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List of Deep Purple members

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(left to right) Nick Simper (top), Ritchie Blackmore (bottom), Ian Paice, Jon Lord and Rod Evans
(left to right) Jon Lord, Roger Glover, Ian Gillan, Ritchie Blackmore and Ian Paice
(left to right) Glenn Hughes, David Coverdale (top), Tommy Bolin (bottom), Ian Paice and Jon Lord
(left to right) Jon Lord, Roger Glover, Joe Lynn Turner, Ian Paice and Ritchie Blackmore
(left to right) Ian Paice, Roger Glover, Steve Morse, Don Airey and Ian Gillan
(left to right) Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Ian Gillan, Don Airey and Simon McBride
Deep Purple, from top to bottom, in 1968 (Mark I), 1970 (Mark II), 1976 (Mark IV), 1991 (Mark V), 2013 (Mark VIII) and 2022 (Mark IX).

Deep Purple are a British hard rock band originally from Hertford. Formed in March 1968, the group originally included vocalist Rod Evans, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, bassist Nick Simper, keyboardist Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice ("Mark I"). In mid-1969, Evans and Simper were replaced by Ian Gillan and Roger Glover ("Mark II"). After four years, Gillan and Glover departed in 1973, and were replaced by David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes ("Mark III"). Tommy Bolin replaced Blackmore in 1975 ("Mark IV"), with this lineup continuing until Deep Purple broke up in July 1976. The group re-formed in April 1984 with the "Mark II" lineup of Blackmore, Lord, Paice, Gillan and Glover. The current lineup, dubbed "Mark IX", features Paice, Gillan, Glover, guitarist Simon McBride and keyboardist Don Airey.

History

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1968–1976

[edit]

Deep Purple were formed under the name Roundabout in March 1968 by vocalist Rod Evans, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, bassist Nick Simper, keyboardist Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice.[1] Lord and Simper had previously played together with The Flower Pot Men, and Simper had earlier worked briefly with Blackmore;[2] Evans and Paice were brought in from The Maze, whom Blackmore had seen performing.[1] The group soon changed their name to Deep Purple, after the song of the same name by Nino Tempo & April Stevens.[3] Deep Purple quickly recorded their first album Shades of Deep Purple, which was issued in July 1968.[4] After The Book of Taliesyn and Deep Purple, Blackmore, Lord and Paice made the decision in May 1969 to dismiss Evans and Simper, wanting to pursue a heavier direction that they deemed the pair unsuitable for.[5]

Ian Gillan replaced original lead vocalist Rod Evans in 1969 and stayed until 1973. He re-joined the band in 1984 but was fired in 1989. In 1992, he returned to the band and is still with them to this day.

By the time the original lineup, subsequently dubbed "Mark I", played their last show on 4 July 1969, new vocalist Ian Gillan and bassist Roger Glover had already been recruited from Episode Six.[6] During its four-year tenure, the "Mark II" lineup established itself as the most commercially and critically acclaimed of the group's history, releasing the studio albums Deep Purple in Rock, Fireball, Machine Head and Who Do We Think We Are, in addition to the live albums Concerto for Group and Orchestra and Made in Japan.[7] However, following increasing tensions and exhaustion, in October 1972 Gillan informed the rest of the band that he would be leaving after the remaining tour dates were completed.[8] Glover followed the singer later in providing his resignation, believing that Blackmore wanted him to leave.[5] The final show of the tour took place on 29 June 1973 in Osaka, Japan, after which Gillan and Glover both left and "Mark II" came to an end.[9][10]

On 14 July 1973, it was announced in Melody Maker magazine that Glenn Hughes of Trapeze had replaced Glover on bass.[11] Paul Rodgers, who had been a member of Free until their recent breakup, was initially offered the role of frontman, but he declined to focus on the formation of Bad Company.[12] The position vacated by Gillan was later taken by David Coverdale, who auditioned in the summer and was unveiled as Deep Purple's new vocalist on 23 September 1973.[13] After "Mark III" released Burn and Stormbringer, the creatively frustrated Blackmore recorded a self-titled debut album by a new project dubbed Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (later shortened to just Rainbow) in early 1975.[14] This ultimately led to his departure from Deep Purple, which was officially announced on 21 June 1975.[15] Despite Blackmore's core creative role in the band, Deep Purple continued with the addition of former James Gang guitarist Tommy Bolin.[16] After just one album, Come Taste the Band, "Mark IV" played their final show on 15 March 1976, before breaking up officially on 19 July.[17] Bolin died of a heroin overdose that December.[18]

1984 onward

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Joe Lynn Turner, formerly of Rainbow (Blackmore's other band) replaced Ian Gillan in 1989 before being replaced by Gillan in 1992.

