March 2002 onwards

Deep Purple Mk VIII  

People involved

Don Airey (kbr); Ian Gillan (vcl); Roger Glover (bss); Steve Morse (gtr); Ian Paice (drm).

After 30+ years, Jon Lord decides to retire from the purple ranks. His shoes are now filled by the eminent Don Airey. Their first album, Bananas, was recorded in early 2003.