Deep Purple were one of the most influential rock bands of the 1970s, helping to pioneer the hard rock and heavy metal genres. Formed in Hertford, England in 1968, the band went through several line-up changes before achieving massive commercial success with their Mark II line-up featuring Ian Gillan on vocals, Ritchie Blackmore on guitar, Jon Lord on keyboards, Roger Glover on bass and Ian Paice on drums. This line-up produced Deep Purple’s most well-known works including the albums In Rock, Machine Head and Made in Japan. After several splits and reunions over the following decades, Deep Purple continue to perform and record today, albeit with only one member of that classic line-up – drummer Ian Paice.
Where are the original Deep Purple members now?
Here’s a quick overview of where the key original members of Deep Purple are now:
- Ian Paice – Still the drummer in Deep Purple today at age 74
- Ritchie Blackmore – Formed Rainbow and later Blackmore’s Night. No longer plays rock but focuses on folk rock.
- Jon Lord – Passed away in 2012 aged 71
- Ian Gillan – Still lead vocalist in Deep Purple today at age 77
- Roger Glover – Still the bassist in Deep Purple today at age 76
Let’s take a more in-depth look at what these rock legends are up to now…
Ian Paice – Still drumming with Deep Purple
Drummer Ian Paice is one of only two musicians (along with bassist Roger Glover) to have played continuously in Deep Purple across their various line-up changes since 1968. Now 74 years old, Paice is still going strong as the drummer in Deep Purple today. While he’s the only member left from the classic Mark II line-up, he anchors the group and maintains their distinctive sound. Never a showy drummer, he provided the solid rhythmic base around which Ritchie Blackmore could improvise blistering guitar solos and Jon Lord could weave his flamboyant organ playing. His distinctive swing feel and mastery of polyrhythms gave early Deep Purple classics like “Hush” and “Child in Time” their drive and groove. He remains an incredibly consistent and tasteful player. Outside of Deep Purple, Paice has also played with Gary Moore, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Whitesnake.
Ritchie Blackmore – Focused on folk rock with Blackmore’s Night
Guitar virtuoso Ritchie Blackmore was the unpredictable creative force at the heart of Deep Purple’s glory years. His neo-classical shredding, fiery riffing and mesmerizing improvisations were central to songs like “Smoke on the Water”, “Highway Star” and “Burn”. Never content to stay in one place for long, Blackmore quit Deep Purple for the first time in 1975 to form his own band, Rainbow. He later resurrected Deep Purple in 1984 before leaving again in 1993. He’s since focused on Blackmore’s Night, a medieval folk rock project with his wife Candice Night. Now 77, he occasionally jams on old Deep Purple classics but is reluctant to commit to a reunion. While he’s often painted as a prickly and difficult personality, no one can deny Blackmore’s stature as one of the most important and influential players in the development of metal and hard rock.
Jon Lord – Passed away in 2012
Keyboard wizard Jon Lord gave Deep Purple their distinctive musical flavor with his merging of rock and classical influences. His organ solos were an iconic feature of songs like “Highway Star”. Lord – who studied classical piano from age 5 – brought a level of musicianship and sophistication to Deep Purple that set them apart from many contemporaries. He later composed the Concerto for Group and Orchestra which Deep Purple performed at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 1969. After co-founding Whitesnake in 1978, Lord returned to his rock roots with another stint with Deep Purple from 1984-2002. Outside of music, he had great passion for charity work. Jon Lord sadly passed away in 2012 aged 71 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Ian Gillan – Still rocking as Deep Purple’s frontman
Ian Gillan’s soaring 4-octave vocal range and flamboyant stage persona provided the final ingredient that turned Deep Purple into superstars in the early 70s. Songs like “Child in Time” and “Strange Kind of Woman” showcased Gillan’s powerful rock vocals and ear-piercing banshee screams. However, constant touring took its toll and Gillan quit Deep Purple in 1973 after a breakdown. He fronted rock bands Gillan and Episode Six before cementing his legend as the vocalist for Black Sabbath’s 1983 album Born Again. Ian Gillan eventually made peace with his Deep Purple bandmates and permanently rejoined the band in 1984. Now 77, Gillan still captivates audiences with his energetic live performances and hitting unbelievable high notes on classics like “Smoke on the Water”.
Roger Glover – Holding down the low end in Deep Purple
Roger Glover was the solid, dependable bassist who worked alongside Ian Paice to provide the unmoving rhythmic foundation on which Deep Purple constructed their sound. His funky bass lines added a strutting swagger to tracks like “Smoke on the Water” and “Fireball”. After the Mark II line-up dissolved, Glover produced Ritchie Blackmore’s solo album before being invited to join Rainbow on bass. He later took up production duties for Judas Priest and Nazareth. When Deep Purple reformed in 1984, Glover returned on bass and has remained there ever since. Now 76, he anchors the band both on stage and in the studio. While never seeking the limelight, his consistency and compositional contributions have been invaluable across so many years.
