Hello you bum, Been thinking of you lately. Yes I'm still out there hard at it at 71 with a 6 piece band of baby boomers all in their 60's playing up a storm, loud, hard rock with some country thrown in. Oh and the occasional John Denver - ouch! Get off you ass and send me an email, Ray.

Any chance of site updating ?

Hi Nick, I have just stumbled upon your site. I see I have to wish you a belated Happy Birthday. Thanks for the nice comments in your Nick's Story (Chapter 15). I thought you were brilliant too. Why did I ever leave to join the Vagabonds....it seemed OK at the time it was a great band with loads of gigs..I hope you are well, and would love to hear from you. Maybe meet up the next time you are over here in Germany. Take care.

Hi Nick! Happy Birthday to you! Thanks a lot for your music. I wish you every success at least one time a day 🙂

hi nick! could you please give details regarding "rag moppin"? i would love to know which trax exactly you are on. thanx in advance!

Silent footage of Deep Purple on the set of WEWS-TV Channel 5's Upbeat show, November 1968, hosted by Don Webster. Groovy dancers and RB turns the Gibson around to 'play' the back. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6hWOJQ6uiw

DEEP PURPLE’S ORIGINAL 1968 LINEUP COMES ALIVE AGAIN! It was the summer of 1968. Lead guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, keyboardist Jon Lord, drummer Ian Paice, bassist Nick Simper and vocalist Rod Evans, known collectively as Deep Purple, released Shades Of Deep Purple. The introduction to America was the Top 5 hit “Hush.” On July 26, Eagle Rock Entertainment will re-release one of the greatest debuts in all of hard rock, Shades Of Deep Purple, in addition to its follow-up, The Book Of Taliesyn (originally released four months later that same year), and their 1969 self-titled third album. All three re-releases come complete with bonus tracks of b-sides, studio outtakes and BBC jams. [MSRP $9.98] Shades Of Deep Purple indeed had many colorations. The high percentage of instrumentals immediately set them apart from their peers. Their covers of The Beatles (“Help”), Cream (“I’m So Glad”) and The Jimi Hendrix Experience (“Hey Joe”) are totally unique. Clearly, this was a band heralded for greatness. The Book Of Taliesyn cemented their rep for swirling keyboard drama and the kind of electric guitar soloing that only the greats could pull off. This time the hit was a cover of Neil Diamond’s “Kentucky Woman.” But it was the creative reworking of another Beatles tune, “We Can Work It Out,” as well as a righteous rockin’ treatment of Ike & Tina Turner’s “River Deep Mountain High,” jamming on for over 10 minutes that caught the attention of the underground. Deep Purple, the album, capped off a tumultuous year in rock’n’roll history (1969). Deep Purple, the band, was obviously meant to start trends, not follow them, which led them to become one of the most influential rock bands in history. Their cover of Donovan’s “Lalena” is true to the spirit of the song: simplistically beautiful, one that singer Evans captures dramatically. With a mix of the psychedelic and the growing jam mentality that infused these tracks with dynamic musicianship, originals such as “The Painter” and “Emmaretta” alone carved out a hunk of Blackmore’s growing legend. And Lord’s liquid organ fills permeated the mix with the kind of high-octane quiver that was cinematic in scope. This is the album that gave a hint to the direction the band would pursue upon vocalist Ian Gillan and bassist Roger Glover replacing Evans and Simper on the very next album. **************** I wonder if Nick & Rod will be financially compensated for these releases. Mostly curious about Rod, who's punishment for being conned into fronting a Faux Deep Purple, was the forteture of future royalties.

Had a hunch to get in touch. Googled and got the some other guys photo. Not doing too much as my wife has COPD, but still play as and when. Based at Dunstable. get in touch while we're all still here! Mike

Hello Nick Just to say that I remember your father very well he was the manager of Williams Brothers in Hayes town but mainly for his visits to the Hayes Cricket Club which he was a member and used to play a long time ago happy memorioes

Hi Nick I was wondering if you or any of your readers could help with some further info on these two west London bands please? Dae-B-Four (1964-1966) Ian Pitwell - vocals Rex Brayley - lead guitar (went on to Love Affair) Brian Mansell - rhythm guitar (had been with Ritchie Blackmore in a band and early line up of Frankie Reid & The Casuals) ? - bass Bob Dean - drums (replaced by John Kerrison for a while from Frankie Reid & The Casuals, who went on Episode Six) Any missing members? All Night Workers (1964-1967) Originally: W C Chunky Huse - vocals (later a top film cameraman) Dave Carolanbus - lead guitar (went on to The Kool but possibly was in Jeff Curtis and The Flames before they morphed) ? - rhythm guitar Ray De Ville - organ (later worked with Dusty Springfield; not sure about spelling) Geoff Glover - sax Johnny Baker - sax Dougie Ayers - bass ? - drums In 1966, Ray De Ville, Geoff Glover, Johnny Baker and Dougie Ayers joined by Brian Mansell - rhythm guitar Malcolm Randall - lead guitar Ian Pitwell - vocals Mick Wheeler - vocals (later in Jo Jo Gunne) Later Ray Doughty replaced Dougie Ayers