Over the past year, Planet Rock have been collecting signatures ona pair of KEF Reference Model 205/2 speakers to raise money for Childline Rocks. They're worth around £6000 brand new, but these special editions have been adorned by more than 30 signatures by rock artists, including Ian Gillan, Roger Glover and Don AIrey.

For full details viist planetrock.com. The auction (on eBay) finishes on 8th July.

MK#700234

The Purple Turtle in Camden, London hosted a rock show on 17th March 2012, including a set from Mick Underwood's Glory Road. The band features Rob Cooksley (v) Gary Summers (b) Roy Shipston (k) Jeff Summers (g) and ex Gillan drummer Mick Underwood. The set promised tracks from Mick's career in Gillan, Quatermass and Peace, plus a few surprises.

Glory Road played again at Merton Manor Club, South Wimbledon, London, on 7th April. Peter Mair reports that it was "a very enjoyable evening of mainly Gillan classics. I hope Mick's new venture gets the attention it deserves. So good to hear these classics again played by a top notch band. The crowd numbered perhaps 60 / 70 tops but that didn't prevent everyone having a jolly good night out! Set list as follows to the best of my recollection: Trouble / Sleeping on the Job / She Tears Me Down / Living for the City / MAD / [Quartermass number I wasn't familiar with] / Mr Universe / Glory Road (new song) / Vengeance / On the Rocks / Whole lotta Love ~ Drum solo. Encore: New Orleans."

The band have a new website at mickunderwoodsgloryroad.com which mentions a new UK show at The Peel, Kingston, on 16th June.

TS#7002322

Black Country Communion guitarist Joe Bonamassa's new studio album “Driving Towards The Daylight” will be released in the UK on Monday 21st May by Provogue Records.

Produced by Kevin Shirley, the album reportedly highlights "Bonamassa’s signature style of blues, roots, and rock & roll". Musicians on the album include Aerosmith's Brad Whitford, ex Hughes Thrall man Pat Thrall, and ex Beach Boy Blondie Chaplin on guitar, with Anton Figg on drums (who has previously played sessions for Blackmore's Night).

“Driving Towards The Daylight” includes five Bonamassa-penned originals, and Bernie Marsden's "A Place In My Heart". On the album closer, Australian rock singer Jimmy Barnes sings lead vocals on his 1987 hit "Too Much Ain't Enough Love".

Stuart Hamilton#700232

Ian Gillan, and Glenn Hughes are reported to be among a cast of rock stars who have signed up to be part of an upcoming Ronnie James Dio tribute album which is being assembled by the singer's widow and long-time manager Wendy Dio.

Other musicians include Rob Halford from Judas Priest, Lemmy Kilmister from Motorhead, Alice Cooper and Dave Grohl from Nirvana / Foo Fighters.

MK#700230

Jeff Cramer recently interviewed bassist Greg Smith about his time with Rainbow during the Stranger In Us All era, Joe Lynn Turner's band, and most recently Over The Rainbow.

The link is/jeffcramer.blogspot.com/2011/12

See also the DPAS rock family trees : Rainbow & Joe Lynn Turner

DB#700229

Seven live tracks have appeared on YouTube featuring the 1977 incarnation of ex-Family vocalist Roger Chapman's band Streetwalkers. The tracks feature David Dowle on drums and Brain Johnstone on Keyboards, both of whom joined Whitesnake for their debut "back to the roots" tour in 1978.

For more on early Whitesnake, see our Whitesnake family tree.

(The sleeve pictured on the left is the Streetwalkers 1977 album "Vicious But Fair", featuring David Dowle and Brian Johnstone)

NY#700211

Latter-day Rainbow vocalist Doogie White is due to release a solo album through Metal Mind Productions on 24th October 2011.The album carries the fabulously confusing name "As Yet Untitled', and features a glut of guest musicians plucked from the Deep Purple family tree; including Thomas Broman (ex Glenn Hughes band) on drums, Derek Sherinian (Black Country Communion) and Tony Carey (ex Rainbow) on keyboards, and Neil Murray (ex Whitesnake) and Greg Smith (ex Rainbow) on bass.

