Deep Purple in Albania

TIRANA, March.4 – The 60 year old rockers of Deep Purple gave on Sunday an amazing performance in front of a very welcoming and nostalgic Albanian audience. The energy they displayed left nothing to doubt: Music defies age! Fans of all age spans including well-known politician and analysts filled up the Palace of Congresses in order to relive the emotions of the great rock of the past. The group started a European Tour form Tirana. Prime Minister Berisha met with the group members the day after to personally express his gratitude for the performance. The tour will last two years and will promote the album “Rapture of the deep”. Deep Purple was formed in London in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered one of the pioneers of heavy metal and hard rock. The tickets to the concert in Tirana cost almost 40 euros, a pricey entertainment which was nevertheless sold out three weeks before the concert was due. Some hit singles of the group such as “Soldier of fortune” and “Child in time” are loved and known by virtually all the Albanian audience. The band has gone through many line-up changes, including the band split for eight years and two reunions. Their second line-up, regarded as the “classic ” featured Ian Gillan (lead vocals), Ritchie Blackmore (guitar), Jon Lord (keyboard), Roger Glover (bass guitar) and Ian Paice (drums).