Lord Doesn't Support Ulrich

01/07/09 4:18pm

by Steve McLean (CHARTattack)

Metallica's Lars Ulrich might want to drum for the potentially reforming "Mark III" version of Deep Purple, but the feeling doesn't seem to be mutual — at least for one Purple member.

"It all seems like a lot of hot air and wild speculation to me," 67-year-old keyboardist Jon Lord posted on his website on Tuesday.

"I like Lars and what he has achieved with Metallica. He's obviously always been very complementary in his comments about DP, and I love the story of his famous nine-years-old 'baptism of fire' at our '73 concert in The KB Halle in Copenhagen, but if I was asked to be involved in a 'Mark III' reunion — (which, by the way, I haven't. All I ever said was that the idea had a few good points and a few not-so-good points.) — and I indeed considered that offer, I would not be able to even imagine it without the presence of Ian Paice.

"By the way — I have NOT retired!"

Drummer Paice is the only Deep Purple founding member who still performs with the latest incarnation of the group, and some people have proposed that he might not be comfortable leaving it to rejoin his former bandmates — which is how Ulrich's name came up as a possible new addition to the lineup.

Lord's message also revealed that Deep Purple's 1974 Stormbringer album has been remastered and will be released with bonus tracks in February.

Just so you know, I've written Deep Purple stories on two consecutive days without trying to fit in some sort of profane "DP" reference. I hope you're impressed with my restraint.