SH#700210
(www.stuarthamilton.co.uk)

Bob Nalbandian's latest Shockwaves/HardRadio podcast (#51) includes an interview with Rainbow's "Down To Earth" era vocailst Graham Bonnet, who is back in action with a brand new version of Alcatrazz.

The podcast is available to download from HardRadio.com.

MR#7002082

We are sad to report the death of guitarist Gary Moore, who passed away in his sleep during the early hours of Sunday 6th February.

Gary Moore played with a number of Deep Purple related musicians, including Ian Paice, Glenn Hughes, Don Airey, Neil Murray, Jimmy Bain, Craig Gruber, Bob Daisley and Tommy Aldridge. For more details see the Gary Moore page on our Deep Purple Family Tree.

The obituary at The Guardian newspaper site.

There's a mention on the DBB blog too.

DB#7002081

The AOR Heaven label have signed ED3N. a band formed in 2010 by ex-Elf, Rainbow, and Gary Moore bassist Craig Gruber. As you can see, the band's artwork is more than a little reminiscent of the Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow album.

The other members are vocalist Jeff Fenholt, whose sang on Black Sabbath's “Seventh Star” sessions before Glenn Hughes was brought in, Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio ,Heaven & Hell, Big Noize) on drums and Rowan Robertson (Dio) on guitars. ED3N's first album is due out May 2011 through AOR Heaven in Europe with a tour planned for June.

http://www.myspace.com/edenbandofficial.

SH#700207

Graham Bonnet is doing vocals on four tracks from an upcoming fanstasy / rock /heavy metal opera project combining music and animation. Interestingly the cover art is by Ken Kelly, who did the Rainbow Rising sleeve art. This time he's done a buxom mermaid...

The first CD is out now and can be bought direct from the makers. You can read more and listen to tracks at the website lyraka.com

SR#7002063 (Thanks to Andy DiGelsomina for the news.)

(photo: Simon Robinson)

Steve Morse's Dixie Dregs bandmate T.Lavitz sadly passed away on the night of 7 October 2010. Lavitz was first asked to join the Dixie Dregs in 1979, and first album with the band was "Dregs Of The Earth" in 1980. He continued to play with them right through to their most recent studio album "Full Circle" (1994) and the live DVD "Sects Dregs & Rock'n Roll" / "Cruise Control" from 2002.

or more info visit www.tlavitz.net

NY#700207

There is an authorised photo book on Ronnie Dio due out in the Autumn,  which has some great material in. It is approved by Wendy Dio and a  donation from each copy sold will go to the Stand Up & Shout fund.

This can now be preordered from DPAS Mailorder and you can see a pre-production image at the DPAS blog.

.

TS#7002064

(photo: Alan Perry)

The official soundtrack to The Wolves of Willoughby Chase is becoming available on CD again. This was a 1989 film of a 1962 novel, and the music was all written and performed by Colin Towns. It was last available back in 1995. 20 tracks.

Due October 2010, it can be preordered at dpas mailorder

TS#7002065

Joe Satriani's 14th studio album “Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards” is due to be released in the UK on 4th October by Epic records. The album release dovetails Satch’s autumn UK tour, which kicks off on 17th October at the Manchester Apollo. .

MR#7002064 (with thenks to Peter Noble and Will Taylor)

Another attempt at breaking the record for numbers playing "Smoke On The Water" is happenning on August 8th at the "Festival of Friends" music festival in Hamilton, Ontario Canada. Organizers of 'Make It 1803' are hoping for a record number. The former conductor of the Hamilton Philharmonic is on the front page of the local newspaper learning the riff.

You can pre-register at www.makeit1803.com and register on site at 12pm. The guitar playing begins at 2pm.

MR#700215, with thanks to Dave Binnie

GMT, featuring ex Gillan members John McCoy and Bernie Torme along with drummer Robin Guy, are playing their first UK shows since the release of studio album 'Evil Twin' in November 2008.

DPAS live review: GMT, DNE, Wakefield, 10th July 2009

For more info visit www.gmtrocks.com

TS#7002121

The first show of Graham Bonnet's Brazilian tour was in Santos on July 2nd. According to our correspondent Roberto Souza, Graham had been receiving treatment for a throat infection but still managed to put absolutely everything into his performance (see the photo opposite!) After only one hour's rehearsal time with his Brazilian backing band Graham said that the Santos show would be a "rehearsal concert", but it seems that everyone concerned did a great job, and an estimated crowd of 500 thoroughly enjoyed the show. There are two further shows in July (see the news item below for details).

