Deep Purple warn fans off album

Deep Purple have continued to tour

Rock band Deep Purple have asked fans not to buy one of their own live albums after it was re-released. Lead singer Ian Gillan said the album, recorded in Birmingham and titled NEC 1993, was an unfortunate reminder of one of their worst ever concerts.

He said tensions within the band led to a bad performance, adding: “It was, coming to the end it was awful.”

Gillan branded Sony BMG “opportunistic” ahead of the group’s new tour. The record company has not commented.

Rock legend

The singer said he and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore were barely on speaking terms at the time of the concert.

“It was one of the lowest points of my life - all of our lives, actually,” said Gillan.

“In fact, it lasted five or six shows after that Birmingham show.

“Then Ritchie left the band. And we’ve had 13 years of stability ever since then.”

Deep Purple were one of the highest profile heavy metal bands of the 1970s. Their song Smoke on the Water entered rock legend for its distinctive guitar riff.