1659 - Deep Purple Knocking at your Back Door 1984

The celebrated Mark II lineup of Deep Purple had long refused to get back together simply to cash checks on a reunion tour. Instead, they said there had to be something more to it, something approximating the spark that had once inspired this edition of the group to create moments like “Highway Star” and “Woman From Tokyo.” By 1984, it appeared they’d found it. Still, the arrival of the reunion project Perfect Strangers on Sept. 16 that year came nine years after Deep Purple’s last release and more than a decade since the Mark II configuration had worked together on 1973’s Who Do We Think We Are. The dissatisfaction with that album, ultimately led to the departure of lead vocalist Ian Gillan and bassist/producer Roger Glover. Glover was replaced by bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes, and the group briefly debated continuing as a four-piece band, with Hughes also acting as lead vocalist. However, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore discovered the (then) unknown David Coverdale and liked his blues-tinged voice. This new (“Mark III”) lineup recorded two albums and embarked on a very successful tour in 1974, with the album Burn becoming only the second Top 10 album by the band. However, Blackmore was growing dissatisfied with the new funky and soul elements, and decided to leave in mid 1975. Still, the two original members, keyboardist John Lord and drummer Ian Paice decided to carry on and replaced Blackmore with Tommy Bolin (“Mark IV” lineup) for the studio album Come Taste the Band, which was released mere months before Deep Purple officially announced their break-up in 1976. Bolin tragically died of a drug overdose later that year. A great, pulsating rhythm during the dramatic intro to “Knocking at your Back Door" opens the album, it was quite the breath of fresh, classic rock air during the mid 1980s rock scene, and made an immediate impact with its classic yet modern sound. Contrasting with the picturesque lyrics, the performance, rudiments, are all excellent as is the long guitar lead by Blackmore to finish things up.

1384 - Deep Purple Dead or Alive 1987

Though Deep Purple made quite a comeback with their 1984 reunion album "Perfect Strangers", things inevitably went wrong again in Mark II. Strained tensions that had remained buried during the recording and touring for "Perfect Strangers" unfortunately resurfaced, causing a once again unfriendly atmosphere within the band. As a result, the recording of Deep Purple’s 12th studio album "The House of Blue Light" became difficult, much of it having to be re-recorded. It was released in 1987, three years after it predecessor, and seen as a disappointment among critics and fans alike. "Dead or Alive" shows some great interplay between the ever-strong Blackmore and Lord, making for a great last section of the album.

1301 - Deep Purple Hard Lovin' Man 1970

"Deep Purple in Rock" (also known as "In Rock") is an album by English rock band Deep Purple, released in June 1970. It was their fourth studio album and the first with the classic Mk II lineup. Rod Evans (vocals) and Nick Simper (bass) had been fired in June 1969 and were replaced by Ian Gillan and Roger Glover, respectively. Two power chords kick off the album’s strong closer, before Glover’s bass provides the rhythmic intro. Blackmore’s guitar is folded in, then Paice and Lord join in before the vocals start.

1116 - Deep Purple Lazy 1972

"Machine Head" included tracks that became live classics such as "Highway Star", "Space Truckin'" or this "Lazy".
The song starts out as an instrumental, keyboardist Jon Lord plays an overdriven Hammond organ intro, followed by the main riff and with the solo swapping between him and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. Vocalist Ian Gillan comes in with the vocals later in the song. He also uses harmonica both on the studio version and live. At over 7 minutes long, it is the longest track on the album, and live versions were often extended past 10 minutes.

1000 - Deep Purple Speed King 1970

Deep Purple´s studio album "In Rock" (a name deliberately chosen to distance the rock album from their previous classic concerto) contained the then-concert staple "Speed King". The song was the first song to be written by vocalist Ian Gillan, who wrote the lyrics by writing down a mix of lines from Elvis Presley, Little Richard and Chuck Berry songs in the order that they came to mind. Possibly because of this, the song was never played without him. However, during the years that he has been in the band, it has been one of the band's staple live performances.
The song opens with a guitar solo by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore featuring large usage of the whammy bar. He is soon joined by bassist Roger Glover, organist Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice. The four of them jam together for a minute, before the guitar, bass and drums leave the song, and Lord plays an organ solo.

