Toronto, Canada, Nov. 20 by Glen Miller

After an 11-year wait, Nov. 20 finally came - most importantly to us diehard fans who came adorned in our DP wear, ready to have our senses assaulted for the first date of the mini-North American tour. In short, as you have read in all the other Toronto show reviews, this band was, and is, just awesome in their ability to crank out music with so much vigor.

The musicianship was nothing less than of crackerjack fare ‹ and I felt like there wasnıt a more unified band that played better that night on the planet and with so much emotion than Deep Purple. The longtime fans know what Iım talking about.

To be right up in front of the stage and getting the closest view of a band that Iıve been listening to and raving about for 26 years is an overwhelming experience.

From 10:45 p.m. to 12:45 a.m., most of us were just singing and grooving the night away - pumping the band to greater heights, Iım sure.

Ian Gillan was amazing. I thought he sang brilliantly with only the rare strain of the vocal chords to these ears. The man simply gives it, leaves it, screams it, sweats it and executes it to the max on stage. If that isnıt what good singing is all about, then I donıt know what is.

I heard Roger Glover once say he didnıt think he was a very good bass player. I donıt know how many people were talking about how blown away they were with his timing and the way he executes all those pounding lines. Brilliant. And what can I say about a guy who handed me half of his Heineken during the show. Thanks, Rog - perfect timing for a thirsty soul!

Jon Lord - well, please, the man is a genius. He can play anything and has to be one of the greatest improvisational players you can ever see on a stage - just ask Steve Morse for a reference.

Morse was an accomplished player long before he arrived in Purple and you can see why he belongs and has earned our respect within the Purple camp. His solo on Cascades speaks volumes about his originality, not to mention all those other neat licks he throws into the Purple catalogue. Deserving of a salute from this fan, who is a huge Blackmore admirer.

Ian Paice - turn everything else off - let him hit the skins and from a mile away you know who is drumming. There are not too many backbeat bangers who truly have a signature sound. From start to finish, heıs simply amazing to watch in how he emits power with speed from those deft manoeuvres.

And after all that, then to spend two hours backstage with the band and have good conversation reciprocated, well, itıs a dream come true for this fan and all the other great supporters who I finally got to hang out with and live and breathe Purple for a day. In the Purple fan Hall of Fame - Carl Kottmeier, Jim Corrigan, John Nash, and all the other fans I spoke to - thanks for the memories. Letıs talk it and rock it again.

And a very special thanks to Bruce Payne, who didnıt forget a little favor from a few months ago. Youıll never know how much it all meant.

Rock on, people.
Glen Miller

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