1967 to 1968

One of the true founding fathers of Hard Rock, DEEP PURPLE's roots trace back to 1967. Spearheaded by IAN GILLAN's quite unique vocal presence, RITCHIE BLACKMORE's pioneering guitar wizardry and JON LORD's magnificent Hammond organ flurries, DEEP PURPLE would launch itself to major international acclaim and status. As such, the singer fronted up some of the landmark Hard Rock songs such as the seminal 'Smoke On The Water', 'Black Night', 'Woman From Tokyo', 'Highway Star', 'Space Truckin', 'Strange Kind Of Woman' and 'Child In Time'.

Guitarist RITCHIE BLACKMORE, then based in Germany and a member of MANDRAKE ROOT, was asked to join the band by then vocalist Chris Curtis in a line-up comprising of Curtis, Blackmore, keyboard player JON LORD, bassist Dave Curtis and drummer Bobby Clark. The transition to DEEP PURPLE came about upon the departure of Curtis. With many band titles being mooted, including ORPHEUS and CONCRETE GOD, they finally settled on what would become one of the most legendary names in Rock music; which turned out to also be the title of Blackmore's grandmother's favourite Pop song.

The band's management wanted to call the band ROUNDABOUT, but the band wisely refused - opting for DEEP PURPLE. The inaugural line-up of the group consisted of Blackmore, who previously operated as a session musician for acts as diverse as SCREAMIN' LORD SUTCH and THE CRUSADERS, Lord, whose lineage included the ARTWOODS and FLOWERPOT MEN, drummer Barry Woodman, ex-MAZE vocalist Rod Evans and former ST. VALENTINE'S DAY MASSACRE and FLOWERPOT MEN bassist Nic Simper.

Setting about auditioning vocalists, the band looked at Ashley Holt, ROD STEWART and TERRY REID. The latter was the man chosen buy unfortunately he was uninterested in the proposition (he was later to turn down LED ZEPPELIN too) so the group settled on Rod Evans, previously with THE MAZE. With Woodman losing interest Evan's colleague from THE MAZE Ian Paice joined the team.

DEEP PURPLE's debut album, 'Shades Of Deep Purple' was recorded in May 1968. Immediately the band scored an American hit single with a cover of Joe South's 'Hush' prompting a US release for the album in July. It had been back on April 20th when DEEP PURPLE had performed their first gig, in Kastrup, Denmark, in a set of dates booked upon the strength of success enjoyed there by Lord and Simper's pre-PURPLE outfit ST. VALENTINE'S DAY MASSACRE.

The first album has never been considered a Hard Rock classic, containing many ballads and power Pop songs, but did sell well. However, the second album 'The Book Of Taliesyn' proved strangely directionless and, in a concerted attempt at another hit in America, the band produced a limp cover version of NEIL DIAMOND's 'Kentucky Woman'. Nevertheless the band enjoyed considerable commercial and radio success and the Mk1 DEEP PURPLE actually racked up three gold albums in America touring constantly with the likes of CANNED HEAT and CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL. The band's first American dates were actually as support to CREAM, they lasted all of three gigs before being thrown off the tour!

1969 to 1970

DEEP PURPLE's third album utilised the same line-up as the previous duo, although it was to be the last as upon completion of an American tour in May 1969 it had been decided internally that Simper and Evans were now surplus to requirements. Unbeknown to the vocalist and bassist, the search was on for replacements.

Ian Gillan of EPISODE SIX was suggested to Blackmore by his former OUTLAWS colleague Mick Underwood. Sufficiently impressed by a rehearsal DEEP PURPLE offered the position to the vocalist and before long the band had also persuaded EPISODE SIX's bassist ROGER GLOVER to join after a stand in session for the 'Hallelujah' single.

Simper and Evans were kept on to fulfill touring commitments until July, with PURPLE performing gigs at night and secretly rehearsing with Gillan and Glover during the day. Inevitably Simper and Evans learnt of their fate and quit, Simper forming WARHORSE and later FANDANGO.

Evans forged the Psychedelic Rock act CAPTAIN BEYOND with ex IRON BUTTERFLY members.

The first release by the new DEEP PURPLE was the aforementioned single, 'Hallelujah', in July 1969. Just as the new line-up was trying to establish itself the first three albums were released in Britain featuring the old line up. In addition to this the Mk 2 debut was the rather baffling 'Concerto For Group And Orchestra', a valiant experiment that unfortunately failed. Nevertheless, the originality of the project at least put the band's name in the public gaze in their home country for the first time.

