Question time

• On Tuesday, 10 May 2005 IKEN. wrote:

  Dear Rog!!
  Your Site needs to be updated a BIT more often!!
  Shure,i know, you guys are touring the planet/solar system/universe,but still.......
  still,lot's of love to all in Deep Purple!!!!!
  (Both past and present members) :-)
  
  best regards
  Ake Nordh
  Stockholm
  SWEDEN!!!
  why no shows here this year?

  Hi Ake,
  
  Well said! I intend to do better. 2005 was supposed to be a year with some time off. Even so, we've been as busy as ever, recording and touring. I hope we'll be in Sweden again next year, but it is not up to us, it's all down to local promotors and our agent. We just go where they tell us.
  
  RG

• On Sunday, 08 May 2005 Dimitra-Greece wrote:

  hi ROGER!
  i do not know if you will ever give me an answer.what i want to ask you is why couldn't you stay as mk2 for ever...?what was the problem.
  thank you and hope to receive a reply from you.....
  love Dimitra

  Hi Dimitra,
  
  Things, people, clocks, situations, desires, bodies, minds, circumstances, personalities, underwear, the world... everything changes.
  
  RG

• On Sunday, 08 May 2005 J.T.McDonald wrote:

  Roger,
  What is the hardest part of being a musician, the band or the ex-wives?

  Hi J.T.
  
  Hope you're well. The hardest part? The ex-crew members!!
  
  RG

• On Wednesday, 04 May 2005 renata wrote:

  Describe in some words every member from the band:
  1.Ian Gillan
  2.Don Airey
  3.Ian Paice
  4.Steve Morse
  tell me also something about:
  Ritchie B., J.Lord, Coverdale,Hughes, Joe Lynn T., Satriani,Tommy Bolin (if you know something about him)
  Please don't give a short answer to a 13 years old girl who is waiting your answer
  like a kitten!!!!!!!!!
  Thank you.And sorry for my bad english.

  Dear kitten,
  
  Ian Gillan is a bit taller than I am, Don Airey has a lot of information that not many people know, Ian Paice likes food, Steve Morse is an expert on pizza, Ritchie Blackmore used to throw the javalin, Jon Lord never threw the javalin, David Coverdale wore glasses when he joined the band, Glenn Hughes now sometimes wears glasses, Joe Lynn Turner is from New Jersey, Joe Satriani likes noodles, Tommy Bolin often coloured his hair.
  
  RG

• On Wednesday, 01 September 2004 Jim Collins wrote:

  Hi Roger! I have a question I keep meaning to ask you, but other things always seem to come up. (Usually alcohol) :-) If I understand correctly, you were once working on a solo album tentatively called "The Eyes of Omega". You supposedly scrapped half an album of material and recorded "Elements" instead. Is this true, and if so, what happened to the recordings for the "Omega" album? Did you ever rework the songs into something else, or are they just in the can somewhere?
  
  All my best, Jim C.

  Hi Jim,
  
  Yes, you are correct, I did work on some songs that I abandoned before I adopted the concept idea. The Eyes of Omega was the alternative title for Elements. The Third Rings Watery Flow was originally going to be a song called Alice Nowhere until I decided that I couldn't sing it. I used that particular recording but there are still four half-finished recordings which reside somewhere in my dusty vaults. I listened to them a while ago and considered finished them but I am too busy with new songs. Maybe I'll listen to them again one day. They are fairly basic - Simon Phillips on drums, Mickey Lee Soule on piano and myself on bass, and with no vocals except for an occasional rough guide.
  
  RG

• On Thursday, 13 May 2004 Daniel Varga wrote:

  After this long time, do you still have the motivation and energy to play in Deep Purple?

  Hi Daniel,
  
  Apparently, I do.
  
  RG

• On Wednesday, 12 May 2004 Joe Safferson wrote:

  The following is a message I sent your website designer regarding one of your songs. I've since been informed by your webmaster that it is a misspelling... but it stills seems a bit of a stretch. Is it really true? Perhaps you would have an additional insight? Thanks:
  
  Hi...
  
  My name is Joe Safferson.
  
