Japanese Metal Fan, And PM, Squees Over Deep Purple Visit

I don’t blame her, even though there is no Jon Lord (greatest rock keyboard player ever) nor Ritchie Blackmore. Deep Purple’s Maid In Japan is one of the greatest live rock albums, and them traveling to Japan to tour was a huge deal for rock bands back in 1972

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi thrilled by Deep Purple’s visit to her office

Japanese Prime MinisterSanae Takaichi took a short — and happy — break on Friday as she hosted legendary British rock band Deep Purple in Tokyo as a longtime admirer.

“Welcome to Japan … Uh-oh, I can’t believe Deep Purple are here,” Takaichi said as she walked into a guest room at the Prime Minister’s Office with open arms and all smiles to welcome the band members. “I have always admired Deep Purple.”

“You’re my god,” Takaichi told drummer Ian Paice, presenting him with a set of Japanese-made TAMA drumsticks she had signed. “You’re a drummer, we are friends,” Paice told her.

Paice was really there for the biggest years. Also, how many songs, including lyrics, were written as a collaboration between all the members.

Takaichi is a hard rock and heavy metal music fan and was an avid drummer in her college days.

The prime minister explained her history as a Deep Purple superfan for more than half a century. At elementary school, she was already listening to “Machine Head,” the band’s 1972 album featuring top hits like “Highway Star” and “Smoke on the Water.”

In junior high school, she played the keyboard in a Deep Purple cover band, then as a university student she switched to drums, she said.

“Nowadays, when I have a fight with my husband, I play drums on ‘Burn’ and put a curse on him,” Takaichi joked. She has previously noted “Burn” as one of her favorite songs, saying it “clears my mind.”

It’s funny, because for the longest time I didn’t realize that was David Coverdale singing on Burn.

“I express my deepest respect for you for making rock history and continuing to take on new challenges and producing even more compelling music today,” Takaichi said, wishing them a successful tour beginning Saturday in Tokyo.

When it comes to rock/hard rock OGs, that would include Purple. Their best of album, Deepest Purple, was the first cassette I bought with my own money. Here’s my favorite Purple song