874 - Deep Purple Bird has Flown 1969

Original lead singer Rod Evans and bassist Nick Simper would be voted out of the lineup soon after the album "Deep Purple" was finished (although they weren't told about it until three months later), organist Jon Lord and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore having perceived limitations in their work in terms of where each wanted to take the band. And between Lord's ever-greater ambitions toward fusing classical and rock and Blackmore's ever-bolder guitar attack, both of which began to coalesce with the session for Deep Purple in early 1969, the group managed to create an LP that combined heavy metal's early, raw excitement, intensity, and boldness with progressive rock's complexity and intellectual scope, and virtuosity on both levels. "Bird Has Flown" strikes a spellbinding balance between all of those elements, and Evans' work is one of the landmark vocal performances in progressive rock.
In 1980 Evans was approached by a management company which specialized in questionably-reformed bands with big names and began to tour under the Deep Purple name accompanied by unknown session musicians.
After several shows ended in near riots, Evans was sued by the management of the real Deep Purple and they were awarded damages of $672,000. As a result of the lawsuit, Evans no longer receives royalties from the band's first three albums.

774 - Deep Purple When a blind man Cries 1972

"When a Blind Man Cries" is a song by British rock band Deep Purple, originally only available as the B-Side of the single "Never Before", released in 1972. It was recorded during the Machine Head sessions in December 1971.
Because guitarist Ritchie Blackmore disliked "When a Blind Man Cries", the band never played the song live during his stay with the band, with the exception of one occasion, on April 6, 1972 in Quebec, Canada, when Blackmore was ill, and the late Randy California from Spirit stood in for him. Ian Gillan performed the song live with Ian Gillan Band during the 70's and 80's.
When Joe Satriani replaced Blackmore during "The Battle Rages On" tour in November 1993, "When a Blind Man Cries" joined the setlist as early as December 5, 1993. The song has become a staple live performance ever since, and has appeared on most of the live albums the band has released with Steve Morse.

733 - Deep Purple Child in Time 1970

One of the tracks I listened as i was a boy and made me love hard rock and powerful stuff forever. Ian Gilland, singing the first lines, is unforgettable, accompanied by Lord, and the rest of the musicians will mesmerize you and take you to unknown places where the universe spreads in red, blue, yellow, and whitish.

525 - Deep Purple Hush 1968

'Hush' appears on Deep Purple´s debut album, "Shades of Deep Purple" deserves recognition for the pioneering nature of the music it contains. Deep Purple Mark I consisted of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, vocalist Rod Evans, organist Jon Lord, drummer Ian Paice and bassist Nick Simper. Rod Evans is a suitable albeit unremarkable singer; he would be dropped in favour of the vastly superior Ian Gillan. With supremely fiery guitar fills from Ritchie Blackmore, funky organ work from Jon Lord and a cocksure vocal from Rod Evans. "Hush" is a typical Sixties song with a warm atmosphere and vocal harmonies. The Hammond solo is excellent, Jon Lord prooved to be a master on this vintage keyboard!.

439 - Deep Purple Highway Star 1972

"Machine Head" is Deep Purple's one true masterpiece of an album, it contains the band's best known song, "Smoke on the Water" and other classics such as "Lazy", "Pictures of Home", or this magnificent "Highway Star". "Machine Head" blends proto-metal density with epic arrangements, resulting in a record that's far more grandiose than the sum of its parts.

278 - Deep Purple Pictures of Home 1972

By the time 1972 rolled around, Deep Purple had built up a pretty strong following, despite the fact that they had to replace their original lead vocalist and a few other band members. Normally, making band member changes will destroy a band, but with Deep Purple, that just wasn't true. The so-called "Mark Two" line-up which featured Ian Gillan is widely known as the finest line-up the band ever had. 1972 was a big year for the band, whose reputation was growing. It's the year they released the "Machine Head" album. "Pictures of home" is a prime example of the classic fast and furious rock Deep Purple created.

