Deep Purple

Deep Purple

Deep Purple are a British rock group formed in 1968 and based in Hertford, United Kingdom. They work across hard rock, classic rock, heavy metal, blues rock, progressive rock and rock, and are widely associated with the development of British hard rock and heavy metal in the early 1970s. Their early sound has also included psychedelic rock, and they move from a more psychedelic and progressive approach into a heavier style as their career develops.

Formation and early line-up

The original line-up consists of Rod Evans on vocals, Ritchie Blackmore on guitar, Nick Simper on bass, Jon Lord on keyboards and Ian Paice on drums. This formation, later known as the Mark I line-up, records three studio albums before Evans and Simper are replaced in 1969 by Ian Gillan and Roger Glover, creating the Mark II line-up.

Major albums and line-up changes

With the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the band records Concerto for Group and Orchestra in 1969. The Mark II line-up then records Deep Purple in Rock in 1970, Fireball in 1971, Machine Head in 1972, Who Do We Think We Are in 1973, and the live album Made in Japan in 1972. These releases are central to the band’s commercial success and influence.

Gillan and Glover leave in 1973 and are replaced by David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes, forming the Mark III line-up, which records Burn and Stormbringer in 1974. Blackmore leaves in 1975 and is replaced by Tommy Bolin for Come Taste the Band that same year. The group disbands in 1976, and Bolin dies later that year.

Reformations and later activity

The Mark II line-up reunites in 1984 and records Perfect Strangers in 1984 and The House of Blue Light in 1987. Gillan is dismissed in 1989 and replaced by Joe Lynn Turner, who records Slaves and Masters in 1990. Turner departs in 1992 and Gillan returns for The Battle Rages On... in 1993. During the following tour, Blackmore leaves again in 1993, first replaced temporarily by Joe Satriani and then permanently by Steve Morse.

The Mark VII line-up of Paice, Lord, Gillan, Glover and Morse records Purpendicular in 1996 and Abandon in 1998. In 2002, Jon Lord retires and Don Airey takes his place, leaving Ian Paice as the only remaining original member. The Mark VIII line-up of Paice, Gillan, Glover, Morse and Airey lasts for twenty years and produces six studio albums. In 2022, Morse leaves after twenty-eight years and Simon McBride joins the band.

Recognition and related acts

Deep Purple sell more than 100 million records worldwide. In 1975, the Guinness Book of World Records lists them as the “globe’s loudest band” after a 1972 concert at the Rainbow Theatre in London. They are also linked with related projects and spinoff bands including Rainbow, Whitesnake and Gillan. The band is ranked number 22 on VH1’s Greatest Artists of Hard Rock programme, and a Planet Rock poll places them fifth among the most influential bands. They receive the Legend Award at the World Music Awards in 2008 and are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.

Their releases span Shades of Deep Purple, The Book of Taliesyn, Deep Purple, Deep Purple in Rock, Fireball, Machine Head, Who Do We Think We Are, Burn, Stormbringer, Come Taste the Band, Perfect Strangers, The House of Blue Light, Slaves and Masters, The Battle Rages On..., Purpendicular, Abandon, Bananas, Rapture of the Deep, Now What?!, Infinite, Whoosh!, Turning to Crime and =1.