Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice has revealed that the late Ozzy Osbourne's final wish was to reunite the 'unholy trinity' of hard rock—Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, and Black Sabbath—for a joint tour that would have been a massive financial success. Paice, reflecting on Ozzy's legacy, described him as an astute businessman rather than the bat-chomping clown often portrayed.
Ozzy's Final Dream
Paice recalled a conversation with Ozzy in Zermatt, Switzerland, over New Year's Eve. 'We're sitting with a drink at the bar and he said, "what we gotta do is 'Zeppelin, 'Sabbath and 'Purple, do a road tour together." He said we'd only need to do it once, "We could all go home and count the money." And he was right. But that never happened because it just couldn't. But it's a wonderful idea, he wasn't a dumb man Ozzy,' Paice told the Daily Star.
Deep Purple's Enduring Legacy
Deep Purple, known for hits like 'Smoke on the Water,' have outlasted their peers with their 24th album 'Splat!' out now. Despite their longevity, frontman Ian Gillan feels the band doesn't get the same respect as Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath. 'We were mates with all of them, obviously, and we've known them since the beginning,' Gillan said. 'As for legacy, Purple do alright. We've stuck to our guns, and I think that gives a certain amount of respect. And we keep coming back for more, no matter how punch drunk we are.'
Insanity of Early Days
Both Paice and Gillan shared insights into the band's early days, marked by 'deafening decibels, volatile band chemistry and endless parties.' Gillan described the era as 'insane' but noted that the true stories are too personal or tragic to share. 'It’s little moments of total insanity. Some of which should never reach the light of day, because they're so deeply personal and some of them tragic,' he said. Paice added, 'Well, it's all true and it only scratches the surface. I mean, the best stories on rock 'n' roll from that period can never be told, right?'
Gillan's Brief Stint with Black Sabbath
Gillan also recalled his brief tenure as frontman of Black Sabbath in 1983, calling it 'the longest party I ever went to.' He described camping outside Manor Studios to avoid the chaos indoors: 'I didn't sleep in the house at all during the session. I got my tent out and I slept outside. It was too dangerous indoors, and too smelly.'
Deep Purple's Unique Sound
Paice offered a philosophical take on the band's standing among rock greats. 'Zeppelin focussed on American blues and they British-ified it, made it harder, and made some great records. 'Sabbath went another direction, very brutal. 'Purple was a little more niche. You had to want to get into what was being played, because with Gillan's lyrics, and some of the musicality, 'Purple was at a different level. And that won't appeal to everybody.'
Deep Purple will tour the UK in November 2024.
