| One of the
longest running and most prolific of hard rock/ proto-heavy-metal bands,
Deep Purple appeared in the wake of the psychedelic era, sporting a
harder sound than anything that had come before. The classic '70s lineup
(featuring virtuoso guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, wailing tenor Ian
Gillan, and classically influenced keyboardist Jon Lord) established the
template for countless metal bands that followed in their wake. They
went through numerous lineup changes over the years, with singers David
Coverdale and Joe Lynn Turner and guitarists Tommy Bolin and Steve Morse
all passing through the ranks. Sporadic reunions saw the key members
returning to the fold, from the '80s onward. |
