deep purple

"We realized it could be the last time we see each other."

Co-founder joined the group for a special rendition of "Smoke on the Water."

They're piling new dates onto a globe-trotting tour in support of the new album 'Splat!'

Jefferson Starship also appeared at the tour's opening night.

During a rare interview, the Deep Purple and Rainbow guitar legend tells UCR how he hopes to return to the stage.

Singer Ian Gillan says the song is about an unhappy young man who excels at irritating the elite.

Ian Gillan says the new album revisits "the fun of the music we made from '69 to '73."

He says the 2017 trek was named 'The Long Goodbye' in an effort to "sell some more tickets."

Joint North America dates continue through September, with key stops in Houston, Chicago and Montreal, among others.

Their new U.S. tour with Yes kicks off on Wednesday.