Members
Fifteen musicians, nine line-ups (Mk I–IX) – and only one who has been there all along: Ian Paice.
Today's band – Mk IX
NOWThe voice of Child in Time and Highway Star. Also sang with Black Sabbath for a while (Born Again, 1983) and led his own bands such as Gillan.
NOWNorthern Irish guitarist who took over from Steve Morse in 2022. Plays on =1 (2024).
NOWTook over from Jon Lord. Has played with Rainbow, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake and many more.
NOWBassist, songwriter and producer. Got the title Smoke on the Water in a dream, he says. Also played in Rainbow.
NOWThe only member who has been in every single line-up. Known for his swinging, jazz-inspired drumming.
50+ years on one line
The line-ups Mk I–IX
Evans, Blackmore, Lord, Simper, Paice
The debut Shades of Deep Purple and the US breakthrough with Hush.
♪ Shades of Deep PurpleRead about Mk I →Gillan, Blackmore, Lord, Glover, Paice
The classic one: In Rock, Fireball, Machine Head and Made in Japan.
♪ Machine HeadRead about Mk II →
Coverdale, Hughes, Blackmore, Lord, Paice
Burn and Stormbringer – more soul and funk in the sound.
♪ BurnRead about Mk III →
Coverdale, Hughes, Bolin, Lord, Paice
Come Taste the Band. The band split up in 1976.
♪ Come Taste the BandRead about Mk IV →Gillan, Blackmore, Lord, Glover, Paice
Comeback with Perfect Strangers, then The House of Blue Light.
♪ Perfect StrangersRead about Mk II →
Turner, Blackmore, Lord, Glover, Paice
Slaves and Masters.
♪ Slaves and MastersRead about Mk V →Gillan, Blackmore, Lord, Glover, Paice
The Battle Rages On… Blackmore left the tour in 1993.
♪ The Battle Rages OnRead about Mk II →
Gillan, Satriani, Lord, Glover, Paice
Joe Satriani saved the tour.
Read about Mk VI →
Gillan, Morse, Lord, Glover, Paice
New energy with Purpendicular and Abandon.
♪ PurpendicularRead about Mk VII →Gillan, Morse, Airey, Glover, Paice
The longest line-up: from Bananas to Turning to Crime.
♪ Now What?!Read about Mk VIII →Gillan, McBride, Airey, Glover, Paice
Today's band. The album =1 came out in 2024.
♪ =1Read about Mk IX →Former members
The guitarist behind the Smoke on the Water riff. Formed Rainbow in 1975 and later Blackmore's Night.
Master of the Hammond organ and the driving force behind Concerto for Group and Orchestra (1969). Died 16 July 2012.
The first singer – the voice of Hush. Later in Captain Beyond.
The first bassist, on the first three albums.
An unknown shop assistant brought in for Burn. Later formed Whitesnake.
Came from Trapeze and shared lead vocals with Coverdale. Has also sung with Black Sabbath and Black Country Communion.
American guitarist who replaced Blackmore on Come Taste the Band. Died in December 1976, only 25 years old.
Came from Rainbow and sang on Slaves and Masters (1990).
Stepped in on tour after Blackmore quit in 1993.
The band's guitarist for almost 30 years – from Purpendicular to Turning to Crime. Known from Dixie Dregs.