Deep Purple's Don Airey says guitarists are 'very strange' and 'insecure' people
Harsh but fair?
Last updated 19th Mar 2025
Deep Purple keyboardist Don Airey has quipped that guitar players are “very strange” and “insecure” people.
In a new interview with Rock ‘N’ Roll Grad School to promote his new solo album ‘Pushed to the Edge,’ Don Airey spoke about his role as keyboardist in a rock band while collaborating with guitarists.
76-year-old Airey has worked with an array of eminent guitarists in his storied career, including Ritchie Blackmore, Gary Moore, Tony Iommi, Glenn Tipton, Michael Schenker, Uli Jon Roth, Randy Rhoads, Steve Morse and John Sykes to name but a few.
“Part of the job of being a keyboard player is you provide the backing, especially in rock, to the guitar player,” Airey explained to Rock ‘N’ Roll Grad School.
“Now guitar players are very strange people. They’re very insecure. The more talented they are, the more eccentric and unsure of themselves (they are) because they don’t really know how they do what they do.”
As Guitar.com reports, he illustrated his point by regaling a story about the late-great Randy California.
“I remember a story about Randy California, who was in a band with Hendrix early on, and he said, ‘Jimi, how are you getting those sounds?’ And Jimi went, ‘I don’t know, man.’ He just didn’t know,” Airey said.
“When you’re a keyboard player, you do know how you do it. So you’ve just gotta take charge of the situation, to a certain extent, without letting the guitar player know and just make him feel comfortable. And that’s part of the thing.”
Featuring the Planet Rock playlisted single ‘Tell Me,’ Don Airey’s sixth solo album ‘Pushed to the Edge’ is released on Friday 28th March 2025 via earMUSIC.
Don Airey’s band on the record features the Nazareth’s Carl Sentance (vocals) and Deep Purple’s Simon McBride (guitars), alongside second singer Mitchell Emms, who made his name on The Voice UK, drummer Jon Finnigan, and bassist Dave Marks.
Don Airey’s ‘Pushed to the Edge’ track-listing:
Tell Me
They Keep on Running
Moon Rising
Rock the Melody
Flame in the Water
Out of Focus
Power of Change
Girl from Highland Park
Godz of War
Edge of Reality
Finnigan's Awake
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