Deep Purple: A Hard Rock Legacy Misrepresented as Heavy Metal
Deep Purple, a pioneering hard rock band, is often associated with the heavy metal genre due to their pioneering role in shaping early rock music. However, the band members themselves reject this categorization, emphasizing their identity as hard rock musicians.
Early Beginnings and Hard Rock
Deep Purple started their musical journey long before the term "heavy metal" was coined. Originating in the hard rock genre, the band's music laid foundational groundwork for what would later be defined as heavy metal. Despite their significant influence, Deep Purple has always maintained their identity as a hard rock band rather than a heavy metal band.
It is important to note that early heavy metal as a distinct genre emerged with the advent of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) in the late 1970s. Bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Saxon were crucial in defining and popularizing the heavy metal genre. Deep Purple, while contributing to this evolution, were more aligned with a progressive hard rock style.
Refutations and Clarifications
The late founding keyboard player Jon Lord once stated that they accepted the "hard rock" label because they felt they were playing rock music in a very hard and aggressive manner, not in a difficult way. Jon emphasized that the term "heavy metal" was a "label in bad taste" with which the band couldn't associate.
Ian Gillan, the lead singer, echoed this sentiment, describing the term as "graceless" and "ugly." He has consistently maintained that "heavy metal" is a term that they do not particularly like. Similarly, Ritchie Blackmore, the founding guitarist, has generally accepted the label but hasn't formally protested against it. However, he has mentioned that anything that gains attention for the band is beneficial, even when it might be negative.
Interview Insights
In a video interview, Ritchie Blackmore cited Jeff Beck with the Yardbirds as a precursor to heavy metal, noting that Jeff Beck's "heavy" guitar playing helped pave the way for bands like Deep Purple to explore harder rock sounds. However, the clip did not explicitly address whether Deep Purple considered themselves a part of the early heavy metal scene.
Bands like Deep Purple deserve recognition for their significant contributions to the hard rock genre, but it is crucial to acknowledge their distinct identity and the accurate historical context in which they operate. Mislabeling them as heavy metal can obscure the true nature of their music and legacy.
Deep Purple, a hard rock band, have firmly rejected the heavy metal label, emphasizing their unique musical style. Their contributions to the evolution of hard rock are undeniable, and understanding their history helps appreciate the true significance of their music.