After eight years of inactivity, on 27 April 1984 it was announced that the "Mark II" lineup of Deep Purple were set to return for a worldwide tour and a new album.[19] The reunion of Gillan, Blackmore, Glover, Lord and Paice lasted for five years and spawned two studio albums, Perfect Strangers and The House of Blue Light.[7] By the middle of 1989, however, Gillan had left the group for a second time, with the other members firing him due to creative and personal differences.[20] After auditioning and rehearsing with numerous potential replacements for the vocalist, the band eventually enlisted Joe Lynn Turner, who had previously worked with Blackmore and Glover in Rainbow, to take Gillan's place in December 1989.[21] This "Mark V" lineup recorded just one album, Slaves and Masters, which was released in 1990 and promoted on tour throughout 1991.[7]

In August 1992, despite having started work on the band's next album, Turner was suddenly dismissed from Deep Purple.[22] Gillan subsequently returned for a third stint as lead vocalist, as management wanted the classic "Mark II" lineup back together for a planned 25th anniversary tour, and the band issued The Battle Rages On... in 1993.[23][24] Blackmore was unhappy with Gillan's return and Turner's firing, however, which led to renewed and increasing tensions between the pair on the subsequent touring cycle.[25] The guitarist played his final show with Deep Purple on 17 November 1993.[26] After briefly considering disbanding, the band added Joe Satriani in Blackmore's place for a string of pre-arranged tour dates, including shows in Japan and Europe starting in December.[27] This "Mark VI" arrangement was only temporary, however, with the guitarist returning to his solo career at the end of the run in July 1994.[27]

Steve Morse replaced temporary guitarist Joe Satriani in 1994 and stayed with the band until 2022 when he left to care for his ill wife and was replaced by Simon McBride.

Blackmore was eventually officially replaced by former Dixie Dregs and Kansas guitarist Steve Morse on August 17, 1994, who debuted with the band at three low-key gigs in November 1994 and was later offered the position permanently.[28] The "Mark VII" lineup remained stable throughout the rest of the decade, releasing two studio albums in Purpendicular and Abandon.[7] In March 2002, it was announced that Lord – a member of every lineup of Deep Purple to date – was set to amicably retire from the group, with Don Airey taking his place.[29] The keyboardist's departure left Paice as the sole remaining constant member of the band.[30] The "Mark VIII" lineup of Gillan, Morse, Glover, Airey and Paice released six studio albums: Bananas in 2003, Rapture of the Deep in 2005, Now What?! in 2013, Infinite in 2017, Whoosh! in 2020 and Turning to Crime in 2021.[31] The lineup remained active until March 2022, when the band announced that Steve Morse would go on a hiatus and be replaced by Simon McBride,[32] who has previously toured with both Ian Gillan and Don Airey.[33] On 23 July 2022, it was announced that Steve Morse had permanently left.[34]

Members

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Current

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Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
2023 Sweden Rock - 1881 (53049913723).jpg
 Ian Paice
  • 1968–1976
  • 1984–present
  • drums
  • percussion
 all Deep Purple releases
2023 Sweden Rock - 1801 (53048840692).jpg
 Roger Glover
  • 1969–1973
  • 1984–present (hiatus 2011)
  • bass
  • additional keyboards
  • occasional backing vocals (1984, 1990, 2021)
2023 Sweden Rock - 1988 (53049612849).jpg
 Ian Gillan
  • 1969–1973
  • 1984–1989
  • 1992–present
  • lead vocals
  • percussion
  • harmonica
  • occasional guitar
  • all Deep Purple studio albums from Deep Purple in Rock (1970) to Who Do We Think We Are (1973),Perfect Strangers (1984), The House of Blue Light (1987), and from The Battle Rages On... (1993) onward
  • all Deep Purple Marks II, VII and VIII live releases
2023 Sweden Rock - 1700 (53049806580).jpg
 Don Airey 2002–present keyboards
  • all Deep Purple studio albums from Bananas (2003) onward
  • all Deep Purple Mark VIII live releases
2023 Sweden Rock - 2075 (53049914403) (cropped).jpg
 Simon McBride
  • 2022–present
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
 =1 (2024)

