Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan is planning to take a cue from KISS should Deep Purple ever get inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – because he refuses to play with former guitarist Ritchie Blackmore.
KISS founders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons pulled out of a Hall of Fame set in April (14) after they were informed that current bandmates Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer would not be honored alongside former colleagues Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, and singer Gillan insists he’ll follow their example if Blackmore’s replacement, Steve Morse, isn’t included in what many fans think is a long overdue induction.
Gillan says, “It would be unconscionable to think about bringing Ritchie in. I don’t have an issue with Ritchie, nor does anyone. I’ve been in touch with Ritchie recently and everything’s cool, so there’s no bitter, personal problem. We’re too old for that and everything’s in the past, but no. That would be out of the question. This is the longest that any lineup has ever been together in this band.”
Blackmore left Deep Purple in 1993 and Morse has been the band’s guitarist ever since.
source: WENN via Contactmusic
66 Responses
The whole Kiss thing was so UN-rock n roll. I hope Deep Purple just keeps it cool, I don’t need them to play, but they need to be in there to represent what the RRHOF should be, and not what it is now.
Ian gets all excited that Purple FINALLY gets Inducted after all these years to the Hall of Fame.. and then BAM a day later the RnRHOF says Hmm well like KISS we’re only going to induct the ORIGINAL members of DP !! LOL Ian has to step aside as Nick Simper and Rod Evans go up on the stage!
I would just like to see what Evans looks like these days. It seems like no one has seen him or heard from him since 1980.
I agree with a lot of eddie trunks views. But not all of them. Some might be, with all due respect going too far the other way. Like eddie says, its a SIN that thin lizzy never got more success here outside of boys are back. Should of could of would of etc. And I agree. But truth is they DIDN’T . I don’t want the hall of fame to put someone for something that should of happened but didn’t actually happen. To get lizzy in you have to really push the influence route. I understand kings x is another one that just seemed to always go under the radar . And yea im sorry they never quite could go above cult status . But I can’t justify them in hall because of what didn’t happen but some feel should of. And as far as legendary cult bands go slayer should go in before really just about any other cult band. I think slayer is a better cult band then deep purple is a classic hard rock band . What hurts Richie blackmore is that while he’s influential , so are so many others of his time period. So they almost cancel each other .
I agree. Thin Lizzy was always underrated for a very talented band. But I look at it this way, Queen got into the RRHoF and their last big hit in the United States came out in 1980. So by definition Thin Lizzy deserves a spot as well.
Nope, they potentize, the many great guitarists in the 60s and 70s all together shaped the sound and style of rock for all times to come. Blackmore being one of the most influential of all.
God what would it hurt having Blackmore play? These guys egos are insane. Kiss missed a huge marketing opportunity not playing with 4 originals in full makeup. Could of done a full kiss show at the end and set off a real farewell tour. The current kiss lineup is horrible.
Rod Evans and Nick Simper – friggin classic…lol!!
Nice to see that RB and IG are on talking terms at least….