Deep Purple

Deep Purple is the name of a British rock group, and is also the name of a song composed by Peter De Rose, from which the band may have borrowed its name. They are one of the first and most famous hard rock bands, and are considered pioneers of heavy metal.

The Dawn of Purple

In 1968, the group Roundabout formed, consisting of Ritchie Blackmore on guitar, Jon Lord on Hammond organ, Chris Curtis on vocals, and others.

Related Topics:
Ritchie Blackmore - Jon Lord - Hammond organ - Chris Curtis

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After only a month of rehearsals, Blackmore and Lord split from the group. The two joined forces with vocalist Rod Evans, bassist Nick Simper and drummer Ian Paice. The new band was named Deep Purple.

Related Topics:
Rod Evans - Nick Simper - Ian Paice

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In October 1968, the group had tremendous success in the US with its cover of Joe South's "Hush," taken from their acclaimed debut album Shades of Deep Purple. In 1969, two more successful albums followed: The Book of Taliesyn and Deep Purple, the latter of which contained a symphony orchestra on some tracks. After three albums and extensive touring in the States, it was the inclusion of vocalist Ian Gillan (who replaced Evans) and bassist Roger Glover (who replaced Simper) that created the essential Deep Purple line-up. Initially, this line-up released a landmark album in Concerto for Group and Orchestra a three-part movement written by Lord and performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Malcolm Arnold. It is widely known as the first successful collaboration between a rock band and an orchestra.

Related Topics:
Joe South - Shades of Deep Purple - 1969 - The Book of Taliesyn - Deep Purple - Ian Gillan - Roger Glover - Concerto for Group and Orchestra - London Philharmonic Orchestra - Malcolm Arnold

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