The band opened the new decade 1970 with a heavy touring and promotion schedule, some dates including supports to CANNED HEAT, although some promoters remained confused by the band's direction. The group actually turned up for some gigs where they found to their horror a full orchestra had been laid on to back them!

RITCHIE BLACKMORE was by now gaining himself an enviable reputation as a guitar hero and indications of his soon to be notorious mood swings began to manifest themselves. Appearing at the National Jazz And Blues Festival in August 1970 Blackmore set fire to his amp stack in an effort to upstage headliners YES.

By now the band were in dire financial straits and the pressure was on to gain a British hit record. That much needed elevation into the big league came with a superb slab of contemporary Rock deliberately designed to sever all tiers with their previous introspective outing. 'In Rock' is generally viewed as the inaugural Mk2 album proper, containing as it does many classics; such as 'Child In Time', 'Black Night', 'Speed King' (originally titled 'Kneel And Pray') and 'Flight Of The Rat'. The album cracked the British charts and maintained a steady foothold for over a year. In Norway 'In Rock' spent a full sixteen week tenure on the charts before peaking at no. 5. For the first time DEEP PURPLE undertook a lengthy European tour.

Gillan's unique vocal had been noticed in other quarters too, Composer Tim Rice persuading the vocalist to sing lead vocal on the 'Jesus Christ Superstar' album although plans to cast the DEEP PURPLE frontman as the messiah in the film version were shelved because of the band's schedule.

Touring America the band found themselves compromising on their live set as Warner Brothers, DEEP PURPLE's U.S. record company, required the band to promote the 'Concerto' album. The band performed many shows in two sections, the first half for the concerto before coming back on stage to blast out tracks from 'In Rock'. The band wound up 1970 with shows in Scandinavia and Germany, some of the latter shows as a quartet due to Blackmore falling ill.

1971 to 1972

The 'Fireball' album kept up the pace, giving the band their first British number 1 album. In July 1971 the band undertook a lengthy tour of Canada and America opening for THE SMALL FACES. A European tour also gave DEEP PURPLE the honour of becoming 'The World's Loudest Group' according to the Guinness Book of Records.

The ensuing 'Machine Head' album took the band to even dizzier heights. The standout track, 'Smoke On The Water', gave DEEP PURPLE their major league breakthrough, based as it is upon probably the most recognisable Heavy Metal riff of all time. Once again DEEP PURPLE were at number 1 in the British album charts.

The punishing work schedule for the band was beginning to take its toll however and, on the eve of an American tour, Gillan collapsed with hepatitis. The tour was cancelled and in this downtime JON LORD began work on another solo project 'The Gemini Suite' whilst Gillan also dabbled in the studio producing an album by JERUSALEM once over his illness. During 1972 DEEP PURPLE made up for the delay in hitting US shores by touring North America no less than four times a feat that pushed 'Machine Head's sales figures past three million.

During a night off in New York on the first tour ROGER GLOVER and Ian Paice went to see local act ELF and, being very impressed, produced the band's first album. Following completion of DEEP PURPLE's second American tour and, having secured a deal for ELF with Epic, toured the band as support to PURPLE later in the year with ELF vocalist Ronnie Dio impressing an interested RITCHIE BLACKMORE. The singer would play a vital part in the guitarist's post DEE PURPLE career.

In March 1972 Blackmore, fuelled by what was by now obviously a caustic working relationship with Gillan, had begun hedging his bets by trying to covertly assemble another act. To be titled BABY FACE, Blackmore's intention was to lure THIN LIZZY mainman PHIL LYNNOT, ex-FREE vocalist PAUL RODGERS and Ian Paice into working with him. However, the project was aborted after rehearsals when Lynott decided to remain loyal to THIN LIZZY.

A later North American tour provided Blackmore, this time, with a dose of hepatitis, but DEEP PURPLE's schedule was so tight dates could not be cancelled. At first guitarist AL KOOPER stood in but he too soon fell ill. SPIRIT guitarist RANDY CALIFORNIA stepped into the breach but also suffered the same fate! German dates were performed as a quartet minus Blackmore.

