The 31st class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will be inducted at the Brooklyn at Barclays Center on April 8th. This year’s honorees are Chicago, Cheap Trick, Deep Purple, Steve Miller, and N.W.A. Today’ let’s focus on Deep Purple.
The band began in England in 1968, and Ian Paice, the band’s drummer, is the only founding member of deep purple still touring. Jon Lord, the incredible keyboardist, died in his sleep at the age of 71 in 2012. White Snakes’ David Coverdale was once in the group, Ritchie Blackmore is perhaps the most successful original member to leave and have a strong solo career.
“Smoke on the Water” was never intended to be a hit, not even put on an album a year after it was recorded.
At one point, Deep Purple was in the Guinness Book of Record as being the world’s loudest band, 117 decibels (the sound an airplane engine), before being eclipsed by AC/DC.
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Photo credit: Jonas Rogowski