California Jam Photo Book

“Say ‘Here’s a song for ya that’s been on Ritchie’s Revox for a couple of years and… smile!'” David Coverdale’s team captured him signing the pages for the California Jam Photo Book late last year, and here he is doing it to prove the fact. There are also now TWO copies signed by Blackmore, as Coverdale called him up and asked if he would sign one for his lad. We can do no better than let the man himself explain: “Richie, God bless him, has just signed the big “California Jam” book for my son and his beautiful wife Candice was very gracious in sending it back to me. In fact, let me tell you this. I´m sitting next to Doug Aldrich and I´m e-mailing on my iPad with Richie and my iPhone suddenly gets a text from Jimmy Page, and Doug Aldrich goes “Fuck man! Nobody on the planet can say they´re e-mailing Richie Blackmore and texting Jimmy Page at the same fucking time!”. Richie said to say hi to Jimmy and Jimmy sent a hello back and I was like an international fucking operator here.” (laughs)

Update March 8 2013 • The California Jam Photo Biography book project took a twist recently. As most fans probably know, the special edition was signed by four of the band (including Jon), with a donation from each sale destined for Jon’s chosen charity. Ritchie Blackmore was approached by the publishers, but declined to join in. However he did agree to sign ONE copy and eventually this sheet found it’s way back to the publisher. This has now been bound into a one-off edition of the book, and has been donated to Jon’s family. The plan is that this unique copy will be auctioned by them later in the year, possibly to tie in with the memorial concert in October, with all the proceeds going to the charity. I’m told that one or two well heeled individuals have already expressed an interest.

Update Dec 10th • We have a preview of the book on the site now, with a slideshow option to see how some of the spreads look for real.

Update Dec 3rd • The California Jam book is now on the litho presses and binding is set to commence later this week. Simon was down at the printers last week to watch the presses roll and will report shortly. However please note that the signed edition is close to selling out, so move if you want to grab one.

UPDATE : OCTOBER 22. 2012. RS Publishing have released the news that the upcoming book Deep Purple – California Jam – The Photo Biography [signature edition] has been signed by four members of Deep Purple Mk 3. As we know, originally Jon Lord signed pages just weeks before his death. Having heard about this, Ian Paice signed copies as well. From there the word spread and a fortnight ago David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes came on board to add their signatures. The publishers have contacted all people who pre-ordered to let them know the exciting news a few days ago (we’ve had to sit on this for days!). It’s unprecedented in Deep Purple history and as we know one which sadly can never be repeated.
In the meantime the book layout and photo selection process is now well underway and we hope to be able to show approved page layouts before long.

http://www.caljambook.co.uk

UPDATE : OCTOBER 17. 2012. Amazing developments on the book front confirmed to me on Monday this week. There should be an official announcement from the publisher any day, just as soon as they get over their jet-lag… In the meantime shown ABOVE is the prototype of the signature edition.

UPDATE : OCTOBER 2. 2012. Details of the limited edition signed by Jon were sent out last Friday and it had half sold out by the end of the weekend. Please trust me on this if you are having doubts as there will be more announcements in the next fortnight which will make this a really unique item.

UPDATE : September 21. 2012. We are able to announce the news that a special edition of this book will be available signed by Jon Lord. It has been a hugely difficult decision by the publishers how to handle this announcement as you will understand. Jon signed the pages sat in his kitchen while playing some of his favourite classical music…  After talking to members of Jon’s family and his manager, this edition will proceed and a donation to a cancer charity will be made in his memory. From what I understand, Jon was quite poorly at the time so Mark at the publishers suggested cancelling the signing, but Jon said he was determined to do it. A newsletter explaining more is going out to all those who pre-registered and they will be given the first option on what will be a unique and very special edition. You can read more about the book using the link below.

NEWS • A massive book on Deep Purple at The California Jam has been officially announced. 300 pages of rare and unpublished photographs, plus memorabilia and more, along with a lengthy historical text. The book is being co-ordinated by DTB. I think that arguably Deep Purple’s most famous concert deserved appropriate treatment  and the more people I contacted the more material began to turn up. One photographer alone is contributing over 150 shots many of which haven’t been seen before. Both the guy who had to give Blackmore the countdown and the ABC cameraman have been traced for a chat. There are some amazing documents as well from the archives of a noted American collector, from the initial booking of the band to the bills to repair the camera. Obviously working with a third party to publish the Whitesnake biography was a bit of a learning experience, so on this one we plan to have both the impressive big format hardback edition and a more affordable version, and orders will not be taken until we’re happy it is on schedule.
In the meantime there will be progress reports here the publisher’s have set up a special webpage: http://www.caljambook.co.uk  – where you can register an interest in the book, get updates and also pre-release price deals nearer the time. The plan is to have it out in the Autumn.As always, anyone with any material about the show is welcome to get in touch, whether you were there as a fan in the crowd or working on the crew.