Deep Purple this year in Stuttgart with three original dinosaurs. In the early eighties, I worked as a stage hand in NRW while studying. At that time there was still the old sports hall with a cycling track in Cologne. It was then torn down at the end of the 80s. It had room for about 7000 spectators, it was more like a big club not so much like a stadium but more intimate. With a great sound. I helped set up a lot of concerts. Deep Purple had just reunited and released the "Perfect Stranger" CD. After the sound check in the afternoon, the guys had some time and were bored. They wanted to play some soccer in the concert hall. We stage hand were asked to form the opposing team, five of us. So it happened that I played soccer with (or against?) Ian Gillan, Ritchie Blackmore, Jon Lord, Ian Paice and Roger Glover... At that time, it just happened. I was 24. Today it's the precious memories.
https://www.arte.tv/de/videos/114214-000-A/deep-purple-cory-wong-branford-marsalis/