1973 to 1974

DEEP PURPLE reeled from another blow when Gillan announced his departure. Nevertheless, the vocalist was persuaded to stay for a tour of Japan and a last studio effort, 'Who Do We Think We Are'. Meantime, the Japanese tour gave the band an opportunity to record material for their first live album 'Made in Japan'. Originally destined only for Japanese release, titled 'Live in Japan', demand was so great that the album saw a British release and gave the band another hit album.

A weaker affair than its predecessors, 'Who Do We Think We Are' nevertheless broke the British top 10 before Glover and Gillan were ousted in June 1973. Their vacancies were filled by ex-TRAPEZE bassist GLENN HUGHES and an unknown vocalist in the form of Saltburn, Tyne & Wear native and ex-FABULOSA BROS man DAVID COVERDALE. The public would soon learn that with Hughes and Coverdale the band had brought onboard two vocalists of equal talent.

The Mk 3 DEEP PURPLE debuted with 'Burn' which reached number 3 in Britain. The band took a distinct Bluesier direction and the album features vocals from both Coverdale and Hughes, most notably on the track 'You Fool No One'. Touring Britain once more, DEEP PURPLE took the chance to debut ELF to British audiences as by now the band were signed to the band's own Purple Records. US dates culminated in the band's most prestigious gig to date at the legendary California Jam, held at the Ontario Speedway grounds on 6th April 1974. Backed by BLACK SABBATH, THE EAGLES, EARTH, WIND & FIRE and EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER, the group performed to over quarter of a million people. Although headlining, DEEP PURPLE chose to go on before EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER, making sure they were a hard act to follow courtesy of an onstage explosion which set Blackmore's hair on fire. Captured by a film crew, the guitarist then proceeded to trash his gear to the delight of the crowd.

The 'Burn' album was soon to be followed by 'Stormbringer' in December 1974. The now famous artwork, a horse leaping over a tornado, landed the band in hot water after release when it was discovered the original photograph used for the tornado had been used without permission. DEEP PURPLE were forced into a heavy compensation. For the 'Stormbringer' set the Blues was countered by Funk material, which left die-hard fans wondering what the band was up to. Allegedly disturbed by this new found Funk influence RITCHIE BLACKMORE began recording some of his compositions that did not make 'Stormbringer'. Amongst these was a rendition of the QUATERMASS track 'Black Sheep Of The Family'. This and other new Blackmore songs eventually turned into a solo album and in 1975 the guitarist opted to quit and form RAINBOW.

1975 to 1976

The gaping hole in DEEP PURPLE's ranks was filled by Blackmore prodigy, American TOMMY BOLIN (ex-ENERGY, ZEPHYR, JAMES GANG) and the new line-up set about recording 'Come Taste The Band', but only after Bolin had recorded his solo album, entitled 'Teaser', which incidentally featured GLENN HUGHES.

Bolin's solo album was released to coincide with 'Come Taste The Band' and in some regions of America was promoted to a greater degree than the band effort. However, 'Come Taste The Band' is without doubt DEEP PURPLE's heaviest offering.

The band once again set out on a world tour, starting off with gigs in Honolulu during November 1975 and winding their way through New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia and Japan. The gigs were hit and miss with Bolin in particular finding life on the road a strain and his by now acknowledged dependence on hard drugs making performances veer from electric to erratic. In Japan, a botched heroin injection caused the guitarist's arm to numb so badly it severely affected his playing ability.

As DEEP PURPLE hit America for a lengthy string of 30 shows supported by NAZARETH the band were forced to employ minders to fend off the drug dealers from both Bolin and Hughes who was in the grip of cocaine addiction.

Following a short burst of British dates, ending in Liverpool in 1976, The band did attempt to soldier on by pulling in renowned ex COLOSSEUM guitarist Clem Clempson but Coverdale and Lord were to throw in the towel and DEEP PURPLE split a few months later. Bolin returned to America to tour with his own band and there were even rumours of ROBERT PLANT joining the line-up, but this came to nothing. Bolin issued his second solo album, 'Private Eyes' in September 1976, but fighting a constant battle with a drug addiction, Bolin died in December of 1976.

1977 to 1983

A constant stream of DEEP PURPLE live albums, compilations and bootlegs issued forth after the split as various ex members made successful careers for themselves with the likes of PAICE, ASHTON, LORD, RAINBOW, WHITESNAKE and GILLAN. Meantime GLENN HUGHES drifted through a drug habit that wrecked ventures that included as teaming up with Pat Thrall in HUGHES/THRALL, GARY MOORE and BLACK SABBATH.

