The dramatic tale of Deep Purple’s sixth album has rightly been etched into rock music folklore for more than half a century. Frankly, if you haven’t heard it, then you’re probably reading the wrong website, but here’s the gist of what happened.
Fancying the idea of working in an unusual environment and also avoiding punitive UK tax laws, the band’s celebrated Mk II line-up – vocalist Ian Gillan, guitarist Richie Blackmore, keyboard player Jon Lord, bassist Roger Glover and drummer Ian Paice – booked the Montreux Casino, overlooking Lake Geneva, a picturesque yet somewhat unlikely location, with producer-engineer Martin Birch and the Rolling Stones Mobile hired to capture the sounds.
