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UK reviews 2002 (rescheduled)
 

Fitting celebration

It's happened, Jon's last gig is over.

For those interested in the 'mechanics' of the evening, WABMC was moved to slot in after Perfect Strangers which of course means that Jon played it tonight. Otherwise, the duetting and turn-taking with Don were the same as for all other dates (and rightly so). So, the last song ever that Jon plays as the sole keyboard player with Deep Purple is Hush.

The farewell, as you may imagine, was highly emotional. Embraces from each of the band, who then stood together arms linked all pointing at Jon whilst he almost shyly acknowledged the extended applause. However long this lasted for it will never be long enough, but eventually he waved his last wave and it was over.

I can't help feeling that I should be too sad to even think about typing this. After all, the thought that we have now actually reached, and passed, the point where we may never see him grace Purple again is almost too much to bear. However, in the context of Jon's retirement, the tour as a whole and tonight in particular was done so very very well indeed that it's impossible to be anything other than happy and grateful.

This was a truly fitting celebration, and I feel priviliged and humbled to have seen it.

Ian Nichols

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