When back in 1968 the well-known gangs had thrown a tomato to Jon Lord, they didn't know that they had just attacked against a group which was meant to be one of the greatest groups in the history of music. Everything started when Chris Curtis(ex-Searcher's drummer) had an idea of making a band which would be called "Roundabout" and would be apparted from Rich Blackore(guitar, ex-Lord Sutch/Dominators/Crusaders), Jon Lord(Hammond organ, ex-Artwoods/Flowerpot men) and him as drummer and vocalist. So he called Richie but Ritchie didn't thought the band had any chances, so he left. But Richie did like Jon and after they kicked Chris out, they decided to make a band together. A singer and a drummer had to be found, as Nick Simper had joined the group. For the singer's place came Rod Evans who had played with bands such as Maze etc... From this group also came Ian Paice a drummer who had impressed Ritchie & Jon. So they started writting song for their first album which was recorded within 18 hours at Pye studios near Marble arch and was named "Shades of Deep Purple". Band first single was Billy-Joe Royal's "Hush", which went #4 in Billboard and #24 in TS chart. But in UK the album was not succesfull at all. In UK they all thought they group was American. When Deep Purple's second album "The book of taliesyn" was published this idea was sustained. The group was opening Cream's concerts but Eric Clapton didn't want them to, 'cause everyday Ritchie was more praised by the audience. The album went #50 in Billboard and their new single "Kentuky woman" was also a success. After their third album simply named "Deep Purple"(which although it was their best till that time was again a failure) Richie & Jon decided to fire Nick and Rod 'cause they thought these two didn't fit in the band's increasing standards. So they started searching for a new vocalist and a new bass player.

The new two members where both from a band named "Episode Six". They were Ian Gillan(vocals) and Roger Glover(bassist) known as "Stinky Hippy". "When me and Roger had to go for rehearsals for Deep Purple we had only a good suit and I was wearing it! So, Roger came without suit and with a pair of old blue-jeans", Ian remembers...
The first move of the band was a concert for rock group and classical orchestra written and arranged by Jon Lord, which took place at 24/09/1969. The orchestra Jon chosen was the classic philharmonic orchestra of London and the band, of course, Deep Purple. The concert was leaded by sir Malcom Young one of the most popular maestros ever. This concert was recorded to a live album named "Concerto for group and orchestra" which contained the concerto and some new Purple songs.
The first single was "Halleluia" and the first album "In Rock", a classic album which 28 years after is one of the best heavy metal albums ever recorded and it was the album that turned Deep Purple into the best heavy/rock band ever. The reason for this turn into heavy/rock was Roger Glover who wanted a pure heavy album and he writhed that kind of music. In July the "Black Night" single was out and it went straight to #1 while Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" was in #3. The band started touring endlessly, playing most of the songs from "In Rock". Their fan triumph came when the played to the NJF festival where they were going to play before "Yes" something that Deep Purple didn't like. So, when they finished their set they burned the stage down and the festival was stopped. The managers Coletta and Edwards announced the creation of Purple music recs.
Also the band started working on their new album, while their single "Strange kind of woman" was #8 in the charts. Their next single was "Fireball"(October 1971) and it was #15. In May the band toured all over Australia and Iceland bringing the flame of rock all over the world. The "Fireball" album was out in September and it went to #3. Though it didn't remain there as much as "In Rock" it's one of the best Purple albums ever and if it was about to be given a grade out of ten it would be 1000000000... as was "In Rock". But the members were tired because they were working continuously. The members didn't enjoy the new album as much as "In Rock" and Richie let others know that he wasn't really satisfied with the album.
But when their next album was out all the members enjoyed it and Ian Gillan said it was the best album they ever made till then. The album was of course "Machine Head"(March 1972). Words cannot speak about the majesty of this album. What can anyone say about an album which contains tracks such as "Highway Star" and "Smoke on the water"?
The next year the soulders of the group became heavier because they made five tours in America and also they toured in England, Europe and Japan where they recorder their double-live album named "Made In Japan" which is an album that should be taught in music lessons. This album confirmed that Deep Purple were one of the best bands ever appeared on stage.
When Deep Purple went to Italy in order to record their new album things weren't so well. Ian Gillan started thinking of leaving the band because he was encouraged by his success as a singer on "Jesus Christ Super Star" LP where he performed Jesus. So, he said that he was disappointed with his performance on "Who do we think we are?" and finally left the band. He bought the De Lane Lea studio in Holborn and he made his own band "Gillan". In June it was announced that Roger Glover had officially left the band due to health problems and he would promote new groups from Purple records.