DEEP PURPLE Frontman: RITCHIE BLACKMORE Is 'A Difficult Guy'

DEEP PURPLE frontman Ian Gillan took some time off from his current North American solo tour and answered a few questions from Darryl Sterdan at Winnipeg Sun. A few excerpts follow:

On touring:

"Every now and again I have my arm twisted to take some time off. But a week or 10 days is about all I can endure before I’m no good to anyone."

On former DEEP PURPLE guitarist Ritchie Blackmore:

“In the early days he was great. I used to room with him. He had a great sense of humor. We were buddies. But later in life, he became something of what is commonly called a control freak. I would put it closer to megalomania, to be honest. He's a difficult guy. But he's gone now. We hope he's happy, but the divorce is final and all the clouds have blown away now."

On plans to write a novel:

"It's a hobby. I'm not a writer; I'm not a novelist. I'm just a lucky bugger. I've played football with George Best, the greatest footballer that ever lived. That doesn't make me a footballer. And I've sung a duet with Pavarotti. That doesn't make me an opera singer. I can write and I have a story to tell but I'm not going to make a career out of it."

Read the entire interview at this location.