Deep Purple

biography:

The archetypal hard rock band, hugely influential, and still alive and well after almost 40 years, DEEP PURPLE were formed in Hertford (England) in 1968. Their earliest line-up (known as Mark I) featured guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, drummer Ian Paice (who was to be the only constant member in all the numerous incarnations of the band), keyboardist Jon Lord, bassist Nick Simper and vocalist Rod Evans. Their first album, "Shades of Deep Purple", included a cover of JOE SOUTH's "Hush", which became a big hit in the USA. The following two efforts were definitely more progressive in tone, especially their third, self-titled album, which saw Lord's masterful, classically-influenced use of the B3 Hammond organ steal the limelight.

In 1969, Evans and Simper were fired, to be replaced by two former Episode Six members, bassist Roger Glover and legendary vocalist Ian Gillan, who had also starred in the lead role in the original version of Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice's "Jesus Christ Superstar". This line-up, which is widely known as DEEP PURPLE Mark II, gave the band international renown - even though their first album, Lord's pet project "Concerto for Group and Orchestra" (recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) was poorly received.

With Gillan and Glover on board, DEEP PURPLE recorded a series of extremely successful albums, which saw them blend the progressive stylings of their first three albums with an increasingly harder-edged approach, like 1970' ground-breaking "In Rock". Their sound featured lengthy, dazzling duels between Lord's Hammond and Blackmore's Stratocaster, punctuated by Gillan's sky-high screams - nowhere better embodied than in their stunning, 1972 live album, "Made in Japan". In the same year, they released "Machine Head", one of the essential rock albums of all time, which featured the seminal riff of "Smoke on the Water" (inspired by a true episode happened during the recording of the album itself in Montreux, Switzerland), as well as other classics such as "Highway Star" and "Space Truckin'".

Unfortunately, ego clashes and differences in musical direction caused the departure of both Gillan and Glover, who were replaced by an already established musician (also possessed of awesome pipes), former TRAPEZE bassist and vocalist Glenn Hughes, and an unknown singer from North Yorkshire, David Coverdale, whose deep, bluesy voice was distinctly different from Gillan's high-pitched wail. The first Mark III album, "Burn", released in 1974, ranks amongstthe band's best efforts, with the furious, barnstorming title-track quickly becoming another mainstay of their live performances.

However, Hughes's leanings towards funk and soul clashed with Blackmore's own musical orientation, which led to the latter's split fromthe band immediately after the release of "Stormbringer". He was replaced by American whizzkid Tommy Bolin, formerly with JAMES GANG, who had also played on Billy Cobham's ground-breaking first solo album, "Spectrum". Unfortunately, Bolin was a drug addict, while Hughes had also begun his descent into alcoholism and cocaine addiction.The band's only Mark IV album, 1975's "Come Taste the Band", is a highly underrated masterpiece of funk-tinged hard rock. It also signalled the dissolution of the band, after Bolin's tragic death of a heroin overdose in 1976.

It seemed to be the end for DEEP PURPLE, and as a matter of fact it was for nearly eight years - until the five original MK II members got together and decided to give it a go once again. The result was 1984's excellent "Perfect Strangers", a true return to form whose magnificent, Eastern-tinged title track has since become one ofthe band 's undisputed classics. However, the idyll was not fated to last: 1987's "The House of Blue Light" was a much weaker effort, and the tensions between Blackmore and Gillan resurfaced, causing the latter to leavethe band . He was replaced by Blackmore's former RAINBOW sidekick, American vocalist Joe Lynn Turner, whose presence on 1990's "Slaves and Masters" album gavethe band's sound a definitely AOR slant that put off many of their earlier fans. In 1992, Gillan rejoined the band in order to record the aptly-titled "The Battle Rages On"; however, during the tour in support of the album his conflict with Blackmore got out of hand, and theguitarist left - this time, never to return.

DEEP PURPLE managed to complete the tour by enlisting the help of guitar wonder JOE SATRIANI, who nevertheless declined their offer to jointhe band permanently. They found Blackmore's replacement in yet another American, former DIXIE DREGS and KANSAS guitarist Steve Morse. A legend in his own right, Morse brought fresh ideas to the band , as well as a much more relaxed approach to personal relationships. The new line-up managed to record two albums, "Purpendicular" (1996) and "Abandon" (1998), before, in 2003, founding member Jon Lord leftthe band in order to rest from constant touring and dedicate himself to his own musical projects. His replacement was found in a veteran of the British rock scene, former Colosseum II keyboardist Don Airey. This new version ofthe band is still active and touring in the 21st century. Their latest album, "Rapture of the Deep" (2005), is certainly one of their best efforts since they got back together in 1984. Even in their early sixties, the members ofDEEP PURPLE still have a lot to offer to the rock world.

