Deep Purple

Deep Purple
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Deep Purple are a British rock band formed in London in 1968. They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical style has varied throughout their career.

Ritchie Blackmore says his reunion with Deep Purple on Wednesday night, August 12, for a performance of “Smoke on the Water” at Jones Beach near New York City was as emotional for him as it was for fans at the venue — and around the world.

“It was very moving because I went on very quickly and had to play immediately,” Blackmore told Guitar Player via email afterward. “I couldn’t warm up, but I wasn’t there to be playing correct notes. I was there to see old friends. I hadn’t seen in 40 years and were all getting older. I think we realized it could be the last time we see each other, maybe.”
Deep Purple are a British rock band formed in London in 1968. They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical style has varied throughout their career. Originally formed as a psychedelic rock and progressive rock band, they shifted to a heavier sound with their 1970 album Deep Purple in Rock.Deep Purple have been referred to as being part of the “unholy trinity of British hard rock and heavy metal in the early to mid-’70s”, alongside Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.[6] Listed in the 1975 Guinness Book of World Records as “the globe’s loudest band” for a 1972 concert at London’s Rainbow Theatre, they have sold over 100 million records worldwide.
Deep Purple have also generated several successful spinoff bands, including Rainbow, Whitesnake, and Gillan.
Deep Purple were founded by vocalist Rod Evans, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, bassist Nick Simper, keyboardist Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice. After three studio albums, the “Mark I” line-up came to an end in 1969 when Evans and Simper were dismissed from the band and replaced by Ian Gillan and Roger Glover respectively, forming the classic “Mark II” line-up of Deep Purple.
Blackmore — who had not performed with Deep Purple since November 15, 1993, in Helsinki, Finland — says the “hell freezes over”–caliber event was his idea. In fact, he indicated the guest appearance would be happening during a live-streamed conversation with his wife and Blackmore’s Night bandmate Candice Night the evening before the Jones Beach concert.

Deep Purple website

Last edited: 09/16/2028

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