How Many Times Has Deep Purple Played In Maine?
This was fun to play for Bob Seger's 74th yesterday. We wondered how many times Bob has come here in concert? So let's do it again with Deep Purple! The incredible news that this iconic band is coming back to Blimpville in October got us all trying to remember each time they rocked us live here. Let's face it, this is big friggin' deal here! In the early seventies, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath were the triumvirate of hard rock and heavy metal.
We immediately went our official history book of shows from the Cumberland County Civic Center Box Office. It lists every one in chronological order from the opening in 1977 to 2001. So it absolutely covers the heyday of concerts. After scouring the binder of live rock, we found only one appearance by Deep Purple.
It happened April 16, 1987 on The House of Blue Light tour. This was the best-known classic line-up of the band with Ritchie Blackmore on guitar, Jon Lord on keyboards, Roger Glover on bass, Ian Paice on drums, and Ian Gillan on lead vocals.
I remember spinning this one on the Night Flight 32 years ago! Great song!
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts opened the show promoting their latest album, Good Music.
So the answer is...one. Really? Only once? Yup. We can't find any record of any other Deep Purple appearance in our state.
This October that Maine show count changes to two at Merrill Auditorium. We are way pumped for this one!
Here's what Deep Purple played the only time they ever came to Maine.