Título: Deep Purple
Seção: Beginnings (1967-1968)
Background: Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. The band is considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical approach changed over the years. Originally formed as a progressive rock band, the band shifted to a heavier sound in 1970. Deep Purple, together with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, have been referred to as the "unholy trinity of British hard rock and heavy metal in the early to mid-seventies".

Conteúdo: In 1967, former Searchers drummer Chris Curtis contacted London businessman Tony Edwards, in the hope that he would manage a new group he was putting together, to be called Roundabout. Curtis' vision was a "supergroup" where the band members would get on and off, like a musical roundabout. Impressed with the plan, Edwards agreed to finance the venture with his two business partners John Coletta and Ron Hire, who comprised Hire-Edwards-Coletta Enterprises (HEC).  The first recruit to the band was the classically trained Hammond organ player Jon Lord, Curtis' flatmate who had most notably played with the Artwoods (led by Art Wood, brother of future Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, and including Keef Hartley). Lord was then performing in a backing band for the vocal group The Flower Pot Men (formerly known as the Ivy League), along with bassist Nick Simper and drummer Carlo Little. Simper had previously been in Johnny Kidd and the Pirates and survived the 1966 car crash that killed Kidd. Lord put the two on alert that he'd been recruited for the Roundabout project, after which Simper and Little suggested guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, whom Lord had never met. Simper had known Blackmore since the early 1960s when his first band, the Renegades, debuted around the same time as one of Blackmore's early bands, the Dominators.  HEC persuaded Blackmore to return from Hamburg to audition for the new group. Blackmore was making a name for himself as a studio session guitarist, and had

user: When did the group form?

assistant: In 1967,

user: How did they form?

assistant: former Searchers drummer Chris Curtis contacted London businessman Tony Edwards, in the hope that he would manage a new group he was putting together,

user: What did Edwards then say?

assistant: Edwards agreed to finance the venture with his two business partners John Coletta and Ron Hire, who comprised Hire-Edwards-Coletta Enterprises (HEC).

user: Who were the members of the band?

assistant: The first recruit to the band was the classically trained Hammond organ player Jon Lord, Curtis' flatmate

user: Were there any other members of the group?

assistant: ), along with bassist Nick Simper and drummer Carlo Little.

user: What happened next with the group?

assistant: HEC persuaded Blackmore to return from Hamburg to audition for the new group.

user: What did Blackmore play?

assistant: Little suggested guitarist Ritchie Blackmore,

user: Did Blackmore stay with the band?

assistant: But HEC was now intrigued with the possibilities Lord and Blackmore brought, while Lord and Blackmore were also keen to continue.

user: What did the group do next?

assistant: In March 1968, Lord, Blackmore, Simper and Woodman moved into Deeves Hall, a country house in South Mimms, Hertfordshire. The band would live, write and rehearse at Deeves Hall,

user: Did the group stick together and perform?

assistant: dozens" of singers were auditioned (including Rod Stewart and Woodman's friend Dave Curtiss)until the group heard Rod Evans of the club band The Maze,

user: Who did they pick for a new singer?

assistant: Rod Evans of the club band The Maze,