Deep Purple

Smoke on the water, fire in the sky, and nearly 60 years of hard rock history. Deep Purple helped invent heavy rock, and they’re still releasing albums and selling out arenas. On Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio, that riff never gets old.

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Deep Purple turns up loud on the Power Rock n’ Roll Radio Show (9 am–6 pm ET).

What’s new with Deep Purple

• A new album. Splat!, their 24th studio album, produced by Bob Ezrin, came out July 3, 2026.
• Blackmore returns. Ritchie Blackmore joined the band for “Smoke on the Water” at Jones Beach on August 12, 2026, his first time on stage with them in 33 years.
• On tour now. Europe and the U.K. through November, including the Royal Albert Hall on November 25, then Latin America in December.

Station picks: the Deep Purple songs to start with

Our five essentials:

1. Smoke on the Water (1972). Four notes every guitarist learns first.
2. Highway Star (1972). Speed, organ solos and pure adrenaline.
3. Hush (1968). The groovy first hit, with Jon Lord’s organ front and center.
4. Space Truckin’ (1972). A cosmic riff built for jamming live.
5. Perfect Strangers (1984). The reunion anthem with a brooding, epic riff.

Three deep cuts worth your time:

1. Child in Time (1970). Ten minutes of Ian Gillan’s most spine-tingling screams.
2. Lazy (1972). Blues-rock with a swinging organ intro.
3. Burn (1974). David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes era, at full blast.

If you like Deep Purple, try

• Led Zeppelin: the other founding fathers of heavy rock
• Metallica: heavy music they helped inspire
• Rush: virtuoso rock with ambition
• Scorpions: European hard rock legends

Deep Purple on tour

Last verified October 12, 2026. Always confirm with the official site before buying tickets.

Selected dates shown. The Latin American leg runs December 5 to 19, 2026, through São Paulo, Santiago, Buenos Aires, Monterrey, Guadalajara and Mexico City. Full list: deeppurple.com.

Deep Purple quick facts

• Formed: 1968, Hertford, England
• Lineup: Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Don Airey and Simon McBride
• Signature albums: In Rock (1970), Fireball (1971), Machine Head (1972), Burn (1974), Perfect Strangers (1984)
• Latest album: Splat! (2026)
• Honors: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, 2016
• Official site: deeppurple.com

Deep Purple FAQ

Is Ian Gillan retiring?
No. Gillan has said he’ll retire when he no longer has the strength, but he denied saying retirement was near and is on tour now.

Did Ritchie Blackmore rejoin Deep Purple?
Not as a member. He joined them for one song at Jones Beach in August 2026, his first time on stage with the band in 33 years.

Where can I hear Deep Purple?
On Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio, free and live 24/7 on the web and in our iPhone and Android apps. Want a favorite? Request it here.

Sources: deeppurple.com tour, Louder (Splat!), Louder (Blackmore), Blabbermouth. Last verified October 12, 2026.