Deep Purple’s changing line-ups since 1968
Years active | Vocalist | Guitarist | Keyboard | Bassist | Drummer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1968-1969 | Rod Evans | Ritchie Blackmore | Jon Lord | Nick Simper | Ian Paice |
1969-1973 | Ian Gillan | Ritchie Blackmore | Jon Lord | Roger Glover | Ian Paice |
1974-1975 | David Coverdale | Ritchie Blackmore | Jon Lord | Glenn Hughes | Ian Paice |
1975-1976 | Tommy Bolin | Tommy Bolin | Jon Lord | Glenn Hughes | Ian Paice |
1984-1989 | Ian Gillan | Ritchie Blackmore | Jon Lord | Roger Glover | Ian Paice |
1989-1992 | Joe Lynn Turner | Ritchie Blackmore | Jon Lord | Roger Glover | Ian Paice |
1992-1993 | Ian Gillan | Ritchie Blackmore | Jon Lord | Roger Glover | Ian Paice |
1993-present | Ian Gillan | Steve Morse | Don Airey | Roger Glover | Ian Paice |
This table summarizes the different vocalists, guitarists, keyboardists, bassists and drummers who have been part of Deep Purple since 1968. While their members have changed over the decades, the band’s legacy and influence remains strong in the world of hard rock and heavy metal.
Deep Purple’s best-selling studio albums
Album | Release Year | Sales (millions) |
---|---|---|
Machine Head | 1972 | 7.2 |
Made in Japan | 1972 | 6.0 |
In Rock | 1970 | 4.5 |
Fireball | 1971 | 3.0 |
Burn | 1974 | 1.5 |
Stormbringer | 1974 | 1.5 |
This table highlights the huge commercial success Deep Purple enjoyed at their peak in the early to mid 1970s. Albums like Machine Head, Made in Japan and In Rock cemented them as one of the top hard rock bands in the world.
Most commercially successful songs
Looking beyond albums, these are Deep Purple’s best-selling singles:
- “Smoke on the Water” – reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1973
- “Hush” – reached #4 in 1968
- “Woman from Tokyo” – reached #60 in 1973
- “Black Night” – reached #2 on the UK Singles Chart in 1970
- “Strange Kind of Woman” – reached #8 on the UK Singles Chart in 1971
The legacy and influence of Deep Purple
Few bands have made a bigger impact on hard rock and heavy metal than Deep Purple. Their influence can be measured in the following ways:
- Over 100 million albums sold worldwide – Deep Purple are one of the top-selling bands of all time.
- Pioneered hard rock and heavy metal – Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, Deep Purple helped establish these genres with their thunderous sound.
- Inspired countless musicians – Major artists like Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Van Halen and Queen all cite Deep Purple as key influences on their sound.
- Notable rock hits – Songs like “Smoke on the Water”, “Black Night” and “Child in Time” are rock anthems played on radio to this day.
- Concert draw – Deep Purple still tour regularly, headlining major rock festivals around the world.
- In Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – Inducted in 2016 in recognition of their stature and impact.
While their original line-up has not played together since 1976, Deep Purple’s legacy remains untarnished. TheirFingerprints can be heard any time a Marshall stack is turned to 11.
Deep Purple’s upcoming plans and touring schedule
While members may have come and gone, Deep Purple continue to record new music and tour the world. Here are some of their upcoming plans and scheduled performances:
- New album Turning to Crime releasing December 2021 – a covers album with songs by Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan and more.
- European tour from May – July 2022 covering 17 dates across Italy, Germany, France and more.
- North American tour from August – October 2022 covering over 20 dates.
- Additional 2023 tour dates to be announced but expected as they celebrate their 55th anniversary as a band.
With Ian Gillan and Roger Glover still powering the band in their late 70s, Deep Purple show no signs of slowing down. While they cannot recreate the magical chemistry of the Mark II line-up that catapulted them to stardom, they continue to record and perform with energy and passion while introducing their sound to new generations of listeners.
Conclusion
Far from being a relic of rock history, Deep Purple remain active and relevant in the world of rock music today. While time has naturally scattered their original line-up, the music and legacy of Deep Purple lives on. Their pioneering records and live performances in the late 60s and early 70s secured their status as one of the greatest hard rock groups of all time. Now in their sixth decade of recording and performing, they continue to tour the world playing their indelible hits and influential catalogue of classic rock anthems. With a deep reserve of smash hits like “Smoke on the Water”, “Child in Time” and “Highway Star”, the songs of Deep Purple remain staples of radio playlists and their DNA is intertwined with the entire family tree of heavy metal and hard rock that followed in their wake.