Former

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Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Jon Lord (1976).JPG
 Jon Lord
  • 1968–1976
  • 1984–2002 (died 2012)
  • keyboards
  • occasional backing vocals (1968–1969, 1974–1976)
Ritchie Blackmore in 2016.jpg
 Ritchie Blackmore
  • 1968–1975
  • 1984–1993
 guitar
  • all Deep Purple studio albums from Shades of Deep Purple (1968) to Stormbringer (1974), and from Perfect Strangers (1984) to The Battle Rages On... (1993)
  • all Deep Purple Marks I–III live releases
Rod Evans (Captian Beyond).png
 Rod Evans 1968–1969 lead vocals
Nick_Simper.jpg
 Nick Simper
  • bass
  • backing vocals
Glenn Hughes - 2011 (cropped).jpg
 Glenn Hughes 1973–1976
  • bass
  • backing and lead vocals
  • Burn (1974)
  • Stormbringer (1974)
  • Come Taste the Band (1975)
  • all Deep Purple Marks III–IV live releases
Whitesnake - Nijmegen 2008.jpg
 David Coverdale lead and backing vocals
Tommy_Bolin_with_a_Yamaha_SX.jpg
 Tommy Bolin 1975–1976 (died 1976)
  • guitar
  • backing and occasional lead vocals
  • Come Taste the Band (1975)
  • all Deep Purple Mark IV live releases
JLTurner.jpg
 Joe Lynn Turner 1989–1992 lead vocals Slaves and Masters (1990)
Joe satriani without sunglasses 2004.jpg
 Joe Satriani 1993–1994 guitar none
Deep Purple - inFinite - The Long Goodbye Tour - Barclaycard Arena Hamburg 2017 000.jpg
 Steve Morse
  • 1994–2022
  • guitar
  • backing vocals (1995)

Touring

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Notes
Christopher_Cross_(52289899209).jpg
 Christopher Cross 1970 guitar On 28 August 1970, Cross briefly filled in for Ritchie Blackmore, as he had a bad flu shot. Together with Cross, the group played a concert in the city of San Antonio at the «Jam Factory».[35][36][37][38]
Randy California 1972 (died 1997) On 6 April 1972, Randy temporarily filled in for Blackmore at a concert in Quebec, as he contracted hepatitis.[39][40]
Candice Night in 2012 04 (cropped).jpg
 Candice Night 1993 backing vocals Night performed backing vocals at select dates on Deep Purple's 1993 tour on the request of Ritchie Blackmore.[41]
Nick Fyffe (13651599323).jpg
 Nick Fyffe 2011 bass Fyffe filled in for Roger Glover for a series of European dates in 2011.[42]
Jordan Rudess (2952798883).jpg
 Jordan Rudess 2020 keyboards Rudess filled in for Don Airey for one show in March 2020, while Airey was absent for undisclosed reasons.[43]
Adam Wakeman pic 1.jpg
 Adam Wakeman 2023 Wakeman filled in for one show while Airey was absent due to an illness.[44]

Session

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Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Beth_Hart,_March_2022.jpg
 Beth Hart 2003 backing vocals Bananas (2003)
Paul Buckmaster 2003 (died 2017) string arrangement and cello
MB-TBird_ViperRoom.jpg
 Michael Bradford 2003 guitar
Jason Roller 2012 acoustic guitar Now What?! (2013)
Eric Darken percussion
Mike Johnson steel guitar
David Hamilton additional keyboards
Students of Nimbus School of Recording Arts gang vocals
Bob Ezrin
  • 2012
  • 2016
  • 2020
  • 2021
  • vocals
  • percussion
  • additional keyboards
Tommy_Denander_2010.jpg
 Tommy Denander 2016 additional guitar Infinite (2017)
Saam Hashemi 2020 programming Whoosh! (2020)
Ayana George backing vocals
Tiffany Palmer
Nicole Thalia 2021 Turning to Crime (2021)
Marsha B. Morrison
Leo Green
  • tenor saxophone
  • horns arrangement
Matt Holland trumpet
Gina Forsyth fiddle
Bruce Daigrepont squeeze box
Julian Shank percussion

