- Rod Evans: The Forgotten Voice of Deep Purple's Early Days
Rod Evans, the original voice of Deep Purple, left an indelible mark on the band's formative years. With his powerful vocals and charismatic stage presence, he led the band through their first three albums, including the breakthrough hit "Hush." Despite his relatively short tenure, Evans' contribution to Deep Purple's early sound and success remains an essential part of their legacy. His career post-Deep Purple included forming Captain Beyond and a controversial reunion attempt with a reformed Deep Purple. Today, Evans lives a life away from the spotlight, leaving behind a musical legacy that continues to resonate with fans worldwide.
ROD EVANS: The Forgotten Voice of Deep Purple's Early Years
Rod Evans, born Roderic Evans on January 19, 1947, in Slough, England, is best known as the original vocalist of the legendary rock band Deep Purple. Evans' tenure with the band, though relatively short-lived, marked the beginning of their musical journey and laid the foundation for their future success.
Early Years and Musical Beginnings
Prior to joining Deