(Rock News Desk) Christopher Cross is best known for his award-winning easy-listening hits
but he fondly remembers his hard rock background with Deep Purple, Jethro Tull and Led Zeppelin.As a young musician 40 years ago, his first big moment came when he hit the stage with Purple in place of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, who'd fallen ill during a US tour.
"I grew up in Texas and played in a band called Flash. When Deep Purple first came over in 1970, Ritchie got ill," Cross tells Spinner. "A promoter friend of mine told the band I could play guitar, and I did the gig. The promoter offered the crowd their money back but about 80 per cent stayed that was a fun moment." more on this story
