Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in England in 1968, and one of the founding bands of heavy metal and modern hard rock. Across more than five decades, they have sold over 100 million records and given rock some of its most recognisable riffs, above all "Smoke on the Water".
The band are still touring in 2026, with a new album and a surprise guest appearance by former guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. This biography looks at Deep Purple's age, members, career, hit songs and key facts, from the classic Mark II line-up to the current Mark IX line-up.
Image: Ian Gillan of Deep Purple live at Notodden Blues Festival, Norway, 2024 (Knipselyst / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0).
Deep Purple Members
The current line-up, known as Mark IX, is Ian Gillan on lead vocals, Roger Glover on bass, Ian Paice on drums, Don Airey on keyboards and Simon McBride on guitar. Airey joined in 2002 and McBride joined in 2022. Paice is the only member to have played in every era of the band.
The classic Mark II line-up was Ian Gillan, Ritchie Blackmore, Roger Glover, Jon Lord and Ian Paice. Other notable past members include David Coverdale, Glenn Hughes, Tommy Bolin, Joe Lynn Turner and Steve Morse, who played guitar from 1994 to 2022. Jon Lord, the band's founding keyboardist, died in 2012.
Career and Breakthrough
Deep Purple formed in 1968 and first found success with a lighter, psychedelic sound. Their style shifted to a heavier sound with "Deep Purple in Rock" in 1970, a change that helped shape heavy metal and modern hard rock.
The breakthrough continued with "Machine Head" in 1972. Its best-known song, "Smoke on the Water", was inspired by the fire at the Montreux Casino in December 1971, which broke out during a Frank Zappa concert while the band were recording there. The song reached the US Top 5 and became one of the most famous riffs in rock.
After splitting in 1976, Deep Purple reunited in 1984 and returned to recording and touring. In 2016 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The inducted members were Ritchie Blackmore, David Coverdale, Rod Evans, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Glenn Hughes, Jon Lord and Ian Paice, and the band were presented by Metallica's Lars Ulrich.
Recent Years
Simon McBride joined on guitar in 2022, and the band's first studio album with him, "=1", was released in July 2024 as their 23rd studio album. They followed it with "SPLAT!" on July 3, 2026, their 24th studio album and their second with McBride.
On August 12, 2026, Ritchie Blackmore made a one-off return at the Northwell at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York, joining the Mark IX line-up onstage for the "Smoke on the Water" encore. It was his first performance with the band since 1993.
In October 2026, frontman Ian Gillan was hospitalized and the band postponed shows in Leipzig and Hamburg. Read our report: Ian Gillan hospitalized — Deep Purple postpone Leipzig and Hamburg shows.
Popular Songs
Deep Purple's signature songs include "Smoke on the Water", "Highway Star", "Child in Time", "Black Night", "Hush", "Burn", "Perfect Strangers", "Woman from Tokyo" and "Soldier of Fortune".
For more classic rock profiles, read our Queen biography, Pink Floyd biography and Rush biography.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Deep Purple formed?
Deep Purple were formed in England in 1968, and they went on to become pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock.
Who are the current members of Deep Purple?
The current Mark IX line-up is Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Don Airey and Simon McBride.
What is Deep Purple's most famous song?
Their most famous song is "Smoke on the Water", from the 1972 album "Machine Head".
Are Deep Purple in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Yes, Deep Purple were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.
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