Deep Purple (band) Autographs

Profession:
(1968-) English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968 - they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock

Year of Birth: 1968

Deep Purple is a British rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. The band is renowned for its pioneering influence on heavy metal and hard rock music, as well as its long-lasting influence on the entire rock music genre. The current lineup consists of Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Steve Morse, Don Airey and Ian Paice. The band has sold over 100 million albums and has had several number one hits, including "Smoke on the Water" and "Hush".

Formed in 1968, Deep Purple was originally a blues-rock group, led by vocalist Rod Evans and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. The original lineup also included bassist Nick Simper, keyboardist Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice. The band's debut album, Shades of Deep Purple, was released in 1968 and featured the band's first hit single, "Hush". The band's second album, The Book of Taliesyn, was released the following year and featured the classic track "Kentucky Woman".

In 1969, the band released their third album, Deep Purple in Rock, which is often considered their defining album. This album featured the smash hit "Smoke on the Water" and cemented Deep Purple's status as one of the top hard rock bands of the era. The album also featured the songs "Child in Time" and "Black Night" which remain some of the band's best-known songs.

The band went on to release a string of successful albums in the 1970s, including Machine Head (1972), Who Do We Think We Are (1973) and Burn (1974). The band underwent several lineup changes in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but managed to maintain their popularity with albums such as Perfect Strangers (1984) and The House of Blue Light (1987).

In the 1990s, the band reunited with its classic lineup of Gillan, Blackmore, Lord, Paice and Glover, and released several albums, including The Battle Rages On (1993), Purpendicular (1996) and Abandon (1998). The band has continued to perform and record new material, most recently with the album Now What?! (2013). Deep Purple has also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.

Deep Purple is one of the most influential and iconic rock bands of all time. Their influence can be heard in the music of countless bands and artists, from Led Zeppelin to Metallica. They have also been cited as an influence by many of the most popular rock bands of the last two decades. Deep Purple has achieved tremendous success in their long career and is still going strong today, with plans for new albums and tours in the near future.