Band member:

There have been eight different line-ups of Deep Purple. The original Mk. I released three albums, before vocalist Evans and bassist Simper were replaced by Ian Gillan and Roger Glover respectively to create Mk. II.[27] The second line-up is regarded as the "classic"Deep Purple,[28][29] recording In Rock, Fireball, and Machine Head; this line-up lasted until 1973, when Gillan (followed by Glover) left the band. David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes joined to create Deep Purple Mk III,[30] though co-founding member and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore left in 1975 to be replaced by Tommy Bolin. Mk. IV lasted only a year and disbanded for what would become eight years after a concert at the Empire, Liverpool, on 15 March 1976.[31] While on hiatus, members concentrated on other projects, including Rainbow (Blackmore and Glover), Whitesnake (Coverdale, Lord and Paice), Black Sabbath and Gillan (both Gillan).

Deep Purple reunited in 1984 with the Mk. II lineup of Gillan, Blackmore, Glover, Paice and Lord.[32] Gillan and Blackmore had a disagreement and the vocalist was fired fromthe band and replaced by Blackmore's former bandmate in Rainbow, Joe Lynn Turner. Turner remained until 1992, when the Mk. II lineup came together for the third time. Due to continuing conflicting interests between Gillan and Blackmore, theguitarist left the band for good in the middle of 1993s The Battle Rages On tour. He was replaced with Joe Satriani for the remainder of the shows but could not jointhe band permanently due to contractual issues.

Steve Morse was chosen to be Blackmore's full-time replacement in 1994,[33] and he remains the guitarist to this day. In 2002 the most recent lineup change took place when Jon Lord, who had been in every incarnation of the band until, left the band to pursue personal interests. He was replaced by Don Airey, formerly of Rainbow and Ozzy Osbourne's band, to create the current Mk. VIII lineup. Drummer Ian Paice is now the only member left who has been present in every lineup ofDeep Purple since the band's formation in 1968.

Current members

* Ian Gillan – vocals, harmonica, congas (1969–1973, 1984–1989, 1992–present)
* Steve Morse – guitar (1994–present)
* Roger Glover – bass guitar, synthesizer (1969–1973, 1984–present)
* Don Airey – keyboards (2002–present)
* Ian Paice – drums, percussion (1968–1976, 1984–present)

Former members

* Ritchie Blackmore – guitar (1968–1975, 1984–1993)
* Jon Lord – keyboards, backing vocals (1968–1976, 1984–2002)
* Rod Evans – lead vocals (1968–1969)
* Nick Simper – bass guitar, backing vocals (1968–1969)
* David Coverdale – lead vocals (1973–1976)
* Glenn Hughes – bass guitar, vocals (1973–1976)
* Tommy Bolin – guitar, vocals, piano (1975–1976)
* Joe Lynn Turner – vocals (1990–1992)
* Joe Satriani – guitar (1993–1994)


1968 - Shades of Deep Purple


1968 - The Book of Taliesyn


1969 - Deep Purple


1969 - In Rock


1971 - Fireball


1972 - Machine Head


1973 - Who Do We Think We Are


1974 - Burn


1974 - Stormbringer


1975 - Come taste The Band


1984 - Perfect Strangers


1989 - The House Of Blue Light


1990 - Slaves And Master


1993 - The Battle Rages On


Deep Purple - Made in Japan DVD 2009







Product details

* Actors: Deep Purple
* Format: Closed-captioned, Colour, DTS Surround Sound, DVD-Video, NTSC
* Language English
* Subtitles: French, German, Italian, Spanish, English
* Region: All Regions
* Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
* Number of discs: 1
* Classification: Exempt
* Studio: Lace Group

DVD Description
Made In
Japan is one of the most exciting live albums ever recorded. Featuring
rare archive performances of the classic line up of Deep Purple live in
concert, this is the ultimate review of a landmark in rock history.
Also featured are rare archive interviews with the band themselves
including the views of the man in black himself, Ritchie Blackmore, and
solo performances of material from the album by Ian Gillan.

Features
Highway Star, Child In Time, The Mule, Space Truckin', Black Knight,
When A Blind Man Cries, Woman from Tokyo, Lazy, Speed King, Hush and
Mandrake Root.

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