Deep Purple is one of the most iconic rock bands in history, known for their pioneering contributions to the hard rock and heavy metal genres. Their music has left an indelible mark on the music industry. But beyond the riff-heavy anthems and legendary live performances, there’s a side to Deep Purple that many fans might not be aware of—the humorous and quirky moments that make up the band’s rich history. Here are 19 funny facts about Deep Purple that reveal a different side to their rock ‘n’ roll legend.
1. The Origin of the Name “Deep Purple“
One of the first funny stories in Deep Purple’s history is the creation of their name. Contrary to popular belief, the band’s name was not inspired by a deep philosophical concept or some mystical force. Instead, it came from the band’s keyboardist Jon Lord’s grandmother’s favorite song, “Deep Purple,” a 1930s jazz ballad by Peter DeRose. Lord apparently suggested the name as a joke, and it stuck.
2. Jon Lord’s Famed “Mickey Mouse” Riff
Jon Lord, the classically trained keyboardist and a core member of the band’s signature sound, was known for his impeccable musicianship. But what many people don’t know is that his iconic riff from “Smoke on the Water” was originally intended to be a humorous take on an old television theme song. Some claim that it was Jon Lord’s own playful riff that was inspired by the Mickey Mouse theme.
3. Ian Gillan’s Unusual Vocal Warm-Up
When Ian Gillan, the legendary Deep Purple frontman, was preparing for a concert, he would often perform a vocal warm-up that included singing opera arias and other operatic scales. To many fans, this quirky practice would be surprising—after all, Gillan is better known for his aggressive rock vocal style. But these warm-ups helped Gillan maintain his vocal range during their explosive live shows.
4. The Prankster Bassist: Roger Glover
Roger Glover, the band’s bass player, was always known as the prankster of the group. He enjoyed pulling elaborate pranks on his fellow bandmates, sometimes at the expense of others’ sanity. From hiding in cupboards to make sudden, unexpected noises to swapping out their clothes with outrageous outfits, Roger’s practical jokes added a lighthearted atmosphere to the intense work of touring and recording.
5. The “Truck-Driving” Rock Star
In a bizarre twist, Deep Purple’s bassist Roger Glover once spent time behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler truck during a brief break from the band. He had always been interested in driving, so he decided to take a short gig as a truck driver before returning to the world of rock stardom. The idea of a rock musician hauling freight while on a break is certainly a quirky aspect of Glover’s career!
6. “Smoke on the Water” Wasn’t Originally a Song
“Smoke on the Water,” arguably Deep Purple’s most iconic track, was inspired by a real event—the band’s experience during the infamous fire at a casino in Montreux, Switzerland. But the funny thing is, it wasn’t supposed to be a song at all! The band initially started playing the riff just to pass time during rehearsals, but it was so catchy that it eventually became the basis for one of the most recognizable rock songs of all time.
7. Ritchie Blackmore’s Famous Pranks
Ritchie Blackmore, the fiery guitarist behind Deep Purple’s early sound, was known for being quite the prankster himself. During one of the band’s early tours, Blackmore pulled a prank that would have put any comedian to shame. He decided to replace one of the band’s setlist pieces with a completely random, totally unplayable song. The rest of the band didn’t know until they were on stage, much to their surprise and frustration!
8. The Lost Purple Album: A Band Name Confusion
In one of the most confusing moments in Deep Purple’s history, a record was released with the band’s name on it… but the band members were nowhere to be found! In the early years, there was another band called “Deep Purple”—a group of session musicians with no connection to the famous rock band. The mix-up caused a lot of confusion among fans, especially when albums from the two different groups started showing up with the same name.
9. The Debut Album’s Unlikely Cover Art
The cover art of Deep Purple’s self-titled debut album was a source of humor and confusion among fans. The cover featured a bizarre, almost abstract illustration that, to many, seemed completely disconnected from the music inside. The artwork was actually done by a friend of the band, but the strange and almost childlike designs led to some playful ribbing from fans who couldn’t quite understand its connection to the band’s hard rock sound.
