Why Deep Purple Was One Of The Greatest Rock Bands Of The 1970sDeep Purple is the name that belongs to one of the all time great rock bands. The English group's origins date back to 1968 when they first joined forces in Hertford, Hertfordshire. Their unique sound would quickly gain them fame in other countries as well. Most music experts recognize them as being one of the first bands to play heavy metal and hard rock sounds. Their music was known for containing a tremendous amount of raw, explosive power and their ear splitting concerts even earned them a title as the World's Loudest Band. Deep Purple were so good at bringing you up, then down, then blow your head off. All you have to do is listen to Space Truckin. To this day this is my all time song performed LIVE. More on Space Truckin here. Below you can watch a live version of Child in Time. The line-up that is often thought to have been the most successful included Jon Lord on keyboards; vocalist, Ian Gillan; guitarist, Ritchie Blackmore; bass guitarist Roger Glover; and drummer,Ian Paice. This line-up took the stage during 69-73, 84-89 and once again in 93. This was my favorite line-up. They released the Made In Japan album. When I saw them in Anaheim, June 1972, it would be the show that I would use to compare all live shows. I saw the Stones in Boulder just a week after and they didn't compare! Ritchie Blackmore came out dragging his guitar across the Marshall amps right from the get-go, then later he would throw it up in the air. Ian Paice and Roger Glover would keep the beat at a feverish pitch then throw in the keyboard work of Jon Lord. Not many people could hit the high notes that Ian Gillan could, check out Child in Time. I found out later that I could though.
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With more than 100 million album sales to their credit the band has shown that they have the ability to deliver a unique type of music that people want to hear. The first successful hit for the group would happen almost immediately. In 1968 they had a single that reached the number 4 position on the US Billboard Chart. This was a cover of a Joe South song that was titled, Hush. This best seller was one that was featured on the band's debut album Shades of Deep Purple. The band soon released a second album that included covers of Neil Diamond songs. This album would be released in the United States and it was used to introduce Deep Purple to an American audience. Soon after this the band began to tour the US and they would rock the audiences at every show. The record company that had signed Deep Purple went out of business shortly after the release of the group's 3rd album. Luckily, the band was picked up by another recording label and they would forge ahead with classic albums such as Machinehead, In Rock, Made in Japan and Who Do We Think We Are? which were all very successful and of exceptional quality. Ritchie Blackmore became my favorite guitar player. After all, he came up with the world's best known guitar riff: Smoke on the Water. Here's my top-5 of favorite Purple songs including one more great video. However there was just as much turmoil and discontent among band members as there was talent and ultimately the musical talent would be overshadowed. In July 1976 the break-up of the original group was announced publicly. Deep Purple has recreated itself since this time but the sounds are not as emotionally raw as they were during the group's heyday in the 70s. Yes, they made a major contribution to the history of rock 'n' roll and belong in The Rock Hall.
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