Fact Finder - Music

Fact
The Origin of the Name 'Deep Purple'
Category
Music
Subcategory
Famous Singers & Bands
Country
United Kingdom
Description
Deep Purple, pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, were originally going to be called Roundabout. The name change to Deep Purple was suggested by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. It was the title of his grandmother's favorite song, a 1930s jazz standard by Peter DeRose that had been a hit for Bing Crosby. Blackmore recalled his grandmother frequently playing it on the piano and asking him if he could play it too. The band's 'Mark II' lineup, featuring Ian Gillan and Roger Glover, created some of the most iconic riffs in history, most notably 'Smoke on the Water.' The song was written about a real fire that broke out at the Montreux Casino in Switzerland during a Frank Zappa concert. Deep Purple was once listed in the Guinness World Records as the 'world's loudest band.'