Newsgroups: alt.music.deep-purple
Subject: DP in Chicago
From: whitmd@email.uc.edu (Mark D. White)
Date: Mon, 2 Dec 1996 12:33:23 GMT

Well, back home and the ears finally stopped ringing! Yes, I survived my encounter with DP (3/5 of them at least!).

Since others will probably give a detailed review of the show, I'll just comment briefly. Ian Paice is GOD! I always liked his drum solos on tape, but hearing it in person is a completely different experience. I couldn't see the fellow because of our seats, but I could hear him LOUD and clear! The entire band was having a blast, and Roger and Steve would synchronize their guitar necks a la Stanley and Frehley - we got a kick out of that. And Speed King - probably the best I've ever heard.

After the show, Collin O'Brien, Mark Cantin, my wife and I went backstage to meet the band (hopefully). (My sincerest apologies (and my wife's) to Secil Kacar and her boyfriend, who didn't get backstage - we hope you get to when you see them in Columbus and Akron.) Anyway, there were about 30 people in the press room, and Steve was the first DP (Deity-like Person) to make an appearance. He was terrific, answering questions about everything from guitar technique to Kansas to soloing style to air flight. He must've been there almost an hour, signing many autographs and having pictures taken. Great guy.

Then Roger came back, and everyone was just in awe - here was rock history incarnate. And he was the most humble guy! He knew many of us by name, and talked to us about amdp and e-mail for the longest time. I think Collin embarrassed him a bit when he asked if he and Steve might engage in "simultaneous improvisation" along the lines of Steve and Dave LaRue, the SMB bassist. Roger said he could never play what Dave plays - "sure you could" - "no I couldn't" - "sure you could" and so on. Roger was great, and he made sure to shake all our hands and say thanks again before he left.

Finally, before Roger left, Ian Gillan showed up, and he must have thought I was going to tackle him the way I ran up to him the second I saw him. I think he was a bit tired but he was still as gracious as could be. I told him he was the greatest singer ever, in every band he was in - what else was I going to say? I'm sure he's heard it a million times before, but he deserves it if anybody does (reading this, JLT?).

Unfortunately, Jon and Ian P didn't show up, but meeting Ian G, Roger and Steve was a thrill nonetheless. I got pictures with all three guys, I got all three autographs on my Purpendicular CD foldout, and Ian signed my "Child in Time" book, about which everybody asked where I got. Collin ran up to the dressing room to see if Jon and Ian were about, but they had already left. So, having met two of my heroes (and one of my up-and-coming heroes) and a lot of new good friends (Collin, Mark, Secil and boyfriend), I left the Rosemont Horizon a happy man (if not a little bit wet!).

That's my story...hope all of you that see DP soon enjoy it as much as we did!

Mark D. White
Cincinnati, OH

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