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Roger Glover Admits Deep Purple Was DROPPED By EMI
Garry Sharpe-Young of Rockdetector.com recently conducted an interview with DEEP PURPLE bassist Roger Glover. An excerpt from the chat follows:
Rockdetector.com: "Rapture of the Deep" marks a significant career step for the band, breaking away from EMI. It's hard to believe they got so complacent with a band like DEEP PURPLE.
Roger Glover: "We've always been in and out of love with EMI, so it was long overdue for a change. As it worked out, circumstances forced our hand but it really has turned out for the best for DEEP PURPLE. It was a total mystery to me why EMI decided not to continue the relationship."
Rockdetector.com: You mean EMI let you go? I understood, from the language of the press releases, that DEEP PURPLE simply wanted to move on with some fresh impetus?
Roger Glover: "No, mate. EMI decided to end it. Why? I have no idea but it left us all scratching our heads for a while."
Rockdetector.com: That's incredible. Especially when you think of the huge revenues DEEP PURPLE must have generated for EMI over such a long career.
Roger Glover: "Well, that's right. It was especially mysterious, because these days it's accountants and lawyers that run record companies. There is very little passion for the music like the good old days. I could understand what was going on if the figures were not working out but obviously that was never an issue. So, just on that level, you have to ask yourself what on earth they were thinking. How much money has DEEP PURPLE made for EMI? You are obviously talking huge sums of money there. I think any other label would be glad to have just one of our classics in their catalogue, don't you?"
Rockdetector.com: Did this decision come out of the blue or did you sense some unrest?
Roger Glover: "Hmmm, actually, yes. EMI decided they were not going to put out the live album ('In Concert with The London Symphony Orchestra') from the Albert Hall. That was a surprise at the time. So, OK, we gave it to someone else and it actually was very, very successful. It even sold more than our last studio album for EMI. Then EMI turned around and became very accommodating again. The guy that made the decision to pass on the live album got sacked by the way. With 'Bananas', EMI were out to prove themselves once again. They made commitments and promises to market the album to our satisfaction and, I have to say, they did a great job on that one."
Rockdetector.com: "Bananas"'s succeeded in raising your profile once again certainly.
Roger Glover: "Yes it did. I think everyone was pretty happy with the result. Everyone was all smiles then EMI just decided that was that.”
Rockdetector.com: So, in essence, EMI dropped DEEP PURPLE?
Roger Glover: "I don't know if that's the correct term but it was not our decision.”
Rockdetector.com: I'm still amazed.
Roger Glover: "Yes, maybe it was a clerical error.”
Rockdetector.com: I guess you had no trouble finding a new home.
Roger Glover: "That was never a problem. Not wishing to blow my own trumpet, but this is DEEP PURPLE. You know what I mean? Edel seemed the best pick. They were really enthusiastic and could back it all up too with the network around the world that a band like us needs. To cater for DEEP PURPLE is no small undertaking and Edel can back us up all around the world. They are so hungry to impress us it's just great. I guess it's a bit of a honeymoon period but it has injected new life into everybody."
Read the entire interview at Rockdetector.com.
Rockdetector.com: "Rapture of the Deep" marks a significant career step for the band, breaking away from EMI. It's hard to believe they got so complacent with a band like DEEP PURPLE.
Roger Glover: "We've always been in and out of love with EMI, so it was long overdue for a change. As it worked out, circumstances forced our hand but it really has turned out for the best for DEEP PURPLE. It was a total mystery to me why EMI decided not to continue the relationship."
Rockdetector.com: You mean EMI let you go? I understood, from the language of the press releases, that DEEP PURPLE simply wanted to move on with some fresh impetus?
Roger Glover: "No, mate. EMI decided to end it. Why? I have no idea but it left us all scratching our heads for a while."
Rockdetector.com: That's incredible. Especially when you think of the huge revenues DEEP PURPLE must have generated for EMI over such a long career.
Roger Glover: "Well, that's right. It was especially mysterious, because these days it's accountants and lawyers that run record companies. There is very little passion for the music like the good old days. I could understand what was going on if the figures were not working out but obviously that was never an issue. So, just on that level, you have to ask yourself what on earth they were thinking. How much money has DEEP PURPLE made for EMI? You are obviously talking huge sums of money there. I think any other label would be glad to have just one of our classics in their catalogue, don't you?"
Rockdetector.com: Did this decision come out of the blue or did you sense some unrest?
Roger Glover: "Hmmm, actually, yes. EMI decided they were not going to put out the live album ('In Concert with The London Symphony Orchestra') from the Albert Hall. That was a surprise at the time. So, OK, we gave it to someone else and it actually was very, very successful. It even sold more than our last studio album for EMI. Then EMI turned around and became very accommodating again. The guy that made the decision to pass on the live album got sacked by the way. With 'Bananas', EMI were out to prove themselves once again. They made commitments and promises to market the album to our satisfaction and, I have to say, they did a great job on that one."
Rockdetector.com: "Bananas"'s succeeded in raising your profile once again certainly.
Roger Glover: "Yes it did. I think everyone was pretty happy with the result. Everyone was all smiles then EMI just decided that was that.”
Rockdetector.com: So, in essence, EMI dropped DEEP PURPLE?
Roger Glover: "I don't know if that's the correct term but it was not our decision.”
Rockdetector.com: I'm still amazed.
Roger Glover: "Yes, maybe it was a clerical error.”
Rockdetector.com: I guess you had no trouble finding a new home.
Roger Glover: "That was never a problem. Not wishing to blow my own trumpet, but this is DEEP PURPLE. You know what I mean? Edel seemed the best pick. They were really enthusiastic and could back it all up too with the network around the world that a band like us needs. To cater for DEEP PURPLE is no small undertaking and Edel can back us up all around the world. They are so hungry to impress us it's just great. I guess it's a bit of a honeymoon period but it has injected new life into everybody."
Read the entire interview at Rockdetector.com.
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