Hard Rock / Heavy Rock · 1970s Career
Deep Purple helped define 1970s hard rock through the combination of Ritchie Blackmore’s guitar, Jon Lord’s distorted Hammond organ and a rhythm section capable of moving between heavy riffs and fast improvisation.
Mark II and the classic lineup
With Ian Gillan and Roger Glover joining Blackmore, Lord and Ian Paice, the band found the lineup behind its most influential recordings.
Machine Head
“Smoke on the Water,” “Highway Star” and “Space Truckin’” combined memorable riffs, virtuosity and a live-minded sense of momentum.
Classical influence and improvisation
Lord’s organ and Blackmore’s guitar frequently competed like lead instruments, giving Deep Purple a sound equally rooted in blues, classical technique and jam-based hard rock.
Why they matter
Deep Purple became one of the key foundations of heavy rock and metal, especially for later guitar-and-keyboard bands that valued speed and technical power.
