Deep Purple

Hard Rock band from England, United Kingdom. The band formed in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre. They were once listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as "the loudest pop group", and have sold over 100 million albums worldwide. Deep Purple were ranked #22 on VH1's Greatest Artists of Hard Rock programme. There has been a Deep Purple band in existence since the late 60s, apart from the eight years between 1976 when Mark IV split up and 1984 when Mark II reformed. Deep Purple were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016. They went through different line-ups through their history: Mark I (1968-69): Vocals: Rod Evans, Guitar: Ritchie Blackmore, Bass: Nick Simper, Keyboards: Jon Lord. Drums: Ian Paice. Mark II (1969-73, 1984-89, 1992-93): Vocals: Ian Gillan, Guitar: Ritchie Blackmore, Bass: Roger Glover, Keyboards: Jon Lord. Drums: Ian Paice. Mark III (1973-75): Vocals: David Coverdale, Guitar: Ritchie Blackmore, Bass and vocals: Glenn Hughes, Keyboards: Jon Lord. Drums: Ian Paice. Mark IV (1975-76): Vocals: David Coverdale, Guitar: Tommy Bolin, Bass and vocals: Glenn Hughes, Keyboards: Jon Lord. Drums: Ian Paice. Mark V (1989-92): Vocals: Joe Lynn Turner, Guitar: Ritchie Blackmore, Bass: Roger Glover, Keyboards: Jon Lord. Drums: Ian Paice. Mark VI (1993-94): Vocals: Ian Gillan, Guitar: Joe Satriani, Bass: Roger Glover, Keyboards: Jon Lord. Drums: Ian Paice. Mark VII (1994-2002): Vocals: Ian Gillan, Guitar: Steve Morse, Bass: Roger Glover, Keyboards: Jon Lord. Drums: Ian Paice. Mark VIII (2002-2022): Vocals: Ian Gillan, Guitar: Steve Morse, Bass: Roger Glover, Keyboards: Don Airey. Drums: Ian Paice. Mark IX (2022-current): Vocals: Ian Gillan, Guitar: Simon McBride, Bass: Roger Glover, Keyboards: Don Airey. Drums: Ian Paice.