From their progressive roots with The Book of Taliesyn, to the classic albums In Rock, Fireball, Machine Head, and Made in Japan, Deep Purple epitomized the sound of hard rock for a whole generation. Michael Heatley’s account of one of the bestselling British rock acts of all time looks in detail at every album of the band’s original incarnation, from Shades of Deep Purple to Come Taste the Band and Made in Europe. Heatley also covers the recording sessions and the tours, the comings and goings of band personnel, the feuds between Ritchie Blackmore and Ian Gillan, and the final break-up. The career of each band member after the split is also covered (Whitesnake, Rainbow, and more), as well as what may lie in the future for Deep Purple and their fans.

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.

Few would deny that Deep Purple were one of the most influential and popular heavy rock bands to emerge from the melting pot of the late '60s. They went through several line-up changes, and stylistic shifts, before splitting up for the first time in the mid 1970s. Talismanic guitarist Ritchie Blackmore carried the spirit on when he formed Rainbow after leaving Purple in 1975, particularly through his partnership with legendary singer Ronnie James Dio. Deep Purple reformed some years later, of course, but many consider this original, sometimes turbulent, decade to be their most significant. Steve Pilkington puts his focus on the period from Shades Of Deep Purple in 1968 through to the first dissolution of the band after Come Taste The Band in 1976, via such classics as Machine Head and in Rock. He also discusses the first four Rainbow studio albums, including the classic Rainbow Raising and the hit-laden Down To Earth album in 1979, taking a look at every song from every album in detail. He also discusses live recordings plus DVD and video releases. The result is the most exhaustive guide to the band's music yet produced, as critical opinion rubs shoulders with facts, trivia and anecdotes to provide a fascinating 'alternative history' of these revered bands . Whether you are a hardcore fan or simply want a guide through the world which lies beyond Smoke On The Water, this book is for you.

Accompanied by four films on DVD: Made in Japan, Burn, Masters from the vaults, Reflections.

Details of every Deep Purple album and 7" single UK vinyl release on the Parlophone, Harvest and Purple Records labels from 1968 to 1982 with full colour, high quality photography throughout of labels, sleeves and inserts along with detailed analysis and identifi cation of the crucial 1st pressing details of every album and single. Essential reading for collectors of Deep Purple UK 1st pressings. The only book of its kind with this information for vinyl record collectors of rare UK first pressing Deep Purple albums and singles.