The occasion was the 15th birthday party of Russia's giant firm Gazprom, which flew over the veteran British hard rock band to top a gala evening of entertainment -- and to keep the boss happy.

Gazprom chairman Medvedev, who is also the Kremlin's candidate in Russia's presidential election next month, has told interviewers Deep Purple is his favorite band. Officials at the world's biggest gas company are eager to please him. - more on this story

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