Pavarotti to sing Deep Purple classic

Legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti will lend his voice to a new version of Deep Purple classic Smoke on the Water for a new retrospective album covering the 40 year career of rocker Ian Gillan.

Pavarotti, aged 69, has performed with the band in the past - and enjoys a friendship with Deep Purple singer Gillan - but won't be joining them in the studio.

Instead, Pavarotti will record his vocals on the new version of the 1972 track in his homeland of Italy.

An insider says: "Pavarotti is expected to record his vocals in Italy and then have them blended with Ian's."