  Ever since I did my first search of my family name on the web, I've come up with the song title, "Safferson Dormouse and Lizzy Bee." At first, the only reference was on a Japanese release of the "Butterfly Ball" album owned by a collector in Japan who mentioned it on his web site. Of course, communication was very difficult I learned very little.
  
  I am not that familiar with Deep Purple... during the 70's I sort of dropped out musically, so please don't take offense. Anyway, I'd love to find a way to hear this song and find out what relation it might have to my family name, which is not at all common. I do know that I have relatives in England as my paternal grandfather emigrated from London to the US in the 1930's. However, much of the family remained in England, though I am not in touch.
  
  I know this is not the usual type of question a webmaster would normally receive. But each time I do a search, there it is near the top of the list of links. I remain very curious and would love to know the background on which the song was based. If you could shed some light on the subject, send a copy of the lyrics, whatever.... it would be appreciated.
  
  Regards,
  Joe Safferson
  

  Hi Joe,
  
  the song in question is saffron Dormouse and Lizzie Bee and it is part of a project of mine called The Butterfly Ball.
  
  RG

• On Monday, 10 May 2004 Kevin Trick wrote:

  Were are you?
  Hope everything is getting better.
  if you need anything let me know.

  Hi Kevin,
  
  I never really know where I am or who I were, but it is betting better. Thanks for your kind offer, a new Mac would be good. ;-)
  
  RG

• On Saturday, 24 April 2004 Barry from AZ USA wrote:

  Roger,
  I seen you in Phoenix, it was the best Purple show ever. I wrote a review for the highway star. I had purchased a poster of Purple in front of the San Francisco bridge signed by the whole group. Are the autographs real or a print? Why did you not use the Rick on Smoke ?

  Hi Barry,
  
  the autographs are real, I can vouch for that. I stopped playing the Rick because it caught a cold. It's now recovered and maybe I'll use it again.
  
  RG

• On Sunday, 18 April 2004 Eddie Cameron wrote:

  Hi Roger,
  I'm thinking of getting a John Diggins' Jay Dee bass. Have you had any experience in playing or owning one?
  
  When recording bass in the studio, do you combine DI with close Mike' recording & mix the sounds or do you favour one over the other and do you sometimes use a slight Reverb to give the Bass a live feel?
  
  Thank you for your feedback on these points & I promise I will never instigate the chanting of Black Night over your Bass solo when you play Plymouth UK again. So sorry, I got carried away!
  
  Cheers Eddie from 'Backlash'

  Hi Eddie,
  
  No idea about that particular bass, sorry. I usually mix DI with amp in the studio but no, I don't put reverb on it, or much else, come to that, just some compression on the mix.
  
  RG

• On Wednesday, 14 April 2004 Georgi wrote:

  Hello Roger,
  
  this is one of the 2 art students who did Deep Purple's lion in Singapore, which you named 'Maybeiamaleo' (but I only found out afterward from the news report. oops.) I didn't know that you're a visual artist too- would you guys have painted the lion on your own if you had the time? (Anyway, I hope you guys liked it) I enjoyed your concert at Fort Canning immensely! (it was my first rock concert- and the first time I heard the songs from your older albums --err, other than Smoke on the Water, so I couldn't really sing along.)
  
  Cheerios,
  Georgi

  Hi Georgi,
  
  Yes, I believe I would have loved to have painted it myself, given the time. That's always the problem. Thanks for helping us out.
  
  RG

• On Saturday, 10 April 2004 Steve Nulty wrote:

  Hello Roger,
  
  I have listened to your music since my older brother tricked me into believing that he had bought me the Osmonds Crazy Horses LP for Christmas, only to find that it was Fireball. I was about 14 then, and had not even heard of Deep Purple. I think Lars Ulrich had a similar experience and this inspired him become a musician. I have always been inspired by the music, and regarded the band in whatever form as a trusty old friend that you could turn to. Thanks for the inspiration.
  
  Anyway, a question, who were your early influences, and what inspired you to take up music? Was there a defining moment when you said, "That's it I need to take up music"?
  
  Looking forward to seeing you in Manchester in November.
  
  Regards
  
  Steve

  Hi Steve,
  
  I just loved skiffle music when I heard it in the early 50s and I guess that it was then that I caught the bug.
  
