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It's good to be back in Indonesia: Deep Purple's Ian Gillan
"Of course it's nice to come back. A lot has changed in Indonesia since 1975," Gillan said, referring to the year Deep Purple first performed in Jakarta, during which one of their hired bodyguards, Patsy Collins, was killed when he tumbled down an elevator shaft.
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Deep Purple's lead singer Ian Gillan speaks during a press conference in Surakarta, Central Java, on Thursday. (The Jakarta Post/Muhammad Ismail/Timlo)
L
ead singer of legendary British rock band Deep Purple Ian Gillan told a press conference in Surakarta, Central Java, on Thursday that after 48 years the band was happy to be playing again in the country.
"Of course it's nice to come back. A lot has changed in Indonesia since 1975," Gillan said, referring to the year Deep Purple first performed in Jakarta, during which one of its hired bodyguards, Patsy Collins, was killed when he tumbled down an elevator shaft.
Deep Purple is scheduled to stage its live show on Friday night at the Surakarta Muhammadiyah University (UMS) auditorium.
In a short video posted on the band's social media accounts, Gillan invited President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, known to be an avid rock fan, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo and Surakarta mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka to see the live performance.
Gibran has said that organizers for the show did not provide a free ticket for Jokowi and that he had to purchase it himself.
For the Surakarta gig, Deep Purple will be reunited with Indonesia's longest-running rock band, God Bless, which will open the show. God Bless, fronted by legendary singer Ahmad Albar, opened Deep Purple's gig in Jakarta in 1975.
When asked about sharing the bill with God Bless once again, Gillan said he was thrilled. "It's amazing to be able to see them again here," the 77-year-old singer said.
