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The DVD release of the Butterfly Ball concert

In September 1975 I staged a concert of The Butterfly Ball at the Albert Hall, London, and as far as possible gathered together as many of the performers as I could from the recording of the original album, which was released the previous year. The event was recorded and filmed by Tony Klinger and British Lion Films and the resulting movie is what is now being re-released in DVD format by a company called MusicVideoDistributors.

Those are the facts. Loath as I am to delve into the world of opinions, I am about to do so. I love the Butterfly Ball; the book is superb, Alan Aldridge’s illustrations and William Plomer’s verse are works of pure class and when, late 1973, I was (amazingly) offered the commission to write and record an album of music based on the book for a projected animated movie, I was determined to rise to the occasion and deliver something that would, at the very least, enhance their brilliance. It was a challenging and a very special project for me as a writer and producer and when it was released in 1974 it was, to my relief, very well received in various countries around Europe. However, it failed to ignite a broad interest in the UK and so the idea for staging a concert at the Albert Hall came about as a means of getting some attention for it in my home country.

I worked hard to make the concert a memorable experience and from the start it was a difficult venture; I had little or no help, no secretary, no assistants, no roadies, and had no say whatsoever in how it was to be lit or filmed – I concentrated on the music and left those things to people who knew better, so I thought. Ronnie James Dio, who had memorably taken a major role in the studio recording, was not able to be there but fortunately Twiggy, Ian Gillan and John Lawton signed on to sing those songs, the late great Vincent Price agreed to read the poems and so rehearsals went ahead, albeit chaotically, for about a week before the show date. Apart from being the conduit through which a year or so before I was afforded the opportunity (for which I am truly grateful) to write the Butterfly Ball, my erstwhile managers seemed unable to offer much help in the preparations for the concert. Bruce Payne, who up until then I had known only as DP’s agent, answered my call for help and arranged for Bob Adcock, at the time a Rainbow road manager, to help out at the last minute.

The actual night of the concert was lovely, all the artists on the stage gave superlative performances and I felt, and still feel, indebted to every single one of them.

Some months later, in 1976, I was informed that there was to be a premiere of the resulting movie at the Odeon cinema in Chelsea, London. Since at the time I was in the studio producing Judas Priest I declined the offer initially but was eventually persuaded to attend, the Priest allowing me a night off, good lads that they were. A limousine picked me up at Wessex Studios and I was delivered to the Odeon, met on a red carpet by the manager of the cinema and various other dignitaries, and ushered in with a suitable degree of pomp. Most of the performers were there, along with most of their relatives (and mine) and after a glass of wine or two and some mingling we all settled down to watch the movie, my wife Judi and I being shown to especially plush and centrally located seats so that all would know that we were the guests of honour. The lights dimmed and the film commenced. I had no preconceptions about what it was going to be like but as it progressed I sat there cringing with embarrassment at the spectacle before me. The music was OK but the camera work, the lighting, the editing, and above all the inserts – either pseudo ballet dancers seemingly practicing their moves or people dressed as animals crawling or waddling around some desultory looking countryside – left me with a strong urge to run away and hide. About half way through, as I sank further down in my throne of a seat, I whispered to Judi that I was thinking about walking out, but I suppose I’m too nice a person to do something like that. Still, I wish I had. Afterwards, damned by faint praise, I endured the lukewarm congratulations of my presumably equally embarrassed friends with far too many comments like, “That was …er, interesting,” as people sloped off to salvage what was left of their Chelsea evening, leaving me to… well, cry angry tears on the long, silent journey back home.

That was then. Now it is 2006 and I watched the DVD today, shutting out the sunny Saturday afternoon, shutting out those memories, and attempting to be open minded. My first impression was not good; as I opened the box, I found the DVD plastered with a huge photograph of Glenn Hughes (who also features on the box’s spine). Huh? Ah, now I get it; some dolt in the art department (if there is such a department) was informed that this was the work of Deep Purple’s bass player. Now I have nothing against Glenn, he’s a fine bloke, but… this was not a good omen. There is also no information or booklet explaining or putting the contents into perspective.

For the next couple of hours I went through several emotions. The movie was every bit as bad as I remembered and worse; having watched it only twice before – the first time being at the aforementioned premiere and the second time some years later, surfing through a video which someone had thoughtfully donated – I was now noticing the shoddy synchronization between the soundtrack and the visuals, the awful camera work, the insufficient lighting, the ‘acting’ of the performers in the dreaded inserts, which I’m sure would have been rejected by even the worst silent movie director, it’s all so ridiculously ham.

