Former DEEP PURPLE keyboardist Jon Lord has commented on rumors of a possible reunion of the DEEP PURPLE Mk III lineup featuring a special guest appearance by METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich.

In separate interviews for February edition of Classic Rock magazine (issue No.128), David Coverdale (vocals), Glenn Hughes (bass, vocals) and Jon Lord have all indicated that they would be up for playing together again, and all parties have recently been in contact with Ritchie Blackmore (guitar).

Seeing as the only block to the band reforming could be Ian Paice — who, as a member of the current PURPLE, would probably find it difficult and uncomfortable to get involved — it has been suggested that Lars Ulrich could step in on a temporary basis and handle the drum duties on a proposed reunion tour.

"I know there's talk about the fact that if they got Coverdale, Hughes, Lord and Blackmore together, they would have four members who aren't in the current DEEP PURPLE — then they just need a drummer. I'll volunteer myself for that," Lars — a hardcore PURPLE fan who was fortunate enough to see PURPLE Mk III at the band's first show, at the KB Hallen in Copenhagen in 1973 — told Classic Rock. "If they need a drummer, David Coverdale has my number."

Writing on his official web site, JonLord.org, Jon Lord commented on the Classic Rock report by saying, "It all seems like a lot of hot air and wild speculation to me.

"I like Lars and what he has achieved with METALLICA. He's obviously always been very complimentary in his comments about DEEP PURPLE, and I love the story of his famous nine-years-old 'baptism of fire' at our '73 concert in The KB Halle in Copenhagen, but if I was asked to be involved in a 'Mark III' reunion — (which, by the way, I haven't. All I ever said was that the idea had a few good points and a few not-so-good points.) — and I indeed considered that offer, I would not be able to even imagine it without the presence of Ian Paice.

"By the way — I have NOT retired!"

Fan-filmed video footage of Lars Ulrich performing the DEEP PURPLE classic "Smoke on the Water" with Ian Gillan during the PURPLE frontman's solo gig on September 11, 2006 at Slim's in San Francisco can be viewed below.