Timeline

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Lineups

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Lineup (period) Members Studio albums Live albums
Mark I
(March 1968 – July 1969)
Mark II
(July 1969 – June 1973)
  • Ian Gillan – vocals, percussion, harmonica
  • Ritchie Blackmore – guitars
  • Roger Glover – bass
  • Jon Lord – keyboards
  • Ian Paice – drums, percussion
Mark III
(September 1973 – April 1975)
  • David Coverdale – vocals
  • Ritchie Blackmore – guitars
  • Glenn Hughes – bass, vocals
  • Jon Lord – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Ian Paice – drums, percussion
Mark IV
(June 1975 – March 1976)
  • David Coverdale – vocals
  • Tommy Bolin – guitars, vocals
  • Glenn Hughes – bass, vocals
  • Jon Lord – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Ian Paice – drums, percussion
Band inactive July 1976 – April 1984
Mark II (reunion)
(April 1984 – December 1989)
  • Ian Gillan – vocals, percussion, harmonica
  • Ritchie Blackmore – guitars
  • Roger Glover – bass
  • Jon Lord – keyboards
  • Ian Paice – drums, percussion
Mark V
(December 1989 – August 1992)
  • Joe Lynn Turner – vocals
  • Ritchie Blackmore – guitars
  • Roger Glover – bass
  • Jon Lord – keyboards
  • Ian Paice – drums, percussion
 none
Mark II (second reunion)
(August 1992 – November 1993)
  • Ian Gillan – vocals, percussion, harmonica
  • Ritchie Blackmore – guitars
  • Roger Glover – bass
  • Jon Lord – keyboards
  • Ian Paice – drums, percussion
Mark VI
(November 1993 – July 1994)
  • Ian Gillan – vocals, percussion, harmonica
  • Joe Satriani – guitars
  • Roger Glover – bass
  • Jon Lord – keyboards
  • Ian Paice – drums, percussion
 none
Mark VII
(July 1994 – March 2002)
  • Ian Gillan – vocals, percussion, harmonica
  • Steve Morse – guitars
  • Roger Glover – bass
  • Jon Lord – keyboards
  • Ian Paice – drums, percussion
Mark VIII
(March 2002 – March 2022)
  • Ian Gillan – vocals, percussion, harmonica
  • Steve Morse – guitars
  • Roger Glover – bass
  • Don Airey – keyboards
  • Ian Paice – drums, percussion
Mark IX
(April 2022 – present)
  • Ian Gillan – vocals, percussion, harmonica
  • Simon McBride – guitars, backing vocals
  • Roger Glover – bass
  • Don Airey – keyboards
  • Ian Paice – drums, percussion
 none

