How a desperate search for a new lead singer birthed a rock masterpiece
In short: After losing their lead singer and bassist in 1973, Deep Purple faced an existential crisis. They turned to an unknown 21-year-old from an audition tape, resulting in the 1974 album Burn. This record redefined the band's sound, blending hard rock with funk and soul during a period of intense internal pressure.
By mid-1973, Deep Purple was arguably the world's best-selling group, yet internal friction led to the departure of vocalist Ian Gillan and bassist Roger Glover. The band, featuring Ritchie Blackmore, Jon Lord, and Ian Paice, entered a period of instability. They eventually recruited Glenn Hughes from Trapeze to handle bass and vocals, while David Coverdale—a young singer who had previously opened for the band—was selected after submitting a demo tape that he later described as his worst performance.
Recording for Burn took place in November 1973 at the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio in Montreux, Switzerland. The sessions were marked by a newfound sense of collaboration, though the band faced significant challenges. Coverdale, inexperienced in the studio, was subjected to rigorous management demands regarding his appearance, including weight-loss medication and a change in his grooming. Despite these pressures, the band produced a record that reached the top three in British charts and the top ten in the United States.
The album showcased a shift toward funk and soul influences, particularly in tracks like 'Sail Away' and 'Might Just Take Your Life.' Blackmore, seeking to move away from rock clichés, pushed for lyrics focused on mythology and science fiction. The recording process was not without conflict; disagreements over vocal layering and songwriting credits persisted. Notably, the instrumental track 'A 200' was named after a lice shampoo, reflecting the band's idiosyncratic creative environment. Burn remains a pivotal moment in the group's history, marking the transition into the Mark III era before further tensions led to Blackmore's exit in 1975.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Burn (Deep Purple album)
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