1980 former vocalist Rod Evans toured America billed as DEEP PURPLE with a band comprising of guitarist Tony Flynn, Bassist Dick Jurgens, keyboard player Geoff Emery and drummer Tom De Rivera. Nick Simper's name was linked to this escapade but the bassist was never involved.

Gillan, Blackmore, Lord & Paice sued Evans who was subsequently forced to abandon his activities and return to a career in medicine.

Laying GILLAN to rest following the closure of the 'Magic' tour IAN GILLAN sensationally joined BLACK SABBATH. This union, originally intended as a new 'Supergroup' but eventually emerging as BLACK SABBATH with the successful 'Born Again' album, would perform DEEP PURPLE's 'Smoke On The Water' anthem on a subsequent world tour.

1984 to 1988

Sensationally, the Mk 2 members reformed in 1984 as fan favour began to wane with GILLAN, RAINBOW and other projects such as Ian Gillan even joining BLACK SABBATH for the 1983 'Born Again' album. Just prior to the reunion, Paice was playing with ex-THIN LIZZY guitarist GARY MOORE's band. Apparently the reformation had been decided upon in early 1983 but individual commitments, incliding Gillan's woorld tour with BLACK SABBATH, during which the band infamously performed 'Smoke On The water', had delayed practical action until the following year.

The revamped DEEP PURPLE released the high quality 'Perfect Strangers' album, boasting at least two bona fide classics in the Eastern flavoured title track and 'Knocking At Your Back Door', and set to undertake an enormously successful world tour, which became the second highest grossing concert attraction for that year in America. Their British debut was headlining at Knebworth in 1985 on a bill that included with SCORPIONS, MEAT LOAF, BLACKFOOT, UFO, MAMA'S BOYS, MOUNTAIN and ALASKA.

1987's 'The House Of Blue Light' was unfortunately generally acknowledged as a weak follow up to 'Perfect Strangers' and as the tour to promote it flagged, the last 15 dates of an American trek were cancelled when RITCHIE BLACKMORE broke a finger.

1989 to 1994

The old differences of the classic line-up's personalities had signalled the end for the reformed line-up once again. Following promotional work for the poorly received 'House Of Blue Light' album singer IAN GILLAN returned to the UK to form an interim live band, at first with the intention of keeping his hand in. GARTH ROCKETT AND THE MOONSHINERS, formulated in February 1989 and named in honour of one of Gillan's earliest 1962 formative acts, featured three members of EXPORT, guitarists Steve Morris and Harry Shaw plus drummer Lou Rosenthal, alongside the NUTZ, RAGE and DEMON credited Keith Mulholland on bass and keyboard player Mark Buckle.

This unit debuted with a low key concert held on 18th February 1989 at Southport Floral Hall. Further concerts followed before Gillan was unceremoniously dismissed from the ranks of DEEP PURPLE that May. He had journeyed back to the USA in April, intending to regain momentum on fresh DEEP PURPLE tracks but this move resulted in band infighting. GARTH ROCKETT AND THE MOONSHINERS briefly became a priority for the frontman and a 16th May 1989 concert at The Ritz in Manchester was filmed for issue as a live VHS video.The set included GILLAN / GLOVER material and GILLAN songs. The final appearance of the band came in July with a Liverpool concert in July staged to raise funds for the Hillsborough football disaster.

The group disbanded shortly afterwards and Gillan forged a fresh solo band in May 1990, taking Steve Morris, and briefly Mark Buckle, into this new formation.

Ian Gillan and RITCHIE BLACKMORE, albeit recording on different days, did contribute to a renewed version of 'Smoke On The Water' for the Armenian earthquake charity in late 1989. The song saw a huge roll call of Rock elite acting as guest sessioneers including BRYAN ADAMS, IRON MAIDEN singer BRUCE DICKINSON, KEITH EMERSON, PINK FLOYD's DAVE GILMOUR, BLACK SABBATH's TONY IOMMI, Alex Lifeson of RUSH, QUEEN's BRIAN MAY and ROGER TAYLOR, Chris Squire of YES and ASIA's Geoff Downes. However, shortly after this high profile venture DEEP PURPLE duly imploded yet again.