What can I say that is positive? Maybe Tony Klinger was faced with a cheaply shot live movie and felt the need to liven it up with something extra? To be fair, all those people who took part in the cameo sequences probably tried their best with what they were given; not all the dancing was so inept. Maybe the inclusion of the war footage (Vietnam?) was seen as a bold move intended to inject some provocation into what could be seen as an overly happy event? Maybe someone who thought they were being avant-garde did the editing? Maybe the budget was prohibitive? Who knows? The sound is not bad for a live performance, a little muddy perhaps, but since I was probably in the studio when that was mixed, I can only blame myself (you can only work with what you’ve got!).

What I did see that made me smile were the performances of the musicians and singers, all of whom put their best into it and gave such life to the songs. In keeping with the musical climate of the time we stretched some of the songs almost to breaking point with extended jams. I was touched at the camaraderie, the nervous smiles, the spontaneity, and the genuine good vibes coming from the packed Albert Hall. Oh, but I was looking at an event that touched my heart over thirty years ago and here it was touched again today. I found myself with a tear in my eye for times past, when possible futures were yet to be, and dreams were fresh. One of dreams was surely that this event be documented in a far better way than this.

Finally the credits rolled (rather shakily) and I was amazed to see that not only was there no mention of my name (although, to be fair I do get one in the opening credits) but inexplicably the only musicians that do get their dues are Jon Lord and Eddie Jobson, along with “Fancy”. I mean, great as they undoubtedly are, why single them out and ignore the rest? For a live concert recording I would have thought that a full list of all the performers would have been mandatory. It was a revelation to see Jon Lord, Tony Ashton, David Coverdale, Glenn Hughes, Ian Gillan, John Gustafson, Eddie Jobson, John Lawton, Eddie Hardin and myself all on the same stage on the same night – quite a feat, even for those days. Making it all work was the impeccable professionalism and superb musicianship of Fancy – Mo Foster on bass, Ray Fenwick on guitar and Les Binks on drums – along with Chris Karan and Mark Nauseef on percussion. Mickey Lee Soule (looking impossibly young and handsome), Earl Jordan, Al Matthews, Neil Lancaster (whose performance of Harlequin Hare was sadly not used), Helen Chapelle, Liza Strike, Barry St.John and my then wife Judi Kuhl, all put in sterling performances. And last but by no means least, the really well known stars that saved the day, Vincent Price and Twiggy. Both were professional to the core and equally nice with it. The nameless members of the orchestra and choir, conducted by the unbelievably unflappable Del Newman, all deserve but don’t get a place above the caterers, drivers, etc. who do get a name check. (Talking of name checks, it would have been appropriate, since this project has no doubt been sanctioned by DP’s old management, to spell Jon Lord’s name correctly on the packaging!)

The movie thankfully never received a wide release and mercifully seemed to fade away. Well, it’s back! From time to time I have ventured my negative feelings about it to anyone who would listen and I’m sorry (or possibly relieved) to say that those feelings of disappointment and wasted opportunity have not changed. It’s possible, if not likely, that this DVD is merely a catalog item of little or no importance in the scheme of things and therefore no effort was put into it – and I shouldn’t be complaining. Should you feel the need to investigate further then do so, but don’t expect me to be happy about it. And have some alcohol handy.

The Butterfly Ball album is something that I am very proud of, and the concert was undoubtedly one of the best nights of my life, but the movie does it no justice. One day, and I hope I live long enough to see it; there will be a proper movie. I believe it has a future. I can imagine how one of the big digital animators would deliver it – the marvelous illustrations coming to mind-boggling life – the music updated and clear – and a more coherent storyline that could entrance all ages. It could also be a Broadway-type musical along the lines of The Lion King or Cats… all it would take is lots of money. So, if there’s anyone out there who has a large disposable fortune and a few thousand employees willing to work for a few years, then please get in touch. I would love that.

Good luck,

RG
Connecticut, 11 March 2006

PS: Incidentally, I am not suggesting that anyone refrain from buying the DVD. This is only an opinion and people are free to reach their own conclusions.

14 thoughts on “The DVD release of the Butterfly Ball concert

  1. Jeffrey Cox wrote on 2022-11-01:

    With Concerto for Group and Orchestra Deep Purple was already ahead of its time, fusing different genres of music and recognising that it was all part of a continuum. Indeed, the members of Deep Purple, along with some others in that era, were master musicians and progressive well before the term prog rock came about. The Butterfly Ball was ahead of its time. I loved it then and still love it now. It is always somewhat frustrating that there are certain people who define a group or individual by a very narrow band of music. For Deep Purple it was Smoke on the Water and those who can’t progress beyond these riff-heavy tunes sadly lack the breadth of interest to follow the full repertoire such master musicians, like Roger, are capable of producing. People shunned Rainbow when they included Graham Bonnet but it was great music.

