Ian Paice of Deep Purple has shared his thoughts on how drummers adjust to the physical challenges of live performances as they age. In an interview with The Guardian, he discussed how he adapted their playing styles to continue performing.
“Many of the things I found easy when I was much younger are now difficult. But I know a lot more now than when I was younger,” Paice explained, reflecting on the changes that come with aging.
He acknowledged that the physicality of drumming has become more challenging with time, but his experience has allowed him to adapt even after suffering a minor stroke. “So you substitute things: that is going to be difficult, but I can do that instead. Anybody who thinks they can do exactly the same thing they did 50 years ago is mad. There aren’t many guys of my generation left playing what I call ‘powerful drums’.”
He also emphasized that while he’s adjusted his playing, he hasn’t completely changed his lifestyle. “But I’m not a health fanatic. I haven’t turned into a lentil-eating hippy,” he added.
Deep Purple has been going over 50 years now, but they have no intention to retire anytime soon. Last year on August, Ian Gillan addressed the retirement rumors and said they were only ‘rubbish.’ “It was only recently that I heard somebody mention [the tour name]. I’d never heard that before. I’d never even spoken to anybody about it. No one asked me. That’s rubbish,” the rocker explained in an interview with UCR.
He continued, “But to answer your question: It is what it is. As soon as you start feeling unable to deliver at that level – of course, you adjust, of course, you adapt and make do the best you can. But when the energy level goes, that’s time to stop because then it gets embarrassing and nobody wants that. But so far, so good. I think that’s a much better title than what you just said.”
Gillan’s comments aligned with Paice’s words about the same matter in 2023. “We have never planned a date to stop working. We are realists. The guys are getting older, and there’s gonna come a point where maybe one or two of us don’t want to do it anymore or (it’s) not physically possible for them to do it. But we don’t think about that. We’re still having a great deal of fun,” the drummer explained.
Deep Purple’s latest album, ‘=1,’ was released on July 19 through earMUSIC.