Blackmore toyed with the idea of regrouping RAINBOW as DEEP PURPLE made serious consideration for Terry Brock of STRANGEWAYS to be their new frontman. In the end ex-FANDANGO, RAINBOW and YNGWIE MALMSTEEN vocalist JOE LYNN TURNER was announced as DEEP PURPLE's new frontman. IAN GILLAN set about re-launching his solo career by releasing the 'Naked Thunder' album in 1990. In subsequent interviews Gillan claimed he had been sacked from DEEP PURPLE for reasons unknown to him.

DEEP PURPLE themselves released the 'Slaves And Masters' album and once more proceeded to tour the world. Unfortunately, it was not the renaissance the band were looking for and generally regarded by fans and critics alike as mediocre. Despite healthy gig attendances many viewed Turner's presence in the band as the final indignation. Turner was fired when already in the studio for the proposed follow up record. The vocalist had already laid down vocals on songs such as 'Stroke Of Midnight' and 'Lost In The Machine' that have now, along with tracks co- written with SURVIVOR's guitarist JIM PETERIK, been consigned to the vaults. When it was revealed that Ian Gillan was rejoining once again, having recorded over many of Turner's vocals, fans and media alike were hardly enthusiastic.

Turner later re-recorded the track 'Too Much Is Not Enough' from 'Slaves And Masters' on his 1999 'Undercover 2' album claiming DEEP PURPLE had originally done "a terrible job" on the song. Turner's album also included a version of 'Lady Double Dealer'.

During 1992 Richie Blackmore took a rare excursion into an outside project, laying down guitars on the track 'Guitare Héraut' for the LAURENT VOULZY album 'Caché Derriève'. Gillan's comeback album with DEEP PURPLE, 'The Battle Rages On' surfaced in 1993. The record was produced by Roger Glover and Thom Panunzio over three locations, Bearsville Studios in New York, Greg Rike Studios in Orlando, Florida and Red Rooster Studios in Tutzing, Germany. Unfortunately 'The Battle Rages On' was generally regarded as another lacklustre effort, but the world tour showed the band still capable of pulling large audiences.

1995 to 2007

RITCHIE BLACKMORE, chose to quit following the 1994 European dates, putting in his last show on 17th November at the Helsinki Icehall, an event that threw the band into a great deal of confusion as dates were already booked for Japan. DEEP PURPLE quickly drafted in renowned guitarist JOE SATRIANI to fulfill the dates, along with a Swedish festival, before adding ex-DIXIE DREGS and KANSAS guitarist STEVE MORSE on a permanent basis. Morse came with an enviable reputation, the Jazz Rock guitarist citing a plethora of awards from various guitar magazines.

Blackmore, meanwhile, formed a new band, later utilising the RAINBOW moniker, with ex-MIDNIGHT BLUE vocalist Dougie White, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT's rhythm section of bassist Greg Smith and drummer John O'Reilly. The latter duo had also previously played with JOE LYNN TURNER's solo band. Blackmore's swansong with DEEP PURPLE was thus captured on the live album 'Come Hell Or High Water'.

Steve Morse's tenure with DEEP PURPLE was originally on a trial basis with a short batch of dates in Mexico and two 'secret' Florida gigs after which he was debuted officially as a permanent member of the group on DEEP PURPLE's first South African dates, supported by URIAH HEEP, before a tour of India. An extensive British and European tour followed before American dates with support act TYPE O NEGATIVE.

Amusingly, Pop act KULA SHAKER lent DEEP PURPLE a revival of sorts when their version of 'Hush' became a British chart hit in March 1997.

The band spent the summer of 1999 headlining numerous European festivals.

2000 found DEEP PURPLE back on the road in Europe embarking on an ambitious venture with the Romanian Philharmonic Orchestra. Joining the band for the first half of the set was ex-RAINBOW and BLACK SABBATH and present day DIO frontman Ronnie James Dio. The set was opened by ex SAVOY BROWN / T REX / CHICKEN SHACK and BROKEN GLASS man Miller Anderson with the title track from JON LORD's latest solo release 'Pictured Within'. The band's October 29th Rotterdam Ahoy appearance would later be released as an official, albeit mail order only, live album.

