DEEP PURPLE drummer Ian Paice performed with is band IAN PAICE AND FRIENDS at Reading's Rivermead Leisure Centre in the U.K. on Friday, January 13. The event was promoted by DrumWright, whose Managing Director Chris Wright explains, "Over the years we have run many events for drummers where top players demonstrate their skills, offer technical tips and hints, and answer questions. We wanted to do something different this time: we wanted Ian to demonstrate his skills in a musical context, with other top musicians."

Former WHITESNAKE and current M3 bassist Neil Murray was one of those musicians. He explains, "Bernie (Marsden, ex-WHITESNAKE), Ian, myself and Don Airey (DEEP PURPLE) played, with Nick Fyffe (HARD-FI touring bassist, ex-JAMIROQUAI) on a couple of songs and Chris Wright's son also playing guitar on a couple. About 1,000 people, mostly drummers it seems, attended. Also in attendance were Mick Ralphs (BAD COMPANY), Mark Brzezicki (BIG COUNTRY) and Anna-Frid Lyngstad (ABBA)."

The following songs were played: "Don't Break My Heart Again", "Walking In The Shadow Of The Blues", "Fool For Your Loving", "Here I Go Again", "Burn"/"Smoke On The Water" medley, various B.B. KING and FREDDIE KING blues songs, plus "You Can't Do That" by THE BEATLES.

More information can be found at www.drumwright.co.uk.