Don Airey

Early Life

Donald Smith Airey, born on June 21, 1948, in England, was inspired by his father, Norman Airey, to pursue music from a young age. He began classical piano training at the age of seven, which laid the foundation for his future career. Airey furthered his education in music by earning a degree from the University of Nottingham and a diploma from the Royal Northern College of Music, where he studied under Ryszard Bakst. After his studies, he formed a band and worked on P&O cruise liners, traveling the world and honing his craft.

Career

Airey's professional journey took off in the early 1970s when he moved to London and joined Cozy Powell's band Hammer in 1971. He later became a key member of the influential jazz rock band Colosseum II in 1975, collaborating with notable musicians like Gary Moore. His career continued to flourish as he joined Ritchie Blackmore's band Rainbow, contributing to hit albums such as "Down to Earth" and "Difficult to Cure". In the 1980s, Airey worked with Ozzy Osbourne, participating in the iconic "Blizzard of Ozz" album and the subsequent tours. He also played with Jethro Tull and contributed to Whitesnake's multi-platinum album. Since 2002, he has been the keyboardist for Deep Purple, following the retirement of Jon Lord.

Personal Life

Airey resides in South West Cambridgeshire with his wife, Doris, and their three children. His family faced a significant challenge in 1992 when his son suffered from a serious illness, prompting Airey to reduce his musical activities until 1995. A passionate supporter of Sunderland A.F.C., he is also currently writing a book about his extensive experiences in the music industry, reflecting on his remarkable journey as a musician.