The Santos set list was: Eyes of The World (Rainbow) / God Blessed Video (Alcatrazz) / Desert Song (MSG) Bad Girl (Rainbow) / Stargazer(Rainbow) / Will You be Home Tonight (Alcatrazz)/ Love´s no Friend ( Rainbow) / Since You´ve Been Gone (Rainbow) / All Night Long (Rainbow) / Lost in Hollywood (Rainbow). Encore: Night Games( solo).

DB#700214 ((with thanks to Roberto Souza) Photo: Roberto Souza

Ex Rainbow and MSG singer Graham Bonet will be making its first Brazilian tour in July 2009, backed by the 'Paulo Zinner Orchestra', who have apparently played alongside Ian Paice in 2003.

Shows are lined up for Santos (July 2nd), Araraquara (July 10th) and São Paulo (July 11th).

DB#700213

(with thanks to Milton Purple and www.bonnetrocks.com )

Heaven & Hell with our Ronnie are touring in support of their new  studio album The Devil You Know during June, July and August, though just European festivals. August is USA. You can see the full date list on www.black-sabbath.com.

If you don't fancy risking the weather, Rockpalast (German TV) are filming the show in Bonn and will air this on July 13 at 00.25h. in the morning (CET).

MR#700210

The much delayed DVD of the Tony Ashton show at Abbey Road in 2000 is finally out on DVD. It has twenty two tracks, including all the PAL and Company Of Snakes performance, as well the three track Tony Ashton set, and Pete York / Eddie Hardin's set. A few of the opening acts are missing, but all the important stuff is here. It's been done as a combined DVD / CD package, so you also get the same set on a 2xCD, all in a thick digipak. Thanks to Hans Peter Jenssen for the heads up.

It's out now - apologies for the lack of warning, but there wasn't any! Anyone who has this on back-order - Ann will be contacting you right away.

(By they way that f**k ugly 'zero' logo on the front is the latest legal demand imposed on DVD makers by the German government. They came up with this useless certificate scheme a couple of years ago to make money - you can't sell a DVD in Germany without it, and have to pay for it - but at least the logo could be on the back. Now they've said it has to be bigger and placed on the front!)

SR#700209

Cozy Powell's two rare solo albums Octopuss and Tilt are out on CD in the UK for the first time later this month - as far as we know they've only been available as pricey Japanese imports before. Both albums featured an array of superstar guests - with Deep Purple connections such as Neil Murray, Bernie Marsden, and Don Airey on 1981's Tilt, and fellow Whitesnake members Jon Lord, Mel Galley and Colin Hodgkinson on Octopuss, issued in 1983. Both are straight with no bonus tracks.

Thanks to Nick Robinson.

Both can be pre-ordered from DPASMailorder.

MR#700208

Bernie Marsden is due to play a show at Le Creusot Blues Festival in Burgundy on June 26th (his first French show in twenty years). He will be performing a tribute to Rory Gallagher (Rory would have been 60 this year) , with a band including two members of Rory's last line-up - David Levy on bass, and Richard Newman on drums.

DB#700207

(Thanks to Nathalie Milliet for the news)

As previously reported, a movie version of the Joe Meek play 'Telstar' was begun in August 2007. Meek's studio and Mrs. Shenton's shop were been recreated further along Holloway Road, complete with the neighbouring bank. (see the DPAS A-Z for photos of the original premises)

Con O'Neill reprises his role as Joe Meek. The cast includes Kevin Spacey as Major Banks, Pam Ferris as Mrs. Violet Shenton, Rita Tushingham as "Essex Medium", Martine McCutcheon as "Lady Victim", Joan Hodges (wife of Chas) as Biddy Meek (Joe's mother), and David Hayler as John Peel. Chas Hodges has a cameo role as Mr. Brolin Jess, Conrad plays Larry Parnes, Carl Barat (The Libertines) plays Gene Vincent, Justin Hawkins (The Darkness) plays Screaming Lord Sutch, Jon Lee (S Club 7) plays Billy Fury (The Tornados were his backing band). Robbie Duke (aka Patrick Pink), who was at 304 Holloway Road when the fatal shootings happened (over 40 years ago now), is amongst the extras. Ritchie Blackmore is played by Matthew Baynton. David Hayler played RB (with just two or three lines) in the stage version.

