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BARRIE - Deep Purple were the first big international act of the day and they certainly didn't disappoint.
Led by singer Ian Gillan, the legendary Brit hard-rock band opened up with the rousing good-time Highway Star.
Wearing a loose-fitting white shirt and black pants, Gillan waved, paced the stage in his bare feet and seemed quite happy to be in Barrie. Although he has shoulder-length grey locks, Gillan has a strong set of pipes, and he showed them off on the classic Smoke on the Water. Lead guitarist Steve Morse played the opening notes, some of the most familiar in rock, and the crowd was onside, including a head-bobbing Jack Layton and Olivia Chow. "Unbelievable!" Gillan said. "I'm usually not at a loss for words, but I don't know what to say." The band peaked with a rousing Hush, accented by Roger Glover's bass and the fast fingers of keyboardist Don Airey. The band left to one of the loudest ovations of the day.
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