Recording Deep Purple’s Turning to Crime When fans and critics talk about the pantheon of British greatness in heavy-rock drumming, there are the beatmasters, such as John Bonham, Ginger Baker, Keith Moon, Cozy Powell, Phil Rudd, Bill Ward, and so on. Then, there are a select few—the complete players—who can put the icing on the cake with massive chops on top to compliment the bottom end. Before anyone else, Ian Paice of Deep Purple did this with blazing speed, dexterity, articulation, and precision. As far as feel is concerned, Paice owns it, and he has defined the word “heavy,” rhythmically speaking, for more than a half century. With the passing of time, his passion for the instrument remains undaunted. He is both focused and fearless, but also with a self-effacing sense of humor—traits that have led to his amazing longevity in a perilously short-term occupation. Paice was named Modern Drummer’s […]

November 2021 Issue