‘You’re My God,’ Japan PM Tells Deep Purple Drummer
Yuichi Yamazaki/Pool Photo via AP
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took a brief pause from her official duties on Friday to welcome members of the legendary British rock band Deep Purple during a visit to Tokyo, meeting them at the Prime Minister’s Office in what she described as a long-awaited moment for a lifelong fan.
Greeting the group warmly, Takaichi expressed excitement at finally meeting the band she has admired for decades, telling them she had followed their music since childhood. The encounter had a light and enthusiastic tone as she welcomed the musicians into a guest room setting and spoke about their lasting influence on her life.
A particular focus of the meeting was drummer Ian Paice, whom the prime minister praised for his role in shaping rock history. She presented him with a pair of Japanese-made TAMA drumsticks that she had signed, highlighting her personal connection not only as a fan but also as a former musician herself. Paice responded in a friendly manner, reflecting on their shared appreciation for drumming.
Takaichi, known for her interest in hard rock and heavy metal, shared details of her long relationship with the genre. She said she first discovered Deep Purple’s music as a child, including their influential 1972 album Machine Head, which features classic tracks such as “Highway Star” and “Smoke on the Water.” She also noted that during her school years she participated in music groups—playing keyboard in a Deep Purple tribute band in junior high school before later switching to drums during her university years.
She also mentioned other bands she has admired over time, including Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden. In a lighthearted remark, she joked about still turning to Deep Purple’s song “Burn” as a way to unwind after disagreements at home, saying the track helps clear her mind.
The visit provided a brief moment of relaxation for Japan’s first female leader, who is known for maintaining a demanding schedule while managing a range of domestic and international pressures, including tense relations with China, ongoing global concerns related to the Middle East conflict, and rising costs affecting households in Japan.
Despite those challenges, she used the occasion to express admiration for the band’s long career and continued creativity, offering encouragement ahead of their upcoming tour stop at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan.
Deep Purple’s relationship with Japan stretches back decades. Their historic connection includes the landmark 1972 live album Made in Japan, recorded during one of their earliest tours in the country. The record became a major international success and is still widely regarded as one of the most influential live rock albums ever released.
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