During March of 2001 DEEP PURPLE gave a benefit concert in Bangalore to aid of the victims of the recent Indian earthquakes. Touring in America throughout the summer of 2001 had the band hooked up with joint headliners LYNYRD SKYNYRD and guest TED NUGENT. The band's enduring appeal would be amply illustrated when, following a gig in Stockholm, their 1972 classic 'Made In Japan' re-entered the Swedish charts at no. 18. A rather special gig on the world tour itinerary came with a charity show in Modena, Italy when Gillan paired up with Opera heavyweight Pavarotti for a rendition of 'Nessun Dorma'!

Other activity during the year from PURPLE people saw STEVE MORSE contributing to MANUEL BARRUECO's album 'Nylon & Steel' and ROGER GLOVER putting in his talents to a tribute album in memory of GOV'T MULE's late Allen Woody. Meantime Ian Paice put in a session on the JIM CAPALDI album 'Living On The Outside'. Ian Paice would unite with Italian guitarist TOLO MARTON appearing on his album 'Dal Vero', being featured on two JIMI HENDRIX cover versions 'Stone Free' and 'Hey Joe'. The drummer, alongside GLENN HUGHES, would turn up as a guest on the 'Twister' album from Italian hot shot guitarist MAX MAGAGNI, featuring on a live take on 'Highway Star'. The same track would be given a radical new interpretation by gloom mongers TYPE O NEGATIVE as their donation to the NASCAR 'Crank It Up' album.

As a new DEEP PURPLE studio album was readied in the latter half of 2001 the band announced June dates in America co-billed with SCORPIONS and DIO. Meantime an album of great interest to PURPLE aficionados arrived the same month with two erstwhile band vocalists, GLENN HUGHES and JOE LYNN TURNER, uniting for a HUGHES TURNER project album. A Japanese tour by the duo yielded the 'Live In Tokyo' album which included renditions of 'Stormbringer', 'Mistreated' and 'King Of Dreams'.

DEEP PURPLE returned to the British stages in 2002 for a lengthy tour commencing on February 6th at Grimbsy Auditorium, however shows would be pulled mid term as Gillan was found to be suffering from a severe throat infection. The remaining dates would be re-scheduled for September. However, just as touring plans for dates in Russia were confirmed the long-term of stability of DEEP PURPLE was rocked by the departure of JON LORD. The band was swift to announce the esteemed DON AIREY, a veteran of OZZY OSBOURNE, WHITESNAKE and RAINBOW amongst many others, as replacement. Subsequently it was then learned that the scheduled European tour would in fact see Lord and his familiar Hammond organ still in place for his last hurrah with the band.

Ian Paice scheduled a series of drum clinics in Italy throughout October, working in tandem with DON AIREY on these tuition gigs. Meantime, With interest in their former tour mate DIO at a renewed high Spitfire Records re-issued his recent 'Killing The Dragon' album in September containing two tracks 'Fever Dreams' and 'Rainbow In The Dark', both recorded live at the Ahoy in Rotterdam, Holland on the DIO/DEEP PURPLE Concerto tour and featuring guesting members of DEEP PURPLE.

On September 7th a trio of IRON MAIDEN players, drummer Nicko McBrain, guitarist Janick Gers, and vocalist BRUCE DICKINSON, surprised DEEP PURPLE fans by joining the Rock veterans on stage during their London Hammersmith Apollo gig for a rendition of the classic 'Smoke On The Water'. NAZARETH frontman Dan MaCafferty would join the band onstage at their Clyde Auditorium concert in Glasgow.

Although the band, including DON AIREY, set about recording a brand new studio album DEEP PURPLE guitarist Steve Morse still embarked on a brief run of January 2003 dates with his band DIXIE DREGS. Ian Paice took time out from recording sessions too by oddly performing with the Italian DEEP PURPLE tribute band GIANLUCA TAGLIAVINI during February. The new DEEP PURPLE album, in keeping with the veterans sense of humour, was given a provisional title of 'Bananas'. Initially thought to be a joke this title, making references to GM crops, third world debt and revealed to also have been in the running for the 'Abandon' opus, finally stuck.

June also brought news of a high profile DEEP PURPLE connected project as it was learned that both STEVE MORSE and JON LORD had ensconced themselves in a Florida studio with none other than established Australian Rock star JIMMY BARNES and the erstwhile URIAH HEEP and OZZY OSBOURNE rhythm section of bass player Bob Daisley and drummer Lee Kerslake. This venture, seeing Lord backing out in favour of DON AIREY, would take on the title of LIVING LOUD for a 2004 debut 'Relentless'.

