When it comes to 1970s bands, Deep Purple is in the cream of the crop conversation. Throughout multiple lineups and evolving styles, they made their impact on the musical scene and helped pioneer the heavy metal sound with their fiery brand of hard rock.
As any Deep Purple fan knows, they switched out members multiple times since their formation in the late 60s, going from Mark I to Mark IV and then back to Mark II again for a reunion in the 1980s. Multiple specimens of rock royalty graced the lineups of Deep Purple, like Ritchie Blackmore, David Coverdale, and Tommy Bolin.
Whether they were playing psychedelic prog or heavy hard rock, Deep Purple was a force to be reckoned with. Enjoy these photos of a band on the top of their game in the greatest decade for rock and roll.
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Ritchie Blackmore with Deep Purple at California Jam in 1974
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Deep Purple Mark II lineup, 1974
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Deep Purple performing live on British TV Show ‘Doing Their Thing’ in 1970
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Deep Purple in Glasgow, 1970
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Jon Lord at Columbia Studios in Los Angeles, 1975
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Deep Purple in the studio, 1970
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Deep Purple photographed for their 1976 tour
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Ritchie Blackmore performing live with Deep Purple, 1971
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Jon Lord showing off his setup, 1971
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Jon Lord performing live in the 70s
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Jon Lord at California Jam, 1974
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Deep Purple backstage in 1970
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David Coverdale during his tenure as the frontman for Deep Purple, circa 1975
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Ian Gillan performing with Deep Purple in Germany, 1970
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David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple performing at California Jam in 1974
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Deep Purple Mark II in 1972
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David Coverdale, then lead singer of Deep Purple, in 1975. They split a year later and he went on to form Whitesnake
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Tommy Bolin, guitarist in Deep Purple, rehearsing at Columbia Studios in 1975. He would pass away from an overdose a year and a half later at age 25.
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Deep Purple on the Starship, their private jet, in the 70s
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The original lineup of Deep Purple, 1968
