Don't expect Jon Lord back in Deep Purple anytime soon.
Lord recently told Britain's Classic Rock magazine that he didn't see much of a chance that there would be a reunion of Deep Purple's MKIII lineup.
The history of Deep Purple is fraught with numerous lineup changes over the years which fans have taken to identifying using a "Mark" system. Mark I (MKI) lasted for just over a year, producing three albums and hits like Hush and Kentucky Woman. MKII went from 1969 to 1973, the era of their classic Smoke on the Water. MKIII ran 1973 to 1975 with David Coverdale, Ritchie Blackmore, Glenn Hughes, Ian Price and Lord, producing the albums Burn and Stormbringer.
It's this third lineup, which brought in Coverdale for Ian Gillian and Hughes for Roger Glover, to which Lord is referring, saying that there are concerns with other projects and the general condition of the members.
"I think it’s a dream too far," says the great keyboard player. "I know a lot of people would like it to happen, but it would have to have Ian Paice involved, and right now he’s committed to the current Purple line-up. And I know they are planning a new studio album, as well as more touring.
"I got an email from David recently, and it seems Glenn and Ritchie might be into it, although I don’t know how Glenn feels now, with Black Country Communion happening. Yes, I would love to play with Ritchie again, but don’t read anything into that as far as MKIII is concerned.
"I must admit I’d also have a concern or two about David’s voice."
