DEEP PURPLE: 'Live At The NEC' To Be Released As Standalone DVD

On September 14, 2002, hard rock pioneers DEEP PURPLE took the stage for a landmark concert at the NEC in Birmingham, England to bid farewell to founding member and keyboard legend Jon Lord.

On August 26, Eagle Rock Entertainment will deliver this very concert with the release of “Live At The NEC” on DVD and digital formats. Previously only available as part of the “Around The World Live” boxed set, this film is being made available for the first time as a standalone DVD.

One of the most emotional concerts in DEEP PURPLE‘s long career, “Live At The NEC” is a unique experience in that it features both their keyboard players on stage — Jon Lord and Don Airey. Lord had announced his retirement earlier that year, and Airey was subsequently brought on board. Airey serves as the principal keyboardist throughout the show, culminating in a solo before the lights drop, and Jon Lord appears for a storming version of “Perfect Strangers”. The two share keyboard duties for the rest of the night, in a fitting passing-of-the-torch moment.

At 109 minutes total, DEEP PURPLE (Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Steve Morse, Ian Paice, Lord and Airey) kick out all the classics: “Smoke On The Water”, “Woman From Tokyo”, “Space Truckin'”, “Highway Star”, “Speed King”, “Lazy”, “Hush” and more. In addition to this fantastic set, “Live At The NEC” includes bonus interviews with Ian Gillan and Roger Glover.

In addition to “Live At The NEC”, Eagle Rock Entertainment will also release two more concert films — “Total Abandon” and “Bombay Calling” — on digital formats on August 26.

“Live At The NEC” track listing:

01. Fireball
02. Woman From Tokyo
03. Mary Long
04. Ted The Mechanic
05. Lazy
06. The Well Dressed Guitar
07. When A Blind Man Cries
08. Space Truckin’
09. Keyboard Solo
10. Perfect Strangers
11. Speed King
12. Guitar Solo
13. Smoke On The Water
14. Hush
15. Black Night
16. Highway Star