Revving up for bike week

Despite being one of the biggest rock bands to come out of the UK, Deep Purple are relatively unheard of in the media. Quite ironic, considering they were once listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as the "world's loudest band". And that, along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, the Smoke On The Water hitmakers are considered to be among the pioneers of modern hard rock.

The quintet – currently comprising frontman Ian Gillan, bassist Roger Glover, Ian Paice on drums, guitarist Steve Morse and Don Airey on keyboard – have sold over 100 million albums worldwide. And several line-up changes since 1968, as well as an eight-year hiatus between 1976 and 1984, haven't stopped them going.

Emirates Business chatted with keyboard player Airey ahead of the group's Dubai appearance.

How's everything going?

We're in South America at the moment, in Buenos Aires. We're doing two gigs here. We're having a great time, the weather's nice and hot.

You'll be getting a lot of that weather here in the UAE. Are you excited about Dubai Bike Week?

The last time we were in Dubai was about five or six years ago, at the tennis stadium. I've heard Dubai's changed a lot over the years, so it will be interesting to see what it's like now.

Will you be checking out any of the bikes?

Not for me. I'm not too keen on them, I think they're too dangerous. Steve Morse is into them though, so I bet he'll be trying some out.

Although you're considered one of the biggest rock bands in the Middle East, you haven't played much in the region, have you?

It's our last unconquered territory, really. But basically, it's because we haven't been asked. If we get asked to play a country, we'll go.

You're one of the world's hardest working bands, yet we hardly hear about you in the press. Why do you think that is?

It's true. We do 140 gigs a year, which totals to about 200 working days. We only get a little time off between gigs and then for holidays, like Christmas. Television and magazines don't really take notice, and we just quietly get on with it.

Do you think you're more popular abroad rather than in the UK?

Yes. Rock music has pretty much been underground in the UK, and there are many reasons for this. The BBC refused to play anything decent on television so people have to really search to find decent music, and kids became discouraged. That's why a lot of music that is commercially popular is very different. Then you look at Buenos Aires, where we have two sold out concerts. And we have fans in countries we've never performed in.

So who goes to your gigs?

It's a cross-section of fans really. We get everyone from seven to 70 years old. There's the enthusiastic young crowd at the front, and then there is the silver-haired ponytail brigade enjoying the music at the back.

Rock has been making it back into the headlines recently, with Iron Maiden winning a Brit award for Best Live Act. It's almost as if the genre is more popular in the downturn?

Yeah, well done to them. They work really hard. Bruce Dickinson is a very interesting guy and he puts on this programme on radio which I listen to. I think there are more rock shows due to the decline of power of record companies. They used to call all the shots, so they used to be in charge of tours. But now, because concerts are organised by different promoters, there's something real again.

Are you involved in the business side of the industry or do you have any ventures outside of music?

The way the business works is a mystery to the musician. The only other things I do are still related to music. I have a solo career; I have a solo record. I spend my time with the band, and then recording solo sessions. I'm just a humble musician.

What can we expect from your Dubai gig tonight?

All the numbers: The classics, some new ones, and maybe even a couple of songs they've never heard before. We'll just play some great music – no gimmicks.


Start your engines please...

Deep Purple's performance is part of Dubai Bike Week, a three-day motorbike festival which kicked off yesterday at Dubai Festival City, featuring a range of stunning bikes, Scorpion Customs' stunt team and DJ GQ.

Local artists in the form of Juliana Down, Abri, Lumi, The Meerkats, Paul Akiki and Jonas Desai will also be performing daily.

Day two begins at 12pm today, and ends at midnight. Tomorrow starts at 12pm and ends at 8pm. Visit Dubaibike week.com for more.

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