Deep Purple - Smoke On The Water - 1972 - HD -

Deep Purple - Smoke On The Water - Live - HD - Is one of the most iconic songs in rock history and probably the most recognizable riff ever recorded. Here are the essentials and some key facts 👇 🎸 Basic Facts - Artist: Deep Purple, Album: Machine Head, Year: 1972. Genre: Hard rock, Classic Lineup (Mark II): Ian Gillan – vocals Ritchie Blackmore – guitar Jon Lord – Hammond organ Roger Glover – bass Ian Paice – drums 🔥 The True Story Behind the Song - The lyrics tell a true story that took place on December 4, 1971, in Montreux, Switzerland: Deep Purple was in the city to record Machine Head using the Rolling Stones' mobile studio. During a Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention concert at the Montreux Casino, someone in the audience fired a flare gun. The casino burned to the ground. The smoke drifted over Lake Geneva, hence the phrase: “Smoke on the water, fire in the sky.” 👉 The song is practically a journalistic account in rock form. 🎼 The legendary riff - Composed by Ritchie Blackmore. Loosely inspired by classical music (Beethoven is often mentioned). It's one of the first riffs guitarists learn, although Blackmore always insisted it should be played with swing, not rigidly. It has been voted the best guitar riff of all time multiple times. 🎹 Sound and production - Jon Lord's Hammond organ, distorted and doubling the guitar, gives it a unique weight. Raw but powerful production, perfect for 70s hard rock. Finally recorded at the Grand Hotel in Montreux, after the fire. 📈 Impact and Legacy - It wasn't the album's biggest immediate hit, but over time it became Deep Purple's definitive song, It directly influenced: Black Sabbath Led Zeppelin Van Halen All subsequent hard rock and heavy metal It's a staple in: Historical rankings, Movies, TV series and video games, Concerts and jam sessions worldwide. 🎤 Final Trivia - Ian Gillan wrote the lyrics after the riff, which is unusual, because the riff was already so powerful that it demanded a story to match. 🎸 Thank you for joining us and keeping the legacy of classic rock & roll alive! If you enjoy 60s rock, subscribe to the channel to discover more full albums, historic concerts, and rarities from the era. https://www.youtube.com/@UC-klFFX1nDnMYL8NYMUuaiQ

Added 24 Aug 2026