Ian Paice singer/pianist Tony Ashton, Deep Purple organist Jon Lord, guitarist/vocalist Bernie Marsden and bassist Paul Martinez recorded one album, "Malice in Wonderland" and they played only five live shows. It was put on hold in 1977, halfway through recording the group's second album. They subsequently broke up, allegedly because Tony Ashton only felt at home playing live shows in little clubs. In August 1979, Paice was asked by David Coverdale to join Whitesnake on the Japanese Tour for the "Lovehunter" album. He stayed with the band for almost three years. He appeared on the Whitesnake albums "Ready an' Willing" (1980), "Live...in
Jim Paice 1973–79, he was a farmer and contractor. From 1979–87, he was Training Manager at Framlingham Management and Training Services. At United Framlingham Farmers Ltd, he was non-executive Director from 1987–89, then Director from 1989–1994. From 1976 until 1987, he was on Suffolk Coastal District Council, becoming the youngest ever chairman in 1983. Paice married Ava Patterson in 1973. They have two sons. Paice contested the Caernarfon seat for the Conservatives in the 1979 general election but lost to incumbent Dafydd Wigley of Plaid Cymru. At the 1987 general election he was chosen by the Conservatives to replace their incumbent member