Heavy metal. The term is typically associated with bands of the late 70 and into the 80s. Deep Purple are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal. The band formed in Hertford, England in 1968, and had a more progressive-rock sound in their early years before becoming the heavy metal mavens we know them to be, beginning in 1970.
While the band started with one lead singer, they began having success with another in Ian Gillan after the release of their second album. In 1972, Gillan and bandmates struck gold with the band’s overwhelmingly massive song, Smoke on the Water.
Also in 1972, the band made a world record, not thanks to record sales, but for being the loudest. Yes, the Guinness Book of World Records dubbed them the ‘globe’s loudest band’ for their rockin’ concert at the Rainbow Theater in London.
And, did you know the band is considered ‘unholy?’ Deep Purple, together with 70s heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, were named the ‘unholy trinity of British hard rock and heavy metal in the early to mid-seventies.’
While most bands start and stop and lose members along the way, Deep Purple has the distinction of changing out members of the band in a major way nearly four times in their life. Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore went on to Blackmore’s Rainbow, while Gillan was replaced in the band by David Coverdale. Others joined bands such as Whitesnake and Black Sabbath.
Through it all, the band has sold over 100 million copies of their albums, worldwide. Save for a hiatus from 1976 to 84, they are still commercially active, touring massive sets of dates across the world and enjoying global success with a new album “Infinite” back in 2017.
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