A new compilation of their best songs for a band like Deep Purple may sound a little... unuseful. In 2010 Universal Music Enterprise decided to publish an "Icon" series of the most popular artists in music history. At the start of 2012 it's Deep Purlple's turn, their Icon compilation is published through Mercury Records and contains 5 studio recordings and 6 live recordings of the band's most famous songs. This, as others of the "Icon" series, to use the company's words, promises to offer an "unprecedented value to consumers"; we at MusicAdvisor think that the only reason for this must be to capture the attention of the new generations on the artists and bands that made the history of rock music. If this is the target then let's welcome this and other compilations, because good rock music always deserves support and above all knowledge of its history.
As concerns Deep Purple they seem in a never ending tour in recent years: they've just planned dates in North America for February 2012 and European dates for Summer and Autumn 2012.

“Woe to You Oh Earth and Sea
For the Devil sends the beast with wrath
Because he knows the time is short
Let him who have understanding
Reckon the number of the beast
For it is a human number
Its number is six hundred and sixty six.”

This is probably the most famous and known spoken introduction to a heavy metal song in history. When we hear the first words (on a record, on the radio, on the internet, in a concert) we immediately know Iron Maiden are starting one of their biggest hits. Barry Clayton, the man who peformed this intro died some days ago at the age of 80 in a care home in the UK. He was certainly not fond or interested in heavy metal music, but he was asked for his voice over by Iron Maiden when they spotted this English actor reading ghost stories at Capital London Radio. The much more famous actor Vincent Price (who's unforgettable voice over appears in Michael Jackson's Thriller song) was first contacted for The Number Of The Beast, but his "cachet" was too high for Iron Maiden. Therefore the band, after listening to him on the radio, asked Barry Clayton to... "imitate" Price's voice for their introduction. And that was the most famous spoken introduction to a heavy metal song in history: R.I.P. Mr. Clayton.

Next year will be an interesting one. Leave aside the usual prophecy for the date of end of the world; leave aside the further developments of the economic crisis in which "we all" are living (we always forget that expressions like "we all" or "economic crisis" mean nothing if we think that we can talk about music every day while the majority of human beings have not this chance!!!); let's take some notes as concerns the world we love at MusicAdvisor.
Two of the most important protagonists, passed away many years ago but always massively present in everybody's mind, will be celebrated in 2012 with important exhibitions and events: Elvis Presley will be remembered on the 35th anniversary of his passing away with 3 exhibitions in Graceland, his home in Memphis, from January 5 until the end of March. Jimi Hendrix will have an entire theme park dedicated to his memory in his birthplace, Seattle, the Jimi Hendrix Park.
Watch out for the 2012 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductions, with possible "one-night-but-who-knows" reunions: next year Guns N' Roses with all original members, Faces and Small Faces with Rod Stewart, Red Hot Chili Peppers with John Frusciante.
Something will also surely happen on Radiohead side next year, it's difficult to predict all their movements, will they release one or more digital albums, will they play all new material in their imminent tour? And will the debut album for supergroup Atoms For Peace finally see the light?
After 20 years of abscence, legendary Tom Petty and his Heartbreakers will be on a summer tour all over Europe. And don't forget Black Sabbath reunion, one of the biggest events for sure and Van Halen back with David Lee Roth (album + tour?)!!!  Metallica will probably release a new studio album, in the meantime their next summer live acts will focus on the entire performance of their Black Album of 1991. Mike Portnoy announced an imminent studio album along with Neal Morse and Steve Morse. Superb Italian guitarist Alex Masi has his new work ready.
And... the Rolling Stones? we're still waiting for their 50th surprise!!! This is just a small slice of the music pie we'll eat in 2012. Keep on Rockin' from MusicAdvisor!!!