References

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  1. ^ a b Makowski, Peter (19 July 2016). "Deep Purple - Playing With Fire". Classic Rock. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  2. ^ Barton, Geoff (20 February 2015). "The Real Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame: Nick Simper". Classic Rock. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  3. ^ Wall, Mick (2007). "Deep Purple: A Band In Time". Planet Rock. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  4. ^ Eder, Bruce. "Shades of Deep Purple - Deep Purple: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  5. ^ a b Tyler, Kieron. "On The Roundabout With Deep Purple". Deep Purple Appreciation Society. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  6. ^ Gillan, Ian (15 December 2016). Ian Gillan: The Autobiography of Deep Purple's Lead Singer. London, England: John Blake Publishing. p. 64. ISBN 978-1786063519. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  7. ^ a b c d Rivadavia, Eduardo (20 February 2016). "Deep Purple Lineup Changes: A Complete Guide". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  8. ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Ian Gillan: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  9. ^ Cornyn, Stan (22 October 2013). "Stay Tuned By Stan Cornyn: Loudest Purple". Rhino Entertainment. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  10. ^ Gillan, Ian (20 September 2016). "Ian Gillan: The Day I Left Deep Purple". Classic Rock. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  11. ^ Priddey, Neil (4 October 2014). Purple Records: 1971–1978. Lulu.com. p. 120. ISBN 978-1291942682. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  12. ^ Barton, Geoff (2 November 2015). "Deep Purple: "Paul Rodgers would have fitted in until the first fight"". Louder. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  13. ^ Coverdale, David (30 November 2018). "King David" (PDF). Rock Candy. p. 57. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  14. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo (7 April 2015). "How Ritchie Blackmore Ended His First Tenure With Deep Purple". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  15. ^ McPadden, Mike (4 August 2015). "Ritchie's Blackmore's Rainbow: 40 Facts About the Classic Album". VH1. Archived from the original on 7 August 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  16. ^ Barton, Geoff (29 August 2017). "Deep Purple: Exit The Man In Black..." Classic Rock. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  17. ^ Thompson, Dave (17 June 2004). Smoke on the Water: The Deep Purple Story. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: ECW Press. p. 191. ISBN 978-1550226188. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  18. ^ Prato, Greg (17 November 2016). "Marching Powder: The High Times And Fast Life Of Tommy Bolin". Classic Rock. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  19. ^ Thompson, Dave (17 June 2004). Smoke on the Water: The Deep Purple Story. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: ECW Press. p. 243. ISBN 978-1550226188. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  20. ^ "Deep Purple Falls On Vocalist Gillan" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 794. Los Angeles, California: Radio & Records, Inc. 23 June 1989. p. 42. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  21. ^ Thompson, Dave (17 June 2004). Smoke on the Water: The Deep Purple Story. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: ECW Press. p. 260. ISBN 978-1550226188. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  22. ^ "Joe Lynn Turner Interview (1992)". trinkelbonker. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  23. ^ Lifton, Dave (5 January 2013). "Deep Purple to Reissue 'Slaves and Masters'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  24. ^ "The Battle Rages On... - Deep Purple: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  25. ^ Thompson, Dave (17 June 2004). Smoke on the Water: The Deep Purple Story. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: ECW Press. pp. 271–274. ISBN 978-1550226188. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  26. ^ "Deep Purple: 'Time To Kill' Book Focusing On Classic Lineup Due In November". Blabbermouth.net. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  27. ^ a b "Joe Satriani: Why I Left Deep Purple". Ultimate Guitar. 5 November 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  28. ^ "Steve Morse Joins Deep Purple". Darker Than Blue. No. 47. Deep Purple Appreciation Society. December 1994. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  29. ^ "Jon Lord Leaves Deep Purple, Is Replaced By Don Airey". Blabbermouth.net. 16 March 2002. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  30. ^ Sexton, Paul (29 June 2018). "Deep Purple's Ever-Present Paice-Setter". uDiscoverMusic. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  31. ^ Ankeny, Jason. "Deep Purple: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  32. ^ Lewry, Fraser (31 March 2022). "Steve Morse to go on hiatus from Deep Purple". www.loudersound.com. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  33. ^ Divita, Joe (6 May 2019). "Deep Purple Announce 2019 U.S. Tour". Loudwire. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  34. ^ Skinner, Tom (23 July 2022). "Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse officially quits band to care for his ill wife". NME. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  35. ^ Jeff Giles (26 February 2018). "Deep Purple Albums Ranked". Ultimate Classic Rock. Archived from the original on 31 August 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  36. ^ Margaret Moser. "The Reluctant Celebrity: Christopher Cross." The Austin Chronicle. 20 January 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  37. ^ Cross, Christopher (18 October 2013). "Christopher Cross". Songfacts (Interview). Interviewed by Greg Prato. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  38. ^ After the concert, Blackmore met with Cross and thanked him.
  39. ^ "Episode #92 – Deep Purple Live in Quebec with Randy California - The Deep Purple Podcast". deeppurplepodcast.com. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  40. ^ [1] [dead link‍]
  41. ^ "Deep Purple's Blackmore happily leaves hard-rock days behind". Goldmine. 11 July 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  42. ^ "Nick Fyffe rocks Yamaha basses with Deep Purple". MusicRadar. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  43. ^ "Dream Theater Keyboardist Jordan Rudess Performs Live With Deep Purple In Mexico City; Fan-Filmed Video Posted". BraveWords. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  44. ^ "Watch: DEEP PURPLE Performs With Fill-In Keyboardist ADAM WAKEMAN". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 19 December 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
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