DEEP PURPLE scheduled a lengthy run of European dates commencing August and taking the band right through until the close of the year. The Scandinavian leg of the trek found the group paired up with URIAH HEEP whilst the band united with Thrash stalwarts SEPULTURA for four major Brazilian shows in September.

Amidst the optimism of this renewed flush of success one poignant moment came to bear upon the band. At their 23rd September show in Mexico City DEEP PURPLE were presented with plaques containing remnants of CDs, 'Machine Head', 'Purpendicular' and RAINBOW's 'Down To Earth', they gave to astronaut Kalpana Chawla for her mission on the Columbia space shuttle, which crashed on its return to earth earlier in the year. The three damaged discs were presented by Chawla's husband Jean-Pierre Harrison and came with certificates of authenticity signed by NASA officials. Chawla had been an ardent DEEP PURPLE fan, having been in email communication with the band whilst she was in space. Steve Morse penned the 'Bananas' instrumental 'Contact Lost' in memory of the Columbia crew.

DEEP PURPLE opened their 2004 touring schedule with US shows allied with THIN LIZZY. Although plugging the 'Bananas' album the group novelly reprised the entire 'Machine Head' record live on stage. Gigs throughout the Summer had the band traversing the Far East, Japan, China, Australia, including support from veteran Rockers ROSE TATTOO at the State Theatre in Sydney, and a long awaited return to New Zealand, putting in two gigs in Auckland and Christchurch. The band would be back on North American soil in August, partnering once again with THIN LIZZY and also adding one time DEEP PURPLE stand in JOE SATRIANI to the bill. UK dates for November had the band lined up with THUNDER and PETER FRAMPTON. Fans received a pleasant surprise at the group's 13th November stop at London's Wembley Arena when they were joined onstage for 'Black Night' by JON LORD. The following night, at the Cardiff International Arena, legendary ex-SCORPIONS guitarist ULI JON ROTH joined DEEP PURPLE, also jamming the encore of 'Black Night'.

In 2005 a documentary film was launched to celebrate IAN GILLAN's four decades of Rock n' Roll, the movie including contributions from the likes of TONY IOMMI, JOE SATRIANI, Ronnie James Dio, Sir Tim Rice, Luciano Pavarotti, DEF LEPPARD's Joe Elliott and JON LORD. The singer would also find himself in another on screen project, as part of the 'Rock School' documentary chronicling the pioneering work of Paul Green's School Of Rock Music in Philadelphia. Gillan fronted up a version of DEEP PURPLE's 'Highway Star' backed by musicians from the school. Working with producer Nick Blagona, the singer travelled to Toronto to cut an album during February to coincide, this featuring re-works of tracks from THE JAVELINS, EPISODE SIX, DEEP PURPLE, GILLAN and BLACK SABBATH. Of particular note would be a re-make of BLACK SABBATH's 'Trashed', from the 1983 'Born Again' album, featuring TONY IOMMI on guitar, ROGER GLOVER on bass and Ian Paice on drums.

Following a one off Swiss show on 3rd March DEEP PURPLE headed to Los Angeles to craft a new studio album 'Rapture Of The Deep' for new label Edel Records. The following month the band announced they were to close a four decade business relationship with EMI Records. Scandinavian dates in May strangely neglected the major territory of Sweden whilst including Norway, Finland and Denmark. To compensate, one canny Finnish businessman, Vesa Keskinen, offered to give Swedes attending the Finnish date free tickets. US gigs throughout June and July saw support from fellow veterans MOUNTAIN. The Canadian leg of the tour had the equally venerable APRIL WINE as support act. A notable gig in Barrie, Ontario, Canada on 2nd July saw DEEP PURPLE performing as part of the 'Live 8' global world poverty awareness concerts organised by Bob Geldof.

New material from 'Rapture Of The Deep' would be debuted on 10th October at an invite only "secret" gig held at London's Hard Rock Café. The set list included album tracks 'Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye', 'Rapture Of The Deep' and 'Wrong Man'. European television performances witnessed a temporary flux in the band line-up as DEEP PURPLE performed minus STEVE MORSE. Stepping in as substitute would be producer Michael Bradford, introduced by the title 'Ritchie Moreblack'.