    As a concept, The Butterfly Ball is sublime. Alan Aldridge, illustrator of a terrific little novel called The Gnole, a terrific read, was a truly brilliant. To pay homage to the wonderful book that is the Butterfly Ball was such a wonderful way to express the diversity that Roger Glover can muster. Of other solo work I found the album Elements incredibly enchanting.

    Indeed, the film makers mucked up a great opportunity. The concert footage, which I have only recently seen via YouTube, was magnificent. What a pity the concert could not be presented in its entirety on its own. The performers were all wonderful and the women, all so beautiful; I can barely take my eyes off them. The concert was every bit as good as the 1999 performance of Concerto and at the Royal Albert Hall. Just as you could see Jon’s (RIP) emotional response at the conclusion, that gave me tears of joy too; so did the concluding song on The Butterfly Ball by Twiggy. RIP Ronnie James Dio.

    A most under-rated collection of music and performances at the time. Let us hope that one day The Butterfly Ball is rediscovered by someone who can do the work justice and bring it to life. Performed by an orchestra, a stage musical or an animated film perhaps (for those of us still young at heart); all could work. What a dream.

    What a wonderful human being you are, (should be Sir) Roger Glover to have brought us such a delightful range of superb music over many decades.

    Reply
  2. The Butterfly Ball IS all... wrote on 2021-12-16:

    Hello Mr Glover

    As a child I was mesmerised by ‘Love is All’ and thought what an anthem to the problems facing humanity. As a kid I thought it spoke to me and the world at a time when everything seemed so dark and cold. As an adult, and for many years now, that song and the story still resonates for me. Like you, I’ve often thought about the ‘possibilities’ of recreating that period in time – how it might be performed, staged and relived. I truly believe its message is as pertinent today as it was then. They say small ideas can generate life changing moments and I would so welcome the opportunity to chat with you about my ideas. You may dismiss them as silly but at least I will have had the opportunity to share them with you. Given the contributions of yourself, other artists and performers, it would be a huge shame for such an event to be filed away as a ‘good idea’ at the time.

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  3. Simon B wrote on 2020-01-11:

    I was one of the lads in the choir backing Twiggy in “Homeward Bound”. Sadly I was too young at the time to appreciate the rock royalty taking part. I agree the parts that were “acted” are awful but its nice to have some video of the concert to build on my vague memories. A different choir was used for the album but it is still one of my favourites – particularly “Behind the Smile”.
    44 years on thanks Roger for bringing the event together, I now realise what a privilege it was to have taken part.

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  4. Santa Barbara wrote on 2019-10-02:

    Hello!
    I feel fortunate to find recordings from 1975 with you, Jon Lord and Ian Gillan in the same concert on Youtube. I cryed seeing you together there, Gillan’s first performance after you both departed Deep Purple! It was like a revelation seeing the great vocalist of Deep Purple, the best of his generation, like the all line-up of that Deep Purple, stand there and simply singing with modesty, smoothy, just perfect! You made a great work and I would die if I don’t get a copy! But not the one you already spoke about! Please, do something and let us enjoy the great moments of the Butterfly Ball Concert, 1975! And don’t forget Vincent Price! Please come with a new remastered edition, maybe you can yet find the full concert recording! Because it was an historical moment! Thank you!

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  5. Thyge S. Thomsen wrote on 2019-07-11:

    Hi Roger, I bought the album in 1974 and has being enjoying it again and again. Right now I am “ripping” the vinyl to my NAS – as the most loved LP I have – and finally found out that a movie exists. But reading your ‘review’, I will think twice before buying it… Maybe I will for having a second audio experience. In my fantasy the ‘real’ movie should be animated, giving room for the fairy-tale drawings from the album art-work.

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  6. J. Steen wrote on 2018-11-15:

    I just discovered the concert on YouTube, probably in poorer quality than the DVD.

    I agree the inserts are “Magical Mystery Tour” gone “200 Motels” gone… bad. In a strange and unintended way, however, some of it now takes you back to the period: the war always on the news (or so it seemed anyway), old transit van, 70s clothing, Legs & Co on TOTP as it was the pre-MTV era…

    That being said, it’s nice some footage and the audio of the concert is still here to enjoy. I did, so thank you for taking the effort.

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  7. Theresa McGill wrote on 2017-09-02:

    Hello there

    I’m 46 and still have hugely fond memories of the song. I watched it with my 10 year old today who thought it was marvellous. I found the film on YouTube and greatly enjoyed reading your story.

