IAN GILLAN: RITCHIE BLACKMORE Has A Dominant Tendency And That's His Character

A new interview with DEEP PURPLE singer Ian Gillan has been posted on the band's official web site. A few excerpts from the chat follow

Q: The band has been together for the last twelve years except for Jon Lord's retirement. This remarkable stability, if you don't mind me saying so, is a welcome change for DEEP PURPLE, isn't it? Especially for many longtime fans…

Gillan: "It's a welcome change for us too (laughs). I have to tell you, there's been nothing more upsetting thing in my life to have the stomach turning nervousness about what the hell is gonna happen today. You never know what's around the corner. To know that you can turn up with the mates that you get on well and you respect professionally, and challenge you on stage while respecting what everyone else's doing is the most amazing feeling. So that stability has brought the renaissance for DEEP PURPLE."

Q: How was your experience of singing with Luciano Pavarotti?

Gillan: "Amazing! Can you imagine doing "Nessa Dorma" with Luciano Pavarotti the maestro? It's unbelievable. He's a very generous man. Very kind, and… He was (laughs)… You know, he said, 'You want to sing what? Are you fucking crazy?' (laughs)"

Q: Did he really said that to you?

Gillan: "(laughing) Yeah. Some people say he's crazy, some say he's genius. I think he's a true genius. He's a very nice guy, and he's very helpful. And he does everything in good spirit. Of course, he understands, and I understand that he's not a rock singer and I'm not an opera singer. The simple fact is that we are doing this for a charity and a benefit. It's just like when I play football. I am not a professional footballer, but I loved playing football with my hero and idol George Best for a charity and things like that. So it was really to raise money for Afghani kids and Iraqi kids. We did it twice. It was an amazing experience. I have to think that "Nessa Dorma" is the greatest rock ballad that's never been recorded as such."

Q: Your latest DVD release, "Highway Star", is a wonderful rock documentary film. How difficult was it to package 40 years of your professional career into just six hours? Was it easy for you?

Gillan: "Not really. Um… I think the credit must go to the producers as they have done a brilliant job. What they've managed to put together, I think, is relevant because they didn't look at it as fans. I think they looked at it as a human interest. That's the way it comes across. It was set out to be a television documentary. So I think that was the criteria they followed. I think it works great."

Q: I think one of the most interesting moment is when Ian Paice says "The band should have protected the singer."

Gillan: "(laughs)"

Q: The voice of a group cannot be replaced unlike the instruments…

Gillan: "I know, but… you don't understand these things when you're younger. I didn't understand it and he didn't and… (Sigh) There's no substitute for experience. I don't think anyone likes to be pushed around. But the whole thing with Ritchie was that he was the same way not just with me but with everybody. He was the same with musicians in RAINBOW. He has a dominant tendency and that's his character. He wants to dominate the situation. That's why our relationship never really bore any fruit apart from the early days. As I said, you can lead me around my nose, I mean, you can even offer me carrots and I'll do anything for you. But I just don't want be pushed around. I think that's human nature, you know."

Read the entire interview at this location.