Former DEEP PURPLE keyboard legend JON LORD comments on press rumours that Deep Purple Mark III will reunite and tour with METALLICA’s Lars Ulrich on drums:

"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 complementary in his comments about DP, 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!

Love, and as peaceful a new year as possible, to all of you."