English rock band Deep Purple, formed in Hertford in 1968, has become a pillar of hard rock and heavy metal music. Known for their ground-breaking hits like “Smoke on the Water”, the band is still revered as one of the most influential rock bands of all time. Here are thirty fascinating facts about this iconic ensemble.
Deep Purple Facts
- Formed in 1968: Deep Purple is an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968.
- Famous Lineup: The band is most famous for its classic lineup consisting of Ian Gillan (vocals), Jon Lord (keyboards), Ritchie Blackmore (guitar), Roger Glover (bass), and Ian Paice (drums).
- Genre Influencers: Deep Purple is often credited as one of the pioneering bands of hard rock and heavy metal, alongside Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.
- “Smoke on the Water”: The song “Smoke on the Water” is one of their most famous tracks, inspired by a real-life fire at a Frank Zappa concert in Montreux, Switzerland. Its iconic riff is one of the most recognizable in rock music.
- Several Lineup Changes: Over its more than 50-year history, Deep Purple has gone through several lineup changes. These lineups are usually referred to as Mark I, Mark II, and so on.
- High Album Sales: Deep Purple has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
- Hiatus and Reunions: The band disbanded in 1976, but they later reunited in 1984 with the classic Mark II lineup.
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: After years of fans campaigning for their inclusion, Deep Purple was finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.
- Ian Paice: Drummer Ian Paice is the only member to appear in every lineup of the band and on every album.
- “In Rock” Album: Deep Purple’s fourth album, “In Rock” (1970), is often considered a landmark in the transition from psychedelic music to heavy metal and hard rock.
- “Child in Time”: Their song “Child in Time”, from the “In Rock” album, is considered a classic, renowned for its powerful vocals and organ-guitar interplay.
- First Album: The band’s first album, “Shades of Deep Purple,” was released in 1968 and included a hit cover of Joe South’s “Hush”.
- Death of Jon Lord: Founding member Jon Lord, known for his innovative fusion of rock and classical music, passed away in 2012.
- “Machine Head” Album: The 1972 album “Machine Head” was a commercial success and contained several of the band’s signature songs, including “Smoke on the Water” and “Highway Star.”
- Pioneering Double Album: Their album “Made in Japan” (1972) is considered one of the first and most influential live hard rock double albums.
- Blackmore’s Departure: Ritchie Blackmore left the band in 1993, leading to a major shift in the band’s sound and direction.
- Performing with Orchestras: Deep Purple has often collaborated with orchestras, as seen in their live album “Concerto for Group and Orchestra,” released in 1969.
- Impact on Future Bands: Deep Purple’s music has had a significant impact on a variety of bands and musicians, from Metallica to Queen and even contemporary musicians.
- Frequent Touring: Deep Purple has been known for their heavy touring schedules, often performing over 200 shows a year during their most active periods.
- Continuous Music Production: As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, Deep Purple was still active and producing music, demonstrating an impressive longevity in a constantly changing music industry.
- “Perfect Strangers” Comeback: The band’s 1984 album “Perfect Strangers” marked a successful comeback for the Mark II lineup after an eight-year hiatus.
- Blackmore’s Night: After leaving Deep Purple, Ritchie Blackmore formed the folk-rock project Blackmore’s Night with his wife Candice Night.
- Deep Purple’s Logo: The band’s logo, featuring the band’s name in a circular design with a Gothic typeface, became iconic and is still associated with the band today.
- Multiple Live Albums: Deep Purple has released numerous live albums throughout their career, including “Made in Japan”, “Nobody’s Perfect”, and “Total Abandon: Australia ’99”, showcasing their reputation as a top live act.
- Success in Japan: The band achieved significant success in Japan, with their live album “Made in Japan” becoming a top seller.
- Heavy Organ Sound: Deep Purple is notable for their use of the organ as a lead instrument, a signature part of their sound especially prevalent in Jon Lord’s playing.
- Cover Songs: In their early years, Deep Purple frequently included cover songs in their albums, such as The Beatles’ “Help!” and “We Can Work It Out”, and Neil Diamond’s “Kentucky Woman”.
- Steve Morse: After Ritchie Blackmore’s final departure in 1993, Steve Morse became the band’s guitarist and has been with them ever since.
- Don Airey: In 2002, keyboardist Don Airey, who previously played with bands like Rainbow and Ozzy Osbourne, joined Deep Purple, replacing Jon Lord.
- Chart Success: Deep Purple had numerous hits on the UK and US charts, with songs like “Smoke on the Water,” “Highway Star,” and “Woman from Tokyo” gaining significant airplay.