Nick Moran is the director and also plays Alex Meek. The two act play (based in Meek's studio) was largely comedic for the first act but with the second act being Meek's dark descent into paranoia and pils.

Telstar The Movie is due to open in UK cinemas on June 19th 2009. www.telstarthemovie.co.uk/

NY#7001952

The follow up studio album to Guy McCoy Torme's (GMT) debut 'Bitter & Twisted' was released in the UK on November 17th 2008. 'Evil Twin' features ten tracks, and in their own words "whether you like the Bull-in-a-China-Shop approach, or the Softly-Softly-Catchy-Bull-in-a-China-Shop approach.... Evil Twin caters for all."

In addition to John McCoy and Bernie Torme, the ex Gillan quotient is brought to three by the guest appearance of keyboard player Colin Towns.    

DB#7002021

Ex Rainbow vocalist Doogie White has joined a reformed version of NWOBHM band Tank. (once fronted by ex Damned bassist / vocalist Algy Ward). Other personnel include bassist Chris Dale, guitarists Mick Tucker and Chris Evans, and original drummer Mark Brabbs.

In addition, on December 5th Doogie played a show at the Texas Necropolis club in Athens, singing mainly Rainbow material, but also including two of the Deep Purple tracks which he performed during his Rainbow days. The full set list: - Kill The King / Wolf To The Moon / Cold Hearted Woman / When The Hammer Falls / Razor Eater / Hunting Humans / The Evil That Men Do / Mistreated / Rulers Of World / Tarot Woman / Temple Of The King / Gates Of Babylon / Ariel / Black Masquerade / Hall Of The Mountain King. Encores: Stargazer / Perfect Strangers / Burn. The show finished at 3.30am!

DB #700208 (with thanks to Stuart Hamilton and Anestis Ladopoulos)

Gillan collaborator and guitarist Steve Morris sees the third Shadowman album out now. Ghost In The Mirror is available via  dpas mailorder. Other musicians on the album include Chris Childs and Harry James from Thunder.

Review DTB 60.

MK#700207

The famous record collector's store Beanos in Croydon is closing after some thirty years. They shut their top two floors two years ago (which had a small milk shake bar and even a tiny cinema showing rock films when we last visited - and scored our 1969 Concerto programme) and rented them out to try and keep the site viable, but the downturn in sales of late has been the final straw. The store is currently having a big sale and will close at Christmas.

SR#700205 (Thanks to Vince Chong for the news) (photo: Istvanski)

Ex Rainbow vocalist has been lined up to front Deep Purple tribute act Demon's Eye for two European shows in November. As well as Deep Purple classics, they will also be performing a couple of Rainbow songs in the shows. The dates are:

2008-11-28 Demon's Eye featuring Doogie White Spirit Of 66 -http://www.spiritof66.be - Verviers - Belgium (Tickets: http://www.spiritof66.be/ticketsboo.html)

2008-11-29 Demon's Eye featuring Doogie White - Blues Garage (http://www.bluesgarage.de) - Hannover-Isernhagen - Germany (Tickets: http://www.bluesgarage.de/index.php?seite=reservierungen)

Demon's Eye have previously played shows with Ian Paice guesting on drums.

MK#700204 (with thanks to Andree Schneider)

Regular www.deep-purple.net contributor Stuart Hamilton is presenting a radio special on Atomic Rooster offshoot bands on GetReadyTo Rock radio on Sunday, November 23rd at 8pm GMT. Stuart plans to cover artists such as Bullet / Hard Stuff (featuring Ian Gillan Band bassist John Gustafson) who supported Deep Purple on their 1971UK Fireball tour and later released two albums on Purple Records, Leafhound, John McCoy, and Bernie Torme, among others.

