Deep Purple Un-Retires (Again)

Alright, alright, look who’s back from the “we swear we’re done this time” department. Deep Purple just announced a full North American tour, and yeah, they’re dragging along Kansas and Jefferson Starship like it’s a classic rock family reunion nobody had the heart to cancel.

Now didn’t these guys say they were retiring? Please. In rock music, “retirement” means you take a nap, complain about your knees and then book another tour. Every band does it. You think they’re gonna sit at home organizing vinyl? Not a chance. Deep Purple themselves even hinted at slowing down before, yeah and here they are again, louder than ever.

And look, I’m 60. I’ve heard “Smoke on the Water” more times than I’ve heard my own name, but you know what? When they hit that riff live, it still knocks your teeth straight. That’s not nostalgia, that’s power and that doesn’t age.

This tour’s making the rounds through a whole lineup of cities, including Raleigh, Clearwater, Detroit, Indianapolis, Chicago, Las Vegas, Long Beach and, hopefully, Houston!

You got Kansas bringing that “Carry On Wayward Son” magic and Jefferson Starship floating in with that spacey, radio-polished groove. It’s like three generations of rock attitude rolled into one loud and unapologetic night.

Also, let me tell you something, these guys might creak a little getting on stage, but once they plug in? Forget it. Still sharp. Still dangerous. Still better than half the kids hiding behind laptops calling it a concert.

So yeah, call it a comeback, call it un-retiring, call it whatever you want. I call it what it always is with bands like this, unfinished business and played at full volume.