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Featured Timeline : Deep Purple

March 10, 1984 Deep Purple reunite with the Mark II lineup of the band, which includes guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and lead singer Ian Gillan. The band has been dormant since 1976, and this lineup last played together in 1973. They take a break in 1989 and Blackmore leaves in 1993, but the core of the group stays intact into the 2020s.

December 4, 1971 During a Frank Zappa concert, the Montreux Casino in Switzerland catches fire when someone fires a flare gun, inspiring Deep Purple's "Smoke On The Water." Deep Purple are there to record their album Machine Head the following day, but end up using the Grand Hotel and including the song as a last-minute addition.More

November 16, 1963 Nino Tempo and April Stevens' "Deep Purple" hits #1 in the US. The famous band later name themselves after the song.

March 15, 1976 Deep Purple, fronted by David Coverdale, wrap up their UK tour with a show at the Empire Theatre in Liverpool, then break up. When they return in 1984, it's with the "Mark II" lineup of the band, which includes lead singer Ian Gillan and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore.

April 7, 1975 After a show in Paris, Ritchie Blackmore leaves Deep Purple to form Rainbow. He is eventually replaced by Tommy Bolin.

April 6, 1974 The Eagles, Earth, Wind & Fire, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Emerson, Lake and Palmer play to a crowd of 200,000 at the California Jam in Ontario, California.

June 29, 1973 Deep Purple "Mark II," the most famous incarnation of the band, comes to an end after a show in Osaka, Japan, with lead singer Ian Gillan abruptly quitting the group. Bassist Roger Glover leaves soon after; for "Mark III," they're replaced by David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes.

April 20, 1968 Deep Purple make their stage debut at the Vestpoppen, in Kastrup, Denmark.

July 28, 1954 Guitarist Steve Morse is born in Hamilton, Ohio. After forming The Dixie Dregs, he joins Deep Purple in 1994.

August 21, 1952 Rock bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes (of Deep Purple) is born in Cannock, Staffordshire, England. He has a brief stint as Black Sabbath's frontman in the mid-'80s.