Heartwarming / Deep Purple

• These days, the band is getting along splendidly, and appears to be a set of True Companions if there ever was one.
  • Generally, this lineup's members get talking about each other, it's with a lot of respect. And when they don't, it's usually because they're on the light end of Vitriolic Best Buds.
  • Steve Morse in a question-and-answer session openly gushed about how good the others were at what they did when asked whether he'd listened to their solo work.
  • Don Airey, at the end of a documentary, gets talking about his at-the-time new bandmates. He takes time to praise the talents of each one.
  • Ian Gillan routinely calls Don and Steve "amazing" and other such positive adjectives when introducing their solo spots
• Ian Gillan and Roger Glover were a team prior to their Purple days, and still appear to be close now.
  • Another specifically related to those two: in a fact sheet from the band's early days, Roger lists Ian as one of his favorite singers. D'aww.
  • In his autobiography, Ian claims Roger is the closest thing he has to a brother, and that he loves him.
• After Jon Lord's last concert with Purple, backstage footage reveals him sharing a long hug with successor Don Airey, who reportedly had a hand in organizing at least some aspects of the concert to give him a proper send-off. With all the ugly lineup changes in the past, Jon can really be said to have Earned His Happy Ending, and Don joined the band with his full blessing.
  Jon Lord (while embracing Don): You're just the kindest man.
  Don Airey: I'm not really, man...
  (later)
  Jon Lord: Bless you...I couldn't have asked for a kinder, nicer man...thank you.
  Don Airey: Thank you, for all you've given.
• The words of "Above and Beyond", which serve as a beautiful reminder that You Are Not Alone.
• The way Ian Gillan ends every concert these days.
  Ian Gillan: Thank you. We love you! Take it easy!
• Ian Gillan was so upset at the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame's refusal to induct Don Airey and Steve Morse that he almost rejected the award. He also insisted that it was the two of them who played with the band at the induction ceremony.
  • In an interview with Glenn Hughes about him and David Coverdale getting inducted, he said that if he could, he'd give his award to Tommy Bolin.
• Glenn Hughes still helps carry the legacy of departed bandmate Tommy Bolin, speaking of him as a friend forty years after his death.
  Glenn Hughes, introducing "This Time Around": When I was a young boy I had a very fortunate opportunity to meet a young man… who, I don’t use this phrase lightly, he became my brother… and we lived together for quite some time… But unfortunately, God took him away from us. So I’m gonna dedicate this next song to Tommy Bolin. I will never forget you Tommy, you’re in my prayers every day, I love you. God bless you, “This Time Around.”
  • Glenn's live performances of "Gettin' Tighter" have been dedicated to Tommy for over twenty years.
• Ian Paice turned twenty-five on June 29, 1973. A recording of the concert (in Japan) show that while there was no mention made of it onstage, Jon Lord played "happy birthday" during his solo on "Space Truckin'".
• Ian Gillan had a rough concert during the German tour in 1993, having a hoarse voice. He gives a very heartfelt 'thank you' to the audience during Child In Time, where they pick up the 'oooooh's from him.
• Don Airey's eldest son Mike works as Deep Purple's keyboard tech. Footage from this concert clearly shows him watching Don during his solo.
• Part of the footage from 'From Here to Infinite', a documentary about the making of 'Infinite,' also cover's Don's son Colin's wedding, which happened where they were recording. Roger Glover gave the bride away, among other cute things.
• The band has played 'Happy Birthday' to Steve Morse's guitar tech in both 2017 and 2018.
• Mark VIII has been very positive about young fans, often expressing joy that people are still finding their music. In an era where there are often intergenerational conflicts and complaints about "kids these days", it's really nice to see that Purple collectively embraces them.
• Mark VIII performed "Smoke on the Water" at one point with Ritchie Blackmore's son, Jürgen (can be viewed here). While a reunion with is father remains unlikely, they still managed to get a Blackmore onstage one last time.
  • According to some stories, the younger Blackmore and Steve Morse got along quite well and even became friends.

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