DEEP PURPLE
DEEP PURPLE is an English group founded early in the 60’s.
There have been four formations of DEEP PURPLE and the original came into February 1968, primarily at the instigation of Jon Lord and Ritchie Blackmore, with drummer Ian Paice, plus a singer and a bassist.
These two were later replaced by Ian Gillan and Roger Glover and it is this formation which is most famous:
Ritchie Blackmore, lead guitarist, born 14th April 1945 in Weston-Super-Mare, studied classical guitar from the age of 11. Later He began to work with groups and was in great demand as a session musician whilst still in his early teens. Ritchie Blackmore Has been recently (1995) substituted by one of the best guitarists in the world: Steve Morse.
Ian Gillan, vocalist, born 19th August 1945 in Hounslow, Mdx. Was a member of several groups before joining DEEP PURPLE. Writes lyrics and poetry.
Roger Glover, bass guitarist, born 30Th November 1945 in Brecon, South Wales. He spent two years at art college before deciding to make a career in music.
Jon Lord, born June 9Th 1941 in Leicester. Has a fully-trained musical background and intended to have a classical career. Spent Three years at drama school and then returned to music and worked with several groups before forming DEEP PURPLE.
Ian Paice, born 29th June 1948 in Nottingham. Is the group’s youngest member. One of Britain’s top drummers with amazing original technique.
Later formations included Tommy Bolin, the ace American guitarist and the vocalist David Coverdale.
The group became great favourites in the U.S.A. with their first single "HUSH", but since then they have made frequent tours and become greatly successful world-wide, and really need no write-up.
Most of their songs are written by all five members of the group working together but in 1969 Jon Lord wrote "CONCERTO FOR GROUP AND ORCHESTRA" which was performed at Royal Albert Hall by DEEP PURPLE and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and a year later he wrote another work for the group and orchestra called "THE GEMINI", both of which were highly successful.
He has also written film scores.
DEEP PURPLE broke up in July 1976 and the various members went their own ways – among them David Coverdale who began a solo career and then formed a band called WHITESNAKE whilst Ian Paice and Jon Lord teamed up with Tony Ashton and Bernie Marsden to form Paice, Ashton and Lord (PAL).
Among their most famous songs I particularly like:
SMOKE ON THE WATER
HIGHWAY STAR
SPACE TRUCKIN’
BLACK NIGHT
TED THE MECHANIC
WOMAN FROM TOKYO
I like these songs for their rhythm, because it’s very strong.
I have known SMOKE ON THE WATER since I discovered DEEP PURPLE because it’s their best song, and I play this song with my group, on the contrary I knew songs like SPACE TRUCKIN’ or TED THE MECHANIC only recently when my mother gave me their most famous album "Made in Japan" which contains their live performance in Tokyo, recorded in 1972, and I like it very much.
Even if they are no longer young, nowadays they still have a great success all over the world.
written by Angelo Sala 3^B
