The Complete Deep Purple (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

An in-depth look at one of the most successful heavy metal bands of all time.

From the Publisher

From their progressive roots in The Book of Taliesyn, to the classic albums In Rock, Fireball, Machine Head, and Made in Japan, Deep Purple epitomized the sound of hard rock for an entire generation. Revered by their fans, reviled by followers of rival musical styles, only now is it really possible to look back and take stock of their achievements. Rock historian Michael Heatley looks in detail at every album of the group's original incarnation, from Shades of Deep Purple to Come Taste the Band and Made in Europe. Heatley also details the recording sessions and tours, the comings and goings of band personnel, the feuds, and the final break-up. The career of each band member after the split is also covered, as well as the group's wilderness years, the Knebworth reunion, and the rebirth and new recordings.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Reynolds & Hearn (June 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1903111994
• ISBN-13: 978-1903111994
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,200,373 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book on English rock legends..., September 7, 2005

By	ixion75 - See all my reviews

Picked up this shrinkwrapped paperback recently out of pure curiosity. Purple was one of the many classic rock bands I listened to in my youth, along with Zep, Floyd and Sabbath. Purple always seemed to me to be the "other" legendary rock / metal band (something the book touches on briefly) and I realized that while I knew the stories behind the other guys (Iommi's metal shop accident, Barrett's onstage antics with hair gel, any one of Zep's hotel trashings or groupie stories), I could not say the same about Purple. Exactly who were these guys that I listened to so often on the bus in the morning on the way to high school?

Michael Heatley's book is neither a gloss-over nor overlong, treating the subject of Purple's history with detail, candor and absolute respect. His immersion in the times and places is just enough to give you the amazing feeling that you are there with Purple Mk. II the summer they begin to take their first formative steps, rehearsing for what would become the tremendous _In Rock_ album. Heatley is skilled in weaving a good story, fleshing out the clashes and feedback that occurred offstage as well as on. Blackmore, throwing bags of flour at English passersby as a youth, yet shy and reserved, picking at his guitar like a madman. Gillan, his voice soaring above the violet din, rock god incarnate.

The book covers all Purple lineups to date, beginning with the formation of Mark I in the late 60s with _Shades of Deep Purple_ and leading all the way up to 2003's _Bananas_. Along the way you will meet the people who believed and invested in Purple and also get a thorough rundown on the side projects and other bands that Purple members were a part of like Rainbow, Whitesnake and Black Sabbath. Most interesting of all is the book-ending appendix summarizing each Purple studio album track-by-track.

I really enjoyed this book, learned new things about Purple (they did a children's record? Who'd have thought?) and highly recommend to the casual fan as well as the die-hard.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for the Casual Fan (who still has all the music), April 12, 2006

By	oldtaku (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

I wasn't sure if I should buy this book - I love the band but am not one of those people who really follows the coming and going of members or what's going on. I just buy new CDs when they come out.

I bought the book anyhow (since the Deep Purple/Rainbow/Black Sabbath family have given me more musical pleasure than anyone else), and I'm glad I did. The style is a bit whirlwind, with names and locations and dates dropped everywhere, but given how large the book is as it is I can see why this was done.

But it was amazing the number of times I was reading the book and went 'AHA! So that's why...' As just one example of dozens, I had no idea why it took Purple so long to do a CD after Abandon, and it's casually explained here.

There are lots of little anecdotes, and the section at the end with band member comments on every song of every studio almbum is enlightening as well, if a bit rushed.

So for the cost of one CD you'll get a much deeper understanding of the music you love. I think that's worth it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars almost the definitive bio of Purple........., March 14, 2007

By	william rickard - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

First I must say as a long time fan of Purple I eagerly await any new books on one of the finest yet most overlooked hard rock band in history. That said let me follow by saying this is one of the better books written about Deep Purple though I must say there is still no comparison to the long out of print "Illustrated Biography" by Chris Charlesworth. For the casual fan or someone who has recently discovered Purple it provides an excellent introduction to one of the most exciting bands to ever hit the stage. Michael Heatley provides a basic history of the band though its very difficult to cover 35 years of history in only 240 plus pages. A little too general in places and I for one would like to know more about the Blackmore/Coverdale rift. Perhaps the best feature was the song by song break down of each album, with different members providing their own views of each title.
With having said that, "The Complete Deep Purple" is an excellent begining to anyone getting to know the band though if you can find a copy of Charlesworth's "Illustrated Biography" do it.