SH/DB#700203

Issue 59 looks as if it will be another 80 page Deep Purple-fest. It includes the regular news round-up of the band and members old and new, letters, question and answer pages, and a bumper review section to catch up and log all the latest releases from the Book, CD and DVD scenes. There's a special section of Mk 1 miscellany to help celebrate the band's 40th anniversary (and they're also fittingly on the cover), along with a host of retro features, looking at (amongst other things) award and presentation discs, the Fireball sound FX, the original DPAS newsletters from 1974/5, a newly found flyer for the Mk 2 Bedford gig, David Coverdale in handcuffs (with pictures!) and loads more.

All UK copies shipped by Friday 24; EU and rest of worldcopies of DTB ship Monday 27/Tuesday 28.

"I wouldn't say the new magazine is heavy, but reader Mike Galway  says it came through his letterbox, went through the floor and cut  him a new cellar. So it's official, not only a must-have read, but  DTB also puts up the value of your property!"

Book a day or two off work now. It will be accompanied by a brand-new full DPAS Mailorder 12 page catalogue. The mail-out does take a few days, and we will let you know when all copies have been mailed. There is still time to renew subscriptions if yours has lapsed, but as the address labels have all been printed, late renewals will have to wait until the main mailing has gone.

TS/MM#7001935

The biopic of Joe Meek opens in London next month on Sat 25 October 2008 at the ODEON WEST END 1. The film covers Meek's life-story and includes scenes with Ritchie Blackmore and The Outlaws.

The biopic about producer Joe Meek, titled A Life In The Death Of Joe Meek, premiered in America at the 25th Reel Music Film Festival, January 24th 2008 in Portland, and was also screened as part of the Glasgow Film Festival on February 24th.

NY#700201

Whitesnake historians might be interested in two very rare albums by Tramline, reissued on CD later this month. This was Micky Moody's first, well regarded blues rock band, signed to Island at the same time as Free. Issued in 1968 and 1969, he was joined by Back Door bassist Colin Hodgkinson on the second (and last) album. (Colin of course later played alongside Moody in Whitesnake). Micky has been interviewed at length for the liner notes.

Both can be found at dpas mailorder.

MR#700200

The death of Ben Nisbet, Managing Director of Feldmans music publishers for many years back in the 60s and 70s, has just been announced. Nisbet was one of the people involved at an early stage in the formation of Deep Purple, as Derek Lawrence suggested he publish the band. In turn Nisbet put the embryonic team in touch with Arthur 'Artie' Mogul (who died in November 2004 - DTB57) and Roy Silver (died October 2005 - DTB 58) at Tetragrammaton. Nisbet was also important in the staging of the Concerto in 1969, bringing Malcolm Arnold into the team.

A Tribute to Ben Nisbet, by Tony Edwards new

SR#7002011

Mel Galley died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday July 1st at his home, aged 60. He'd spoken with Glenn Hughes just the week before to say his farewell. “He gave me the inspiration and foundation to a life beyond my wildest dreams - he gave me hope, laughter and wisdom. His legacy is safe with me, from Coast To Coast." The local newspaper The Express & Star covered the news and you can read a little more of this here. The paper is also hosting a tribute page linked from their article.

"Tributes flowed in today to Cannock guitarist Mel Galley, of Whitesnake and Trapeze, who has died of cancer aged 60. The former Whitesnake and Trapeze songwriter and guitar star was given only weeks to live in February, but stated his determination to enjoy life to the end and use the time to say goodbye to all his friends. “No negativity” was his watchword to anyone who appeared to him even the slightest bit saddened at his plight. Galley slipped quietly away at his home in Bank Street, Heath Hayes, nursed by his wife Annette, having said a last goodbye to his Trapeze co-star Glenn Hughes a week ago. Hughes, formerly of Deep Purple, said today: “He was my oldest, closest friend, bandmate and brother. He gave me the inspiration and foundation to a life beyond my wildest dreams - he gave me hope, laughter and wisdom. His legacy is safe with me, from Coast To Coast.” Justin Hayward, with whom Mel played in The Blue Jays, said: “Mel’s quiet, laconic humour and infectious smile brought real warmth into my life. His contribution as a musician and friend was immeasurable, as it was in the Blue Jays touring band of the mid-seventies. Bass player John Lodge, also of the Moody Blues and Blue Jays, said: “From our first recording sessions together, his enthusiasm and his passion shone through, and it was a true pleasure to be part of his life. His songwriting and his melodious rock guitar playing will be his legacy." www.expressandstar.com

SR#7002001 (click the picture above right for an extremely cool live shot of Mel with Trapeze)

Rolling Stone magazine in America has compiled a list of the 100 greatest guitar tracks of all time. And managed not to include a single one by Deep Purple. That'll teach them not to be photographed by Annie Liebovitz!

