitarist technically, or a very imaginative player, but it was good straight to the point stuff, and enjoyable. But ‘Mistreated’ has too many memories, and I think they should leave it alone. It’s not made for a fat chunky Les Paul sound, but the intricate strat solos we know and love.” Werner Gortz

After touring Germany in late January and February, as support, they played a one-off benefit gig at the Hammersmith Odeon on March 3rd. ‘The Time Is Right For Love’ came out as a single in the UK around the same time, with a live b-side, which is a foretaste for the next album. Personally I think it’s too early for a live album, look at the duffer Rainbow came up with.

Robin Trower has jacked in his last band, and is currently trying to form a new one, to get into a much heavier style of music, rather than his recent laid back US material. On December 11th 1978 he had a practise session at the Soundhouse rehearsal studio in London with the following line-up: - Robin Trower, Ian Paice, Paul Rodgers, Jim Dewer. Good eh? However Trower is trying to get Ainsley Dunbar in to drum, or Reg Isadore (his original drummer, which seems silly)

An abysmal compilation issued in a limited edition (though no one seems to know how limited) and on purple vinyl. Edited tracks from ’24 Carat Purple’, ‘Powerhouse’, and ‘Singles A’s & B’s’, yes folks, it’s a sampler for the compilation albums!