    Watching it today, 30 plus years on. I love seeing the musicians and am thoroughly enjoying the trippy elements. The music is utterly beautiful. The world is so bland today – we need more whimsy and fun.

    Thanks for your wonderful work Roger.

    Reply
  8. Victoria Westwood wrote on 2016-11-07:

    Hello Roger,
    Please contact the producers in London who put together Matilda and make every effort to put together a stage production of Butterfly Ball.

    The characters, the music, the arrangements, the story..honestly you or your daughter need to be chasing this one down.

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  9. Lee Jeffery wrote on 2015-11-25:

    Roger , Butterfly Ball is an amazing album, and I just recently came across YouTube vids of that nights performance, and I can see why you despair over the footage, I did as well, and I would hazard a guess that anyone else would have too. The footage is a dogs breakfast for the most part. I love to watch people perform, and the video robs everyone of most of that. And to not get the credits even close to the truth is , well, criminal….That album holds a special place in my heart, and i suspect many other people’s as well. I know you proabably have no control over the album distribution but it would be great to see a re-release of the original album. My dad had it on 8 track and I wore it out practising drums to it, its just one of those albums that leaves a beautiful permanent mark upon your heart and soul and on the rare occasions one hears a song from the album, it rips you from realty and into that world for a short time. Bloody brilliant mate, bloody brilliant, all the best.

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  10. Garry Child wrote on 2015-10-16:

    Hi Roger,
    I came across your Albert Hall concert on YouTube a few months ago while looking for the Love is all video and have to agree with you, it was not what I was expecting!
    The music and stage presence by the musicians is cool but as said before, the way it was filmed and messed around with spoiled it unfortunately.
    I remember my Mum buying me Love is all/Old blind Mole as a single in ’75 and I played it that much I wore it out!
    The inserts of the “feast” on the video brought back memories. We did a stage performance in front of 800 people at Leeds Playhouse of The Ball in 1981 while at school. Our creature heads were just the same!
    For some reason The Butterfly Ball is very special to me which is why I ended up here after spending hours looking up “who’s done what” on the internet that is Butterfly Ball related.
    I would do that performance again tomorrow if I could!
    So, as you said Roger, if there is anyone with some disposable cash that wants to do a show of The Ball and needs a Dr Vole then I’m still available! hehe.
    If you would like to see our performance from ’81 just run a Google search for John Jamieson School Butterfly Ball and it will pop up. I wont put the web address for spam filter reasons.

    All the best Roger
    Gaz
    Leeds, UK

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  11. Tony Kemp wrote on 2014-10-07:

    Hi Roger.
    Really hope you get this.
    The Butterfly Ball has been part of my life since 1975 when i went out & bought the album on cassette (omg remember them!) but of course i have it on the proper stuff as well…vinyl.
    So bought it twice…well worth it Roger.
    Don’t worry too much over the Albert Hall dvd recording. The diehards are listening to the music & watching the singers not people dressed up as furry animals.
    The whole staging was very gig like. The fans there loved it, that comes through loud & clear, proof enough that TBB will endure through time (wish i’d been there)
    You’re right you know re a West End musical production. Christ…if we can have Spice Girls the Musical we can defo have… ‘Butterfly Ball the Musical’
    The Butterfly Ball is the first piece of music i would select to take on that desert island.
    All together now…dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dummm everybodys got to live together all the people got to understand, & love your neighbour like you love your brother come on & join the band…..love is all you need at the Butterfly Ball.
    Ronnie Dio was just fantastic, you all were & still are. Those that are departed are singing in heaven…just can’t stop em!
    Regards Roger
    Tony
    North Yorks

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  12. 70's Reject wrote on 2014-02-12:

    Oh, and thank Amazon Prime video for me being able to see it. Watched it for free. Now I have to own it as it is the only video to document this great album. DVD is $40 used, over 100 bucks new. I am hoping Netflix picks it up.

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  13. 70's Reject wrote on 2014-02-12:

    I have loved this album since the late 70s. I only saw the dvd concert tonight. Did not even know it existed!

    I agree, it was horribly shot and edited. I think that is why the producers added the live action crap…or maybe they were channeling the Beatles “I Am the Walrus”.

    I wanted to see the concert as it was awesome! Be proud. You wrote and produced one of the best concept albums of all time. My hope is it will not be forgotten. Certainly not by me and the many people I have shared it with.

    “No Solution”, “Together Again”, “Old Blind Mole”and “Sir Maximus Mouse” are on my current I Pod playlist.

    Thank you for producing/sharing this with the world.

    Reply
  14. Thomas F. wrote on 2011-08-30:

    It would be wonderful to have this concert on dvd.

    Reply