SR#700197 (Thanks to Damian Phelan)

dpas online have just added several issues of the nineties Deep Purple Forever magazine to the catalogue.

"We used to sell these many years ago, but they've not been available for ages. We came across a bundle in the warehouse recently. There are only a few of each left, but they're popular due to the great colour covers which magazine collectors will appreciate. Not all the issues are in stock. Editor Mike Eriksson has scoured his log cabin and can't find any more, so once these have gone, they're gone."

DB#700196

Original industrial metal merchants Ministry are promising an album of covers for their next release, and this will include Space Truckin'. Should be interesting!

SR#700191 (with thanks to Vince Chonf for the info)

London's Astoria Theatre, venue for Deep Purple's first show of the 2006 Rapture Of The Deep tour, is due to be demolished. The historic Victorian music-hall's demise has been confirmed, with mayor Ken Livingstone promising a 'better' replacement venue, even though there has been some sentiment expressed online that a cramped and sweaty venue is not necessarily a bad thing.

DPAS member Matthew Kean's take on the situation is that "While cramped and sweaty does have it's moments, the ridiculously tiny bar selling warm cans of lager for £4.50 a pop, the sticky floor, and the frequently indifferent sound quality all count against it. Having been there many times, I have to say it's no great loss, and that Shepherd's Bush Empire (especially) and the Forum both have a lot more going for them."

TS#700189

Sandra Ashton tells us there is a new website devoted to Tony Ashton's artwork, which includes original work for sale.

You can log on to this at www.tonyashtonart.com

DB#700185

Darker Than Blue Magazine enters the digital era big-time with an experimental download copy in January. There have been a lot of technical hurdles to overcome, but we're now testing it out. At first we'll just do one copy to see what sort of interest there is, and if it finds a market more will follow. To me there's no substitute for a printed magazine, and this will continue, but I appreciate that with the escalating postage costs, particularly abroad, some fans may find this a cost-effective solution.

You'll be able to download it to read on a computer or print out your own personal copy. You can read more about these developments here, and we'll let you know when it goes live. More...

SR#700183

The play Telstar about Joe Meek is now being turned into a film. Filming is in August in London.

NY#700189

The archives of the Deep Purple Appreciation Society are stuffed with interviews given by band members and associated personnel over forty years or more, both published and unpublished, on tape, in books and magazines. With space in Darker Than Blue magazine limited, we've decided to publish a new specialist magazine reproducing a selection of this material in its original context. It will be in black and white, approx 20 pages. There will be no attempt at topicality, just a simple aim to produce an eclectic and sometimes off the wall selection.

Issue One is almost ready and features interviews with David Coverdale, Jimmy Bain, Ritchie Blackmore, Cozy Powell, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Tommy Bolin, Jon Lord, Glenn Hughes, Steve Morse and ... Magnet. Price and publishing date will be announced in August.

SR#700189

The 40th anniversary of producer Joe Meek's death in February is being marked by a number of new CD releases. Blackmore collectors will be most interested in a new HEINZ CD: JUST LIKE EDDIE - THE ANTHOLOGY. This 2CD set includes everything Heinz ever recorded, including three previously unreleased tracks. Blackmore played on Heinz's only album included here as well. The CD is expected in February and can be ordered via dpas online.

Three other CDs include Joe Meek's Boys, The Best Of Meek's Instrumentals (which may include Blackmore tracks, we're awaiting details), and the EP Collection, with 12 CD sized reproduction EPs in their original sleeves. This includes the rare Heinz EP Live It Up (the tracks are also on the Anthology). dpas online can specially order this for those who want it. RPM are also planning a collection of Meek rarities.

MR#700175 (Thanks to Roger Dopson)