Did we call it, or did we call it? Last week, we told you that the Federal Migration Service had plans to make all visiting Western pop stars acquire work visas to do gigs in Russia. In the same breath, we chided Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice for claiming the new law wasn't such a big deal. To which we said, speak for yourself, Deep Purple. Not every over-the-hill classic rock act is lucky enough to be buddy-buddy with the Russian president. Well, guess who’s playing two shows in Moscow this April? That’s right. Get your lighter ready, Mr. Medvedev.

If it isn't clear already, Deep Purple is not treated as a rock history footnote in the former Soviet Union. The aging quintet from Hertfordshire played eleven sold-out shows in Russia and Ukraine last year, and are surely a boon to the nation's struggling rock arena sector these days. In fact, Muscovites could be forgiven for thinking Deep Purple is a Russian band — or that they have moved to Russia permanently — considering how often they see billboards advertising Purple's gigs. So it's not surprising that their two upcoming shows on April 18 and 19 will be at Moscow's B1 Maximum Club, a venue that holds over 3,000 people. What is puzzling is how they came to enjoy Russia's unflagging support in the first place, even before their number one fan — a man who was six years old when "Smoke on the Water" came out — became head of state.

The president, meanwhile, might not even show up to either concert. Why bother with that when he could just have the boys over for a private show, as he's done in the past? But, here’s what we really want to know: Will Deep Purple be taxed for playing Russia? Do they have some kind of secret dual citizenship arrangement? Are they having any say in the Kremlin's policy decisions? Hush, we are told. Hush.

Deep Purple to Give Two Concerts in Moscow in April [RIA Novosti]