During the band's Japanese tour in January 2006, leading US Progressive Rock act DREAM THEATER used their second night stands in Tokyo and Osaka to perform DEEP PURPLE's legendary 'Made In Japan' in its entirety. DEEP PURPLE and ALICE COOPER teamed up for a German tour in February 2006. April and May saw Australian "Double Trouble" gigs billed with STATUS QUO.

Surprisingly, 'Rapture Of The Deep' was given an expanded rush re-release, adding a host of extra tracks. Included would be five live tracks from the October 2005 London Hard Rock Cafe gig, the previously unreleased 'The Well Dressed Guitar', Japanese bonus track 'Things I Never Said' and a new version of 'Clearly Quite Absurd'.

Rumours circulated suggesting that none other than RITCHIE BLACKMORE might join the band onstage for their appearance at the 40th anniversary Montreux Jazz Festival after event manager Claude Nobs revealed discussions between the two parties had taken place. However, Blackmore's camp soon dismissed this suggestion as "false rumour".

DEEP PURPLE's planned appearance in Lebanon, at the Baalbek International festival on July 27th, was postponed following Israeli air attacks on Beirut airport. More positive news arrived in October when the original multi-track tapes for the 1974 classic album 'Stormbringer' were finally located to be used for an expanded re-issue. These masters included three different vocal takes for 'Soldier Of Fortune', an instrumental version of 'Highball Shooter' and singer David Coverdale's original backwards narrative for the start of the title track.

Ian Paice joined Italian guitarist Matt Filippini, of MOONSTONE PROJECT, for two Spanish dates in Madrid and Alicante during January 2007. Although both GLENN HUGHES and DAVID COVERDALE maintained a high profile with their own projects, both voiced a desire to pursue a DEEP PURPLE MK III reunion at some point in the future, Hughes revealing both JON LORD and Ritchie Blackmore had entered into these discussions.

However, shortly afterwards, Coverdale back tracked by announcing he had "not agreed in any way, shape or form, to a reformation of DEEP PURPLE Mark III. The only consideration would be my willingness to be involved in a 'one-off' charity show which would feature all surviving members of DEEP PURPLE."

An official career spanning, six hour autobiographical DVD of IAN GILLAN, 'Highway Star - A Journey in Rock' featured interviews with the likes of ROGER GLOVER, JON LORD, Colin Towns, Ian Paice, Don Airey, STEVE MORSE, Claude Nobs, TONY IOMMI, Luciano Pavarotti, Sir Tim Rice, Bruce Payne, Phil Banfield, Bron and Grace Gillan, Gillan's mother Audrey Parkinson, footballer George Best, Ronnie James Dio, JOE SATRIANI and DEF LEPPARD's Joe Elliott. Also included was unique concert footage from DEEP PURPLE shows in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Cardiff and Plymouth during 2004 plus London Astoria 2006.

DEEP PURPLE, THIN LIZZY and STYX teamed up for a UK tour in 2007. For these shows the group performed the entire classic 'Machine Head' album in sequence.

On June 17th 2008, Eagle Rock Entertainment released DEEP PURPLE's 'Around The World Live', a four-DVD box set chronicling live shows in 1995 India, 1999 Australia and 2002 England along with a fourth disc, 'Access All Areas', hosting a documentary of the band, plus eight songs from a 1995 concert in Seoul, South Korea, a 1999 documentary, 'A Band Down Under', and a 2002 interview with vocalist Ian Gillan and bassist Roger Glover.

Former DEEP PURPLE bassist Nick Simper announced tribute shows to DEEP PURPLE's original line-up, to be held in Austria with the Austrian rock band NASTY HABITS, taking place at Orpheum in Graz on 11th March 2009 and at Reige in Vienna on 14th March. The setlist was comprised entirely of tracks that were performed by DEEP PURPLE's original line-up.

Former DEEP PURPLE members Jon Lord and Glenn Hughes performed at the ChildLine Rocks concert on Monday 1st June at the IndigO2 in London. The set comprised Lord's 'Pictured Within' with guest vocalist Steve Balsamo, a version of PURPLE's 'Child In Time' with Balsamo singing and London Rockers THUNDER before Glenn Hughes came on stage shortly to perform 'You Keep On Moving'. Hughes then performed another PURPLE classic in 'Mistreated' and his solo hit 'Soul Mover' before the duo was back together on stage for the grand finale, a version of 'Smoke On The Water' played by all the musicians that attended the event.