In 2005, I went backstage after seeing what currently passes for classic rock legends Deep Purple: Glory-days holdovers Ian Gillan, Roger Glover and Ian Paice along with more recent recruits Don Airey and Steve Morse. I met Gillan, the singer, 64 now, 59 then. “Why still do this?” I asked.
“Well,” Gillan mused, “It’s the only thing I know how to do. I’m not a carpenter. I’m the singer in Deep Purple. We work two months a year. Not a bad living. Not a bad life.”
Amen to that, and every time Deep Purple plays “Smoke on the Water,” the crowd comes to its feet. There are just fewer people every year.
Same deal with Flair and Hogan. But no matter how many/few fans do show up, they pay and provide reaffirmation as to who these two are. The latter is just as important as the former, I suspect. Don’t judge. Enjoy.
SOME QUESTIONS ANSWER THEMSELVES
Bret Hart was recently quoted thusly: “I think Melina is really creative and imaginative, and she’s an innovator and she comes up with some great matches, I love watching her wrestle. In a lot of ways I think she’s the best wrestler in the world right now.”
Is there any way Bret’s not banging Melina, or has, or wants to? “The best wrestler in the world right now”? That’s insane.
Unless it works. Then, it’s genius.
Mark Madden can be reached at wzmarkmadden@hotmail.com.