253 - Deep Purple Mistreated 1974

Deep Purple's first album since last year's departure of vocalist Ian Gillan and bassist/composer Roger Glover is "Burn". Purple's hard rock sound becomes more boogie oriented, incorporating elements of soul and funk which would become much more prominent on the follow up album, "Stormbringer". Tracks such as 'Mistreated' and 'Burn' quickly became classics, especially when their true power came through on stage.

186 - Deep Purple Burn 1974

"Burn" is the first album introducing the "Mark 3" line up with David Coverdale on vocals and Glenn Hughes on bass, who do double-duty on vocals and inject the group with a new vitality. The newcomers did an excellent job replacing Ian Gillan and Roger Glover. Even though "Burn" does not feature the classic Deep Purple line up it is still a classic Deep Purple album. One of the main reasons is the characteristic sound of Ritchie Blackmore's Fender Stratocaster. This song contains one of Blackmore's greatest riff ever, and thundering drums and bass, which back up Jon Lord's roaring blues organ. The vocals are dealt with, like much of the album, by both Coverdale and Hughes, yet Coverdale lets rip with a fantastic lead vocal that gets rid of any fears over replacing Gillan. Glenn Hughes also delivers a great soulful vocal, and the solos from Lord and Blackmore are out of this world. Fantastic stuff.

109 - Deep Purple Smoke on the Water 1971

Deep Purple were on the eve of breaking wide open when they made "Machine Head", a record that launched a heap of hard-rock hits, not to mention the bulk of the live album "Made in Japan". No fewer than three classics were unveiled here: "Highway Star", "Space Truckin'" and their biggest hit ever, "Smoke on the Water". Ritchie Blackmore's crunchy guitar was becoming the group's trademark and the throb that opens "Smoke on the Water" went miles in cementing his position in the pantheon of 1970s guitar deities.

93 - Deep Purple Black Night 1970

Having failed to make any significant commercial impact with three previous albums, Deep Purple finally turned some heads following the recruitment of vocalist Ian Gillian, bassist Roger Glover, and the premier of their atypical but ambitious crossover project, Concerto For Group & Orchestra, at the Royal Albert Hall in 1969.
Recorded in snatches between relentless gigging over a six month period, In Rock, released in June 1970, did just that. In some respects the material was a skilful synthesis of what was already in the air. Deep Purple raised the bar thanks to the water-tight rhythm section of Glover and drummer Ian Paice, who together underpinned the diamond-hard riffing from which Ritchie Blackmore’s fast-moving excursions would go head to head with Jon Lord’s neo-classical noodlings, like a couple of cranked-up kamikaze. Ian Gillan is probably the finest singer of 70s hard rock. He manages to hit the ear shattering high notes and still retain the power and strength of his normal singing. Special mention must go to the single released at the time of the album, "Black Night", which is backed by the best riff of the lot.

69 - Deep Purple Perfect Strangers 1984

This track comes blasting out of nowhere, like an I'm-alive-and-well message from an old friend you'd given up for dead. With its steamy vocal and genuine, if uncharacteristic, touches of wit throbbing above Deep Purple's heavy signature sound, "Perfect Strangers" sets the tone for this venerable band's reunion album. Lead singer Ian Gillan – who's never been in finer, and deeper, throat – sinuously glides into lyrics that suggest these veterans have something to say about where they've been in the last few years ("Can you remember, remember my name ... I am the echo of your past") and have lots more to offer in the future.

18 - Deep Purple Woman from Tokyo 1972

Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, Deep Purple are considered one of the pioneers of heavy metal and hard rock. You may have pleasure hearing to this all time classic "Woman from Tokyo", recorded in July 1972, it is about touring Japan for the first time, august 1972.