Machine Head is the sixth studio album by English rock band Deep Purple. It was recorded in December 1971 in Montreux, Switzerland, and released on 30 March 1972 by Purple Records. It is the band's third album to feature the Mark II line-up of Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Jon Lord and Ian Paice.
25th anniversary CD slipcase
Image: Machine Head album cover
Claude Nobs managed the recording trip, and is referred to as "Funky Claude" in "Smoke on the Water".
Ian Gillan, touring the US in January 1972 in support of Machine Head
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in London in 1968. They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical style has varied throughout their career. Originally formed as a psychedelic rock and progressive rock band, they shifted to a heavier sound with their 1970 album Deep Purple in Rock. Deep Purple, together with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, have been referred to as the "unholy trinity of British hard rock and heavy metal in the early to mid-seventies". They were listed in the 1975 Guinness Book of World Records as "the globe's loudest band" for a 1972 concert at London's Rainbow Theatre and have sold over 100 million albums worldwide.
Deep Purple Mark II in 1971. Left to right: Jon Lord, Roger Glover, Ian Gillan, Ritchie Blackmore and Ian Paice.
Deep Purple Mark I in 1968. Standing left to right: Nick Simper, Ian Paice, Rod Evans; seated left to right: Ritchie Blackmore, Jon Lord.
Ian Gillan in 1970
Roger Glover in 1971