Ian Gillan gets all sassy with the Rock & Roll hall of Fame

Talking to Rolling Stone, Ian Gillan gently schools the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in rock:

I've heard quotes of somebody on the [Rock Hall voting] committee saying, "Well, Deep Purple can't be in it, because they were a one-hit wonder." I don't know if they were referring to "Hush" or "Smoke in the Water" or "Child in Time" or "Highway Star" or "Perfect Strangers," any of those one hit wonders that we were.

He then says he'd treat the museum with respect if they approached the band, but "it's really an American thing", which is the sort of respect you get when someone says "I hear what you're saying, but..."

Sony BMG in another awkward moment

Following the very high profile condemnation of its shoddy Deep Purple release by Ian Gillan, Sony BMG have had to scrap the album and are trying to explain what happened:

Sony BMG said it was recalling the album and would investigate why Gillan was not told about its plans.

A spokesman for the company said: "Sony BMG is not in the business of releasing albums without the knowledge of the artists.

"It is in our interests to work with artists, so they can promote their records and continue to work with us."

The label then scratched its two corporate heads, pointing out that the record had been released before and it wasn't a problem then - perhaps Ian Gillan knew nothing at all about that time, boys?

Don't buy Deep Purple album, say Deep Purple

Deep Purple's Ian Gillan is so horrified at a record label sticking out a live recording of what he believes is one of the worst concerts of all time, he went on this morning's Today to issue a plea to fans to not part with their cash:

The singer said he and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore were barely on speaking terms at the time of the concert.

"It was one of the lowest points of my life - all of our lives, actually," said Gillan.

"In fact, it lasted five or six shows after that Birmingham show.

"Then Ritchie left the band. And we've had 13 years of stability ever since then."

So, what is the shady little label that's pulled a nasty little stunt that does no good to consumer or band?

That would be your Snoy-BMG, cornerstone of the RIAA and thus signed up behind that organisation's condemnation of how priacy and downloads don't respect the artist's rights to control their own work.