Cry Free - Deep Purple Cover Band

Cry Free - Deep Purple's Favourite Tribute
The title above has a double meaning. On one hand, it means that Cry Free is a real favourite among fans of Deep Purple, and over its 18-year career its name has become almost synonymous with the name of the inspiring band. Cry Free's position in Hungary is so strong that no other band has even attempted to launch another Purple tribute act in the country. Abroad, however, there's a large number of "competitors", but the uncompromising Hungarian band definitely belongs to the top, which they have proven many times since they started touring internationally in 2001. During those 12 years they have played in 8 different countries of Europe and even got as far as Asia, presenting one of the world's most authentic Deep Purple tribute show in the original line-up, with the original instruments (including the Purple trademark 60-year-old and 200-kilo Hammond organ, and even Ian Gillan's congas), and with a frontman that incredibly resembles the original vocalists in terms of both looks and sound.

Cry Free - Deep Purple's Favourite Tribute
The other interpretation of the title "Deep Purple's Favourite Tribute" is even more exciting as it refers to the sensational fact that members of the original Deep Purple also prefer to work with Cry Free, whenever they are in need of a band for their solo projects. The best example is ex-Purple keyboardist Jon Lord, who -until his death in 2012 -regularly toured the world with Cry Free, performing the first ever piece written for a rock band and a symphony orchestra, his very own Concerto for Group and Orchestra. This breakthrough composition had first been staged in 1969 by members of Deep Purple and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of London, and 40 years later, taking the places of the legendary musicians behind Lord, and facing some of the best symphony orchestras around the world, Cry Free were honoured to perform it.

Cry Free - Deep Purple's Favourite Tribute
But the only all-time Deep Purple member, Ian Paice, who still rocks in the legendary band, also chose Cry Free to play with him, when his drum clinic world tour reached Hungary. The third Deep Purple member to perform with the Hungarian tribute was founding bassist, Nick Simper, who keenly accepted Cry Free's invitation to play with them in Hungary's biggest rock club, Wigwam, in May 2010. To push the boundaries of a Purple tribute further out, Cry Free have shared the stage with ex-Uriah Heep keyboardist/songwriter Ken Hensley three times as well, and also joined drummer Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Scorpions...) in his drum clinic performance to play a set of Rainbow songs. The number and quality of these cooperations is absolutely unprecedented in the tribute scene, and it reveals more about the level of this act than anything else. Still, the best recommendation is probably what members of the "real" Deep Purple and their legendary contemporaries think about their followers:


Cry Free - Deep Purple's Favourite Tribute
Ian Paice, introducing the band to the crowd:
"You'll love this, 'cos these guys are good!"

Jon Lord, after the first rehearsal with Cry Free in Budapest:
"I've had concerts that weren't as good as this rehearsal."

Jon Lord, in Bratislava, after his Slovakian musicians failed to play the challenging Concerto at the rehearsal and Cry Free hurried to the rescue:
"Thank you for saving my concert."

Nick Simper, after the gig in Budapest:
"Cry Free is the nearest thing to Deep Purple."

Cry Free - Deep Purple's Favourite Tribute
Jon Lord, in the Hungarian city of Győr:
"I haven't worked with many better musicians than you."

Ken Hensley, in an interview:
"These guys play very well and with a lot of passion, you can feel the power in what they do. It's easy to work with them, because they take their job seriously."

Bobby Rondinelli, after his concert with Cry Free:
"Great singing, great playing, and excellent preparation."