Ian Paice

Ian Anderson Paice (born 29 June 1948) is an English musician, best known as the drummer of the English rock band Deep Purple. As of Jon Lord's departure in 2002, he is the only founding member of the band still performing with the group and the only member to appear on every album the band has released.

The early years

Ian Paice got his first drum kit at 16. He began his professional career in the late 50s playing drums in his father's dance band. The first band he was in was called Georgie & the Rave-Ons, which after being renamed for The Shindigs released their first single featuring 17-year old Ian Paice.
In 1966 Paice joined The MI5, which soon changed its name to The Maze and produced a number of singles, recorded mainly in Italy and France. The band featured Rod Evans, who alongside Paice was to form the original line-up of Deep Purple in February 1968.
During this time Ian Paice was also heavily involved in doing sessions for various artists from the stable of the famous 60s producer Derek Lawrence. He is one of the few well known left-handed drummers.


Whitesnake

After Deep Purple split, Ian Paice went on to form a new supergroup, Paice, Ashton & Lord in 1976. The band, comprising also singer/pianist Tony Ashton, organist Jon Lord, guitarist/vocalist Bernie Marsden and bassist Paul Martinez recorded one album, Malice in Wonderland and they played only five live shows. It was put on hold in 1977, halfway through recording the group's second album. They subsequently broke up, allegedly because Tony Ashton only liked to play live shows in little clubs. Tony Ashton only felt home himself in little clubs.[citation needed]
In 1979, Ian Paice was asked by David Coverdale to join Whitesnake on the Japanese Tour for the Lovehunter album in 1979. He stayed with the band for the next three years. He appeared on the Whitesnake albums Ready an' Willing (1980), Live...in the Heart of the City (1980), Come an' Get It (1981) and Saints & Sinners (1982).
This incarnation of Whitesnake also featured Jon Lord which meant three members of the Mark III lineup of Deep Purple were in Whitesnake during this period. Following musical differences with David Coverdale, Ian Paice left Whitesnake in 1982.


Gary Moore Band
In November 1982 Ian Paice joined Gary Moore for an album date ("Corridors of Power"). It turned out so nicely that Moore's manager came up with the idea of Moore and Paice putting a band together under Moore's name, so that his management would take the business side of the project with Paice having a sizable interest in the band.
The collaboration turned out to be a successful one and produced a couple of albums and extensive tours. Ian Paice left Moore's band in April 1984 to rejoin Deep Purple.


Personal life
Ian Paice is married and has three children: James, Emmy and Calli. His wife, Jacky, is the twin sister of Jon Lord's wife, Vicky. Paice lives with his family in the United Kingdom.
He is almost always seen wearing blue (or occasionally green or purple)-tinted spectacle lenses.