DEEP PURPLE - DEEP PURPLE LIVE ALBUM WITHDRAWN

DEEP PURPLE LIVE ALBUM WITHDRAWN

Deep Purple's latest album has been withdrawn after the group told fans not to buy it.

Sony BMG made the decision after lead singer Ian Gillian commented on the poor quality of the record.

Entitled NEC 1993, the double live album was taken from a 1993 gig in Birmingham.

Gillian claims that this was the band's worst ever gig, taking place at a time when he and bandmate Ritchie Blackmore had fallen out and were barely speaking to each other.

"It was one of the lowest points of my life - all of our lives, actually," Gillian told the Today programme yesterday.

He also said he was unaware that the album was to be released.

A statement from Sony BMG said that it was recalling the album and would investigate why Gillian had not known about the release plans.

"Sony BMG is not in the business of releasing albums without the knowledge of the artists," a spokesman from the company said.

"It is in our interests to work with artists, so they can promote their records and continue to work with us."

Veteran rockers Deep Purple rose to the fore in the 1970s when they recorded the classic hit Smoke On The Water.