Ian Paice is wildly regarded as one of the best rock-drummers ever. He's been an recording artist for nearly forty years, and he's still going strong! Ian will always be known mainly as the drummer for Deep Purple. But he has done so much more; numerous recording sessions, member of Whitesnake and Gary Moore Band and staging his own drum clinics. But of course, fact is he still remains the one and only drummer Deep Purple ever have had (an accomplishment in it's own right!)

Ian Paice was born in Nottingham, England on 29th June 1948.
Ian first began playing the violin, but after watching old movies which featured drummers like Gene Krupa, Ian made his own drums out of tins and his mothers knitting needles. At the age of 15 Ian’s father, who was a musician as well playing the piano, bought him his first drum kit.
Ian started listening to the popular music at the time, and being inspired by Ringo Starr he bought himself a drum kit just like Ringo’s.

At the age of 17 Ian turned professional with the group The MI 5 (later called "The Maze"). Also in this group was the singer Rod Evans, with whom Ian would later join Deep Purple. The Maze released three singles and an EP.

In 1968 Rod Evans auditioned for a group called Roundabout, the guitarist in Roundabout, Ritchie Blackmore, remembered Ian Paice from touring in with him in Germany and asked him to be the drummer for Roundabout. The band soon changed their name to Deep Purple, and one of the biggest rock groups in history was born!

Deep Purple, consisting of Ian, Rod, Ritchie, organist Jon Lord and bassist Nick Simper recorded three albums together. Deep Purple managed to get some success, especially with the cover of the song ”Hush”.

However in 1969 Rod Evans and Nick Simper were both fired from the group and replaced by Episode Six members Ian Gillan (vocals) and Roger Glover (bass). Their first full-length album together ”In Rock” was a smash-hit, and is still today regarded as one of the most influential rock albums ever. Deep Purples popularity began to rise and the group soon found themselves as one of the biggest rock acts in the world. Building their popularity with albums like ”Machine Head” and ”Live In Japan”, and with songs like ”Black Night” and ”Smoke on the Water".

By the end of 1973 Deep Purple was at their height of their popularity. But there were tension within the group which resulted in singer Ian Gillan quitting and bassist Roger Glover being fired.
Deep Purple however did not fold. Bringing in singer David Coverdale and bassist/singer Glenn Hughes Deep Purple further increased their popularity with the album ”Burn”. Deep Purple made another album with that line-up ”Stormbringer” and one album with guitarist Tommy Bolin called ”Come Taste the Band”, before finally call it day in 1976.

Ian Paice had done some sessions outside of Deep Purple, amongst others he recorded with Eddie Hardin, Pete York and The Velvet Underground. He also co-produced Elf’s self titled debut album together with Roger Glover.
In 1974 Ian played the drums together with Carmine Appice on Ashton & Lord’s ”First Of The Big Bands”. It was together with Tony Ashton and Jon Lord that Ian after the demise of Deep Purple formed the group Paice, Ashton & Lord. They released ”Malice In Wonderland” in 1977. Unfortunately the group didn't’t gain the success they had hoped for, and the group folded before they had completed their second album.

In 1979 Ian attended a Whitesnake concert, and he liked what he saw. So much that he said, ”he wished he was a member of Whitesnake”. Whitesnake bandleader and former Deep Purple singer David Coverdale then immediately offered Ian the gig. Ian Paice consequently joined Whitesnake in the summer of 1979. Whitesnake at this time consisted of three ex-members from Deep Purple: Ian, David and Jon Lord. Ian Paice stayed with Whitesnake until 1982, when he got an offer to play a few concerts with Gary Moore, and on his new studio album. Meanwhile David Coverdale offered Cozy Powell the position an the new Whitesnake drummer, so Ian Paice decided to join Gary Moore on a permanent basis.

Ian Paice stayed with Gary Moore until 1984. In the spring of that year the classic formation of Deep Purple reunited. Ian Paice, Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Jon Lord and Roger Glover once again brought Deep Purple back to life! Since then Deep Purple has kept on going, changing members quite frequently, and now today Ian Paice remains the only original member in Deep Purple.

The past 8 – 9 years Deep Purple seems to have been working as hard as ever, constantly touring the world, releasing numerous live albums and videos. One of the highlights in recent years was the 25th anniversary of the groups “Concerto of group and orchestra”. A much celebrated rendition of the concerto was performed at the Royal Albert Hall in 1999, and subsequently a word tour of the concerto followed.

In spite of Deep Purple's busy schedule Ian Paice manages to find the time to arrange drum clinics, where he entertains the audience with his playing and his anecdotes from all the years in the business. Ian also continues to play on recording sessions. Most notable is the participation on Paul McCartney's 1999 album “Run Devil Run”. He also played some shows with the legendary Beatle promoting the album.

At writing time Deep Purple is set to begin recording their new studio album. And after the album is completed and released, I'm sure they'll head out on yet another world tour.