  RG

• On Wednesday, 07 April 2004 Dan Hurst wrote:

  Hello Roger,
  
  Having enjoyed browsing the site I thought I would venture some thoughts out in to the vastness of cyberspace and see if they meet up with you at any point!
  
  I've been a fan of DP for a while (although at 27 I can hardly compete with some of the others I have read comments from). I managed to get to see DP at the Albert Hall for the Concerto gig in 99 and saw you in Bristol more recently. I have to admit to expecting to be disappointed (how could they be as good as the records and older live recordings) and I'm glad to say I was wrong. The Concerto gig particularly blew me away and on the back of that I acquired a copy of the Butterfly Ball, which is one of my 'top ten' albums. I really enjoyed Snapshot too and notice from your other comments that other solo albums could be making an appearance in a record store near me, which I look forward to.
  
  Anyway now for a question or two. How much of a track when played live is improvised, e.g. are solo lengths/changes predetermined or left 'up to chance' on the feelings of the night? Who in the band is the organiser on stage for leading into the next section or the conclusion of the song?
  
  How much rehearsing does the band do before a gig?
  
  Finally I am venturing into the world of home recording and finding it hard to get what is in my head down on 'tape'. Do you have any tips for arranging songs?
  
  Incidentally if you're at a loose end then I'm setting up a new band and need a bass player, so if you fancy getting paid peanuts and playing to the unappreciative few in some dodgy pub or other then give me a call!!!!
  
  But seriously thanks for the music and hope to get to see you again soon.
  
  Dan

  Hi Dan,
  
  Sometimes, a given solo will be of a certain length and the improvisation is within that length, other times it is open-ended and the signal usually comes from the soloist. There is no leader on stage and whenever there are mistakes, or what we call train wrecks, there are a lot of desperate glances around the stage. On those occasions it's usually down to myself or Paicey to count the band back in.
  
  Rehearsing is not something we do a lot of, the least the better. Getting on tape what is in your head is one of the great mysteries of the universe. The best advice I could give is not to have a predetermined result in mind otherwise you are fighting one battle too many. Be open to the moment and relish accidents and spontaneity. In other words, use your heart and not your head.
  
  RG

• On Wednesday, 07 April 2004 Guennadi Katchanov wrote:

  Dear Roger,
  
  You had a lot of inside showbiz experience as a musician and a producer.
  I have several questions, to which you may answer at you will:
  
  1)what is an average royalty rate for a band signed with one of any major labels ?
  
  2)can record contract stipulate that band’s musicians will not paid on equal footing i.e. their royalties will be based on the number of songs written/co-written by the individual musician for a given album ?
  
  3)If a musician serves simultaneously as a producer as you did, does that mean that for the extra work to be performed he can/may negotiate higher compensation then other band members ?
  
  4)Roughly how many copies m i n i m u m a major record labels want to be sold so that a signed 5-piece band will be not dropped ?
  
  5)Was it hard for you to be producer in Rainbow and DP ?
  
  Sinncerely, Guennadi.
  

  Hi Guennadi,
  
  I have no idea what an average rate would be. My first contract, in 1965, gave us three quarters of one percent, which is ridiculously small. It really all depends on what the terms of the contract are or how exploitive the company. Usually, percentages are in the teens or more, depending on either what you've got to offer or how good your manager is. Record royalties are not divided based on who wrote what or how many songs they wrote. However, it is not unusual for writers to get paid differing publishing royalties (as opposed to record royalties) based on how much of the song they wrote. Working as both a musician and producer does not necessarily mean you get paid for both, it depends on how hard-nosed the individual or how greedy the band. I have no idea about what record labels require. As for producing Rainbow and Deep Purple, yes, at times it is difficult because as a band member you lack the objectivity and respect that an outside producer might have.
  
  RG

• On Sunday, 04 April 2004 Marty wrote:

  I have a question with regards to the origins on the modification of your Rickenbacker 4001 bass.
  
  I know you had the bass shipped over from the states and first used it on Machine Head, but when did you change the neck pickup from the stock one to the two slanted ones?
  
  Also, do you still own that particular bass, and if so has it been re-modified or has it still got the slanted pickups?
  
