In 1970, Deep Purple burst on to the British rock scene with their hit "Black Night" and bestselling album "Deep Purple in Rock". This is the autobiography of their lead singer, Ian Gillan. Here he tells his life story, and that of the band he helped to make great. Stories of friction and violence, groupies and non-stop partying, drugs and alcohol, and how, finally, it all spiralled out of control to destroy the band. This book traces Gillan's career from his childhood in Hounslow and early days with bands such as Episode Six and The Javelins. It concentrates on the international fame he found with songs including "Smoke on the Water" and "Child in Time". His outrageous life continues with Black Sabbath and the Gillan band, with whom he toured worldwide, whilst also writing consistently bestselling albums and singles.

In 1970, Deep Purple burst on to the British rock scene with their hit "Blackight" and bestselling album "Deep Purple in Rock". This is the autobiographyf their lead singer, Ian Gillan. Here he tells his life story, and that ofhe band he helped to make great. Stories of friction and violence, groupiesnd non-stop partying, drugs and alcohol, and how, finally, it all spiralledut of control to destroy the band.;This book traces Gillan's career from hishildhood in Hounslow and early days with bands such as Episode Six and Theavelins. It concentrates on the international fame he found with songsncluding "Smoke on the Water" and "Child in Time". His outrageous lifeontinues with Black Sabbath and the Gillan band, with whom he touredorldwide, whilst also writing consistently bestselling albums and singles.

It is now 35 years since Deep Purple first came together and today -- 14 musicians, 17 albums, and millions of record sales later -- the group remains a monster. Smoke on the Water is the first book in more than 20 years to tell the story of this remarkable band, from their grandiose inception in 1968 to the release of their latest album in 2003. Drawing from candid interviews with band members, associates, and fans alike, it traces the group through some of the most turbulent times that any band has survived, placing the band's own music in vivid context and illustrating just how profoundly this one group helped change the world.

This is the story of British rock group Deep Purple, from 1968 to the present day, concentrating on their breakthrough album 'Deep Purple in Rock' and the years 1969-1970.