If you were hoping Deep Purple would be announcing one last emotional farewell tour complete with tears, fireworks and endless “final ever” posters… don’t hold your breath, butt.
Legendary bassist Roger Glover has made it crystal clear that he’s not a fan of farewell tours, calling them “a cheap publicity thing.” And while plenty of classic rock acts are embracing holograms and digital recreations, he’s also made it known that the idea of avatars leaves him completely cold.
🤘 No Farewell Tour Thanks
As more and more iconic bands announce “last ever” tours, only to return a few years later, Roger Glover isn’t buying into the trend.
The Deep Purple legend believes farewell tours often become more about marketing than genuinely saying goodbye, describing them as “a cheap publicity thing.”
It’s a refreshingly honest take from a musician who’s spent decades touring the world without relying on retirement announcements to fill venues.
That doesn’t necessarily mean Deep Purple will tour forever, but it does suggest the band would rather keep playing while they’re enjoying it than build an entire campaign around one final lap.
👾 Don’t Expect Digital Deep Purple
Another trend Roger isn’t keen on is the growing use of virtual performances and digital recreations of legendary artists.
With shows such as ABBA Voyage proving hugely popular, and more artists exploring avatar technology, Glover admitted the concept simply isn’t for him.
In fact, he described avatars as “tacky,” making it pretty clear he’d rather fans experience the real thing than a computer-generated version.
For a band whose reputation has been built on explosive live performances and world-class musicianship, it’s perhaps no surprise that Roger believes nothing can replace genuine musicians standing on stage.
🔥 Keeping It Real
Deep Purple have always done things their own way, and Roger Glover’s comments continue that tradition.
Rather than chasing industry trends or cashing in on nostalgia, his view is that live music should remain authentic, unpredictable and human.
In an era where farewell tours, holograms and AI-generated performances are becoming increasingly common, it’s a reminder that some rock legends still believe the best concert experience is the simplest one—real musicians, real instruments and a loud amplifier turned up to eleven.
🎤 The Riff Report Says…
Love them or hate them, Roger Glover certainly isn’t afraid to speak his mind.
Whether fans agree with his opinions on farewell tours or digital avatars, there’s something refreshing about a rock legend refusing to follow the latest industry trends.
As long as Deep Purple keep delivering incredible live performances, most fans would probably agree they’d rather see the real band on stage than watch a digital version pretending to be them.
Long may the riffs continue.
