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The story of "Mistreated"

David Coverdale: I recall one day being very embarrassed when Ritchie caught me playing his Strat in the rehearsal room...I was messing around with an idea I'd had...in F#minor...He was very generous with me...and said he had no idea I could play...as up 'til then, I'd been quite happy to let the maestro play guitar, as you can imagine...and then he asked me what the song was...and quite rightfully took over and started to shape it into something which is still remarked on as one of the highlights of the Mark 111 chapter...'Mistreated'...

One of the first songs we set up to mix was 'Mistreated'...Glenn and I were particularly looking forward to hearing how our choir sequence that we recorded for the outro for the song would turn out...I can't remember exactly how many harmony voices we put on it...12...16???...Something outrageous...Anyway...we couldn't believe our ears when Martin solo'd the voices...He dimmed the lights in the studio...and pressed 'play'...My God...it was chilling to hear...no...IT WAS BLOODY MARVELLOUS TO HEAR!!!

When Ritchie came down to hear work in progress...I could hardly wait to play him the outro... Mmm...he seemed completely underwhelmed!!!...I couldn't understand... "You can't hear the guitar solo for the voices..."...he said without even looking at me... You could have heard a pin drop... Martin had no choice, but, to turn the Coverdale-Hughes 'choir' down and highlight Ritchie's outro solo...

I was heartbroken...We ended up burying the voices to the point where it was almost impossible to even hear the drama of the stack 'o' voices Glenn and I had spent a whole night recording...So...I just got up and walked out of the studio without saying anything to anyone...On reflection, he was right, of course...Ritchie was the primary composer...The Riff Merchant...his electrifying guitar playing and his unpredictable live performances were undeniably a major factor in why people flocked to Purple's shows...

Reflections on Burn, April 2004




The guitarsolo in "Burn"

David Coverdale: I walked into the Stone's truck one night as Ritchie was overdubbing some guitar parts on the Bach influenced sequence at the resolve of his 'Burn' solo...He had Martin slow the tape down as he recorded a very high guitar piece...and when they played it back at the normal pitch Ritchie turned to me and asked me what I thought...Without thinking I said it sounded like a bouzouki...Well...you could have sliced the atmosphere with a knife!!!...Apparently, you do not say things like that to Ritchie...and live to tell about it...After a deafening silence...he told Martin to play it back again...then he said..."He's right...it does sound like a bloody bouzouki...Wipe it off!!!"...From then on I decided to be honest with Mr Blackmore...and I think he appreciated it...for a time, anyway...

I had been up pretty much most of the night writing tons of lyrics for what became 'Burn'...I joked later that I was so enthusiatic that I wrote at least a dozen versions of the song!!!...Not quite true, but only a slight exaggeration...probably more like 3 or 4 versions...The most memorable for me was called...wait for it...'The Road'!!!...So, instead of 'All I hear is...BBBUUURRRNNN!!!"...it was...'Take me dowwwnnn...the ROAAAADDDD!!!"

Reflections on Burn, April 2004




About the candles on the cover of Burn

David Coverdale: Ritchie had cleverly decided that a hat would make him more noticeable...and he was right, of course...Hardly anyone knows who's who on the cover, other than 'is Royal Blackness...

Reflections on Burn, April 2004







The Ouji board

David Coverdale: Another memory from that time at Clearwell was being introduced to midnight seances...Ritchie enjoyed...er...'dabbling'...and after a few pints he talked me into getting involved...and brought the ol' Ouji board out...I didn't feel it was right...and at times I had a hard time keeping a straight face...To be honest I was just trying to part of whatever was going on...After a while, I made my excuses and buggered off...Although some experiences stayed with me...One in particular...I was 'told' I should always wear a belt when near a large body of water...and that I should be sure of this when I was with Glenn...(cue the spooky music!!!)...So far, I'm happy to say...I haven't had any unusual 'encounters' when near a 'large body of water'...(ahem)

Reflections on Burn, April 2004





What do you think of the musical direction your father plays now?

Jürgen Blackmore (son of Ritchie Blackmore): I listen to all sorts of music and I've listened to my father's latest project, allright that's his direction now, we'll have to wait how long this will go on. For me it's very interesting because he plays truly genius guitarmelodies, but I think in the wrong kinda music. Some of the songs I think are very good but to listen to it all day? No thank you!

Deepest Purple Forum, January 2004






When Mr. Joe Lynn Turner dropped by the VH1 Classic studio, he shared with us a ton of great stories about how some classic songs came to be, but the one we found most interesting--how "Stone Cold" came about.

Joe Lynn Turner: Actually, "Stone Cold" came about because Roger Glover, our bassplayer and producer in Rainbow, had a break-up with his wife and he was very stunned by the way it happened. I remember in the hotel [we were staying at] one time he said, "She left me stone cold." He had "stone cold" written down. I kind of sympathized--I was empathetic with him. I went badk to my room and started writing the lyrics to it. When he saw it the next day, he was absolutely astounded and just said, "Well, this tells the story." So, he wrote the "B" section, lyrically, and the rest is history. Funny, when we recorded this song, we were right outside of Montreal. There was an incredible blizzard going on. One whole wall of LeStudio was glass, and you could just see this wind and snow and the icicles--it was incredible. There I was, sitting there "stone cold." That's where the ad-lib line, "...she put me in a deep freeze" came from. So, it's funny how things happen like that.

VH1 Classic, January 2004





How about former Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore

Bruce Payne (manager Deep Purple): He has not been involved with us for 11 years and they have been 11 great years.

Herald Sun Sydney, April 2004








I still wish if you could have made another album with Deep Purple...

Joe Lynn Turner: We should have done so. Rainbow was planned to reunion after Deep Purple's Perfect Strangers due to political, financial reasons. Recently Ritchie asked me to do a duet with Candice. Before coming to Japan (Feb 2004), we exchanged some e-mails. They said, "We prepare the song. It should be all right". I sent HTP, HTP 2 and JLT. They sent me Ghost Of A Rose. It is a very positive sign.

Burrn Magazine, Japan May 2004 issue






Don Airey is with Deep Purple taking the place of Jon. When you and him were in Rainbow... Don did not like..

Joe Lynn Turner: Yeah but I like him. I know the rumor. Don used like Graham, so he may not have much sympathy on me replacing Graham. But I don't understand disliking Ritchie in Ritchie's band. If you are in Ritchie's band, you should do the best to understand him and to cooperate with him as much as possible. Ritchie told me that he liked my singing and looks. I did what was required by Ritchie. You can find our good job from Rainbow songs.

Burrn Magazine, Japan May 2004 issue






What about Ritchie?

Glenn Hughes: Funnily enough I'm singing on this metal opera thing with Candice (Night, Ritchie's wife), I think she plays my wife on it. I haven't spoke to Ritchie in quite awhile. There's another guy that I have a lot of respect for, wacky though, I don't think he'd mind me telling you that (laughs). He's a genius.

Classic Rock Revisited, February 2004