  I ask becuase I have seen a picture of you with a 4001, but it has what appears to be a Bartolini pickup in the neck position...I wondered if it was a different bass or not.
  
  Thanx for all your great playing over the years..
  
  ..Martin.
  
  
  
  
  

  Hi Martin,
  
  Yes, I still have that bass. I did the modification sometime in 1972 in an attempt to get more bass tone. I don't think the experiment was that successful but it did make the sound of the instrument untypical. I have recently (as of Sept 2005) had the guitar worked on and it is sounding pretty good. No more slanted pick-ups (not knowing much about them, I don't know what they are). I have yet to replace the bridge (as these days I can't play it with those adjusting knobs sticking out). I acquired it from a company called Hipshot that makes all kinds of accessories for the Rickenbacker.
  
  RG

• On Wednesday, 31 March 2004 Sergio \ wrote:

  Hi Roger, I have a tecnic question for you.
  What kind o distorsion or fuzz you have used on the Fireball's solo? And....it's true that you used an Fender Mustang Bass for recording Fireball Album? Thanks for all and sorry for my English :-)
  
  Sergio "H"
  Bass Player of Fireball DP Tribute Band (Italy)

  Hi Sergio,
  
  Yes it was Fender Mustang but I have forgotten what distortion box I used, probably one borrowed froim Ritchie.
  
  RG

• On Wednesday, 31 March 2004 Mark Jones wrote:

  Hi Roger,
  Just wondered if your daughter has done vocals on any other albums (your or anyone else's) besides Snapshot.
  Cheers
  Mark

  Hi Mark,
  
  She has not recorded much before but I'm sure that will change soon.
  RG

• On Friday, 26 March 2004 Simon Johnston wrote:

  Roger,
  I am a fellow bass player, progressing beyond beginner status finally, and i'm wondering how to begin writing my own tunes. Bought a cheap old rust bucket with 6 strings on it to try and get some chord progressions going. Do you write entire songs by yourself, or would you leave certain parts open to the rest of the band you're playing with. IG has an amazing way with words and i was wondering if he's sometimes handed tunes to find lyrics to.
  
  Also, I was wondering if you've seen many inflatable bananas on your tour so far?:)
  See you at Wembley Arena in the winter!
  Simon

  Hi Simon,
  
  Yes, I do write entire songs by myself but as far as DP is concerned, we all write together, usually from a jamming situation. It seems to have become our tradition - the backing track gets written and recorded with only a vague idea of what the vocals will be and then IG, alone or sometimes with me, will figure out what to put on top.
  
  RG

• On Monday, 22 March 2004 Chris Brodbeck wrote:

  Perusing the site even more, I find that you are as a humble a man can be, especially when given your credentials.. Of course, I could laud you with kudos, but I am sure you get plenty of those.
  You have been, always, an inspiration to me, and the quintessential bassist. Just plain "cool" before cool was cool.
  I particularly want to comment on your solo in "Gemini Suite" (BBC and Jon). Man, it is killer. I had the album, with the original cover of a fish head rising towards to moon, I believe, but through several divorces, have lost lots near and dear to me. Hell, lost guitars, amps, rigs, etc. Nasty stuff divorce. Just wondering if you might be able to enlighten us as to how that was done. Sounds as if you are thumbing the bass of the bass, while picking (fingers?) the melody/higher parts. Surely not double tracked..?
  Thanks for any input. You the Man, Rog. Always have been, and always will be in my book.
  Chris

  Hi Chris,
  
  Thanks for the thought. The bass solo on The Gemini Suite was indeed, double tracked. To be really impressive, I'd love to able to say that is not so, but it is so. It was played on a Fender Mustang, as I recall.
  
  RG

• On Tuesday, 17 February 2004 Alexander wrote:

  Dear Roger Glover,
  May I ask you, will there be
  any anniversary remasters to album Perfect
  Strangers this year or any DVD
  releases like Perks And Tit,
  
  From Russia, Alexander

  Hi Alexander,
  
  I would very much like to get involved with a Perfect Strangers reissue, and there has been some discussion about it. It will happen, I just don't know when. Perks and Tit is a bootleg, nothing to do with us.
  
  RG