10. The Infamous “Purple Tea” Incident
One of the most amusing stories in Deep Purple’s history took place when the band had a private tea session during a break from touring. At one point, a member of the band jokingly poured what seemed like a harmless amount of liquid into a teapot—but it turned out to be much stronger than they anticipated. The resultingchaos of over-caffeinated bandmates left everyone in fits of laughter.
11. The Band’s Love for Exotic Pets
As if being rock stars wasn’t enough, Deep Purple members had a surprising hobby: collecting exotic pets. From parrots to snakes, the band’s members kept a variety of unusual pets during their tours. Some members, like Jon Lord, kept snakes in their hotel rooms, which added an extra layer of intrigue (and laughter) to the band’s already wild lifestyle.
12. Deep Purple’s “Un-Political” Statements
While rock stars are often known for making bold political statements, Deep Purple intentionally took the opposite approach. According to guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, the band always avoided discussing politics, as they believed that music should be about unity, not division. While this wasn’t so much a joke, the members’ refusal to engage in political debate became a running gag among the press.
13.Jon Lord’s Opera Ambitions
Despite being part of a rock band that became synonymous with loud, heavy guitar riffs and wailing vocals, Jon Lord had strong aspirations in classical music. Before joining Deep Purple, Lord was training as a classical pianist and composer. The humor lies in the fact that he was often caught between two worlds: the refined, elegant world of classical music and the gritty, rebellious world of rock ‘n’ roll.
14. The “Headbanging” Song
The creation of the headbanging anthem “Smoke on the Water” came with a funny, unexpected twist. The song was initially written as an experimental piece, and the band didn’t even anticipate it becoming a hit. It was only after the song’s release that the band realized it had unwittingly created the ultimate song for headbanging—and they chuckled at how their experimental jam had turned into an enduring classic.
15. The Unlikely Friendship With Black Sabbath
Deep Purple’s friendship with Black Sabbath, another legendary rock band, was always a source of humor. Both bands were pioneers in the heavy metal scene, but their personalities couldn’t have been more different. Where Black Sabbath was often dark and brooding, Deep Purple maintained a more lighthearted, fun-loving atmosphere. Their interactions on tour were full of pranks, rivalries, and mutual respect, making their collaborations some of the most amusing in rock history.
16. The Band’s Unlikely “Diva” Moments
While Deep Purple was known for their rebellious image, members occasionally indulged in some diva-like behavior, especially when it came to catering. Stories have surfaced about the band’s extremely specific demands for food and drinks on tour—ranging from a specific brand of wine to a particular type of bread. The band’s over-the-top requests became the subject of numerous laughs among their crew members.
17. The “Purple People Eater” Incident
One of the more humorous stories comes from a press conference in the early days of the band’s career. When asked about the origins of their name, Ian Gillan jokingly claimed that the band was named after a giant purple monster. He even dubbed it the “Purple People Eater,” referencing the silly 1950s novelty song. Fans and press alike were in stitches as the frontman’s whimsical story quickly spread across the media.
18. The Vanishing Hotel Room Incident
In one of the funniest and most bizarre moments, Deep Purple arrived at a hotel only to find that their rooms had mysteriously vanished! Apparently, a mix-up led to the band being double-booked, and the members ended up sleeping in completely different rooms, far apart from each other. The band found the situation hilarious and laughed about it for years afterward, calling it the “vanishing hotel room incident.”
19. Deep Purple’s Unlikely Career in Commercials
Though the band was known for their hard rock persona, they were surprisingly featured in several television commercials over the years. The funny part? These commercials were for products that seemed totally at odds with their image—everything from car insurance to breakfast cereals. Deep Purple’s appearances in these commercials became a beloved part of their legacy, showing just how multifaceted and unexpectedly fun the band could be.
Conclusion
Deep Purple may be known for their groundbreaking music and larger-than-life performances, but behind the scenes, they are just as famous for their quirky, humorous moments. From naming their band after a jazz ballad to their mischievous antics on tour, these funny facts offer a glimpse into the lighter side of rock ‘n’ roll legends. Deep Purple’s legacy is not just defined by their unforgettable music, but also by the humor and camaraderie that has always defined their journey.
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