Don Airey has shared his thoughts about Deep Purple’s renewed energy in a recent interview with Sonic Perspectives.
“It was great when he came in,” Airey said about Simon McBride joining the band. “He just fitted straight in and everybody woke up from their long sleep.”
“We all started rocking again and riffs started pouring out and everyone was very enthusiastic,” he continued. “We didn’t expect it to be the success it was I must say. It was a bit overwhelming and very gratifying for everybody in the band.”
“It’s given us a new burst of energy,” Airey concluded. “So, we’ll be keeping it going.”
McBride has made a significant positive impact on Deep Purple as their guitarist. The band has experienced a creative resurgence since his arrival.
Reports from Ultimate Classic Rock highlight McBride’s previous collaborations with band members Ian Gillan and Don Airey. These prior connections helped facilitate his smooth transition into the iconic group.
The guitarist brings a distinctive musical approach to Deep Purple’s sound. Insights from Ultimate Classic Rock reveal McBride’s style combines strong blues foundations with ’80s rock influences. This combination adds what he describes as a ‘slightly harder edge’ to the band’s signature sound.
The fresh dynamic has produced significant results. Coverage from Guitar World notes that their latest studio album ‘=1’ marks their first full-length release with McBride as a permanent member.
The collaboration benefits both the band and McBride. Their recent work has received positive reception. This new chapter might become one of the most exciting periods in the band’s history.
