Deep Purple were formed in Hertford, England in 1968 by vocalist Rod Evans, bassist Nick Simper, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, keyboardist Jon Lord, and drummer Ian Paice. From the early works, the band showed an incredible creativity in performing instrumental pieces, but prematurity in songwriting (for more information read Deep Purple Early Years).
Golden Lineup of Deep Purple
When vocalist Ian Gillan and bassist Roger Glover joined the band, Deep Purple found a golden lineup, which released some legendary rock albums. Before the formation of this lineup, Jon Lord had written an orchestral album Concerto for Group and Orchestra, and the new lineup performed it in Royal Albert Hall in 1969 (with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Malcolm Arnold). In addition to its pioneering feature, it is still one of the most influential and best albums in its kind.
After releasing two rock albums, Deep Purple in Rock and Fireball, the band reached an incredible maturity and released the legendary album, Machine Head, which is a perfect album in the realms of hard rock. The album is consisted of 7 tracks, which are all among the legendary rock songs. After releasing Who Do We Think We Are, the severe conflicts between Ritchie Blackmore and Ian Gillan changed the band environment, and Ian Gillan and Roger Glover left the band.
David Coverdale
David Coverdale, who was a novice vocalist, replaced Ian Gillan, and Glen Hughes joined the band as a new bassist. The overall tune of Deep Purple has been somehow changed, but new albums were successful, as David Coverdale was quite good and had his own style (later followed in Whitesnake). Although David Coverdale was a new comer, he took the band leadership by involving in songwriting. After releasing Burn and Stormbringer, Ritchie Blackmore left the band, once again because of personal conflicts, to form his new band Rainbow.
Tommy Bolin, an incredibly talented young guitarist, replaced Ritchie Blackmore in the band. Deep Purple released a new studio album named Come Taste the Band, which was not very successful; but Tommy Bolin was a significant part of a legendary live album namely Made in Europe. Soon after that, Deep Purple were disbanded. David Coverdale formed Whitesnake in which Jon Lord and Ian Paice were temporary members.
Deep Purple Reunion
Surprisingly, five members of the golden lineup (Mark II) reunited to form Deep Purple again in April 1984. In October of that year, they released Perfect Strangers, which has a solid structure as well as Machine Head. The new album was commercially successful, as old fans were surprised by unexpected reunion of Deep Purple. After releasing the second album in this period, The House of Blue Light in 1987, followed by several successful tours, the tensions between Ritchie Blackmore and Ian Gillan, once again, were aggregated, and Ian Gillan left the band.
Joe Lynn Turner, former vocalist of Rainbow, replaced Ian Gillan for recording Slaves & Masters in 1990. Although Ritchie Blackmore was completely satisfied with this album (i.e. similar to his band Rainbow), there was a force for returning Ian Gillan back. Then, the golden lineup was formed again to release The Battle Rages On for the 25th Anniversary of Deep Purple.
Deep Purple without Ritchie Blackmore
Once again the personal conflicts between Ritchie Blackmore and Ian Gillan came to a head, but this time Ritchie Blackmore left the band in November 1993. Steve Morse replaced Ritchie Blackmore, and Deep Purple released two alums in a new tune. The band, once again, performed the Concerto for Group and Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall in September 1999 (this time with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Paul Mann).
In 2002, Jon Lord retired from the band to continue his personal projects (he has already released some solo albums when was in Deep Purple). Don Airey, an experienced rock keyboard (previously played in Rainbow, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne), replaced Jon Lord in Deep Purple to form the last lineup of the band (Mark VIII).
The band released two albums with new keyboardist Don Airey. In general, recent albums of Deep Purple (after Ritchie Blackmore departure) are technically perfect, but not comparable with classic Deep Purple (i.e. full of creative elements). In other words, Deep Purple now mainly rely on technical issues rather than sentimental creativity.
Anyway, Deep Purple are still alive and there is no sign of disbanding in near future. This legendary rock band soon will enter 6th decade of their activity.
For full discography and lineups, see Deep Purple.
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