Deep Purple is an English hard rock band formed in Hertford in 1968 and widely recognized as a pioneer of heavy metal and modern hard rock. The band built its legacy through landmark albums including Deep Purple in Rock, Machine Head, Made in Japan, and Perfect Strangers, along with enduring songs such as “Smoke on the Water,” “Highway Star,” “Child in Time,” and “Woman from Tokyo.” Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2016, Deep Purple remains an active recording and touring act, with Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Don Airey, and Simon McBride forming the current lineup and SPLAT! released in 2026.
