Keyboards and Memories: The Musical Journey of Don Airey

Keyboards and Memories: The Musical Journey of Don Airey

Don Airey, a talented keyboard player from Sunderland, has been a member of Deep Purple since 2002, taking over from Jon Lord. He has an impressive resume, having collaborated with bands like Jethro Tull, Colosseum II, Whitesnake, and Black Sabbath. Despite his extensive discography, he only regrets one album out of the 250-plus he has worked on.

Airey fondly remembers his time with Colosseum II, recalling the amazing days they had touring in Germany. His transition to Deep Purple was not without its challenges, as he admits that feeling comfortable and established in the band is not something that comes easily, given the band's dynamic nature.

While Airey has made significant contributions to albums like Bananas and Rapture Of The Deep, he also reflects on his time with Jethro Tull as a guest keyboardist. Despite not being a full band member, he enjoyed the experience and even had a recent chat with Ian Anderson about their grandchildren.

Among the numerous albums Airey has worked on, he holds a special fondness for the making of Rainbow's Down To Earth in a French château during winter. However, he does have one regretful experience working with a Canadian band called Helix, where disagreements over the use of keyboards led to a frustrating recording process.

In conclusion, Don Airey's illustrious career as a keyboard player has seen him collaborate with some of the biggest names in rock music. While he has had many memorable experiences and successful projects, there is one album that stands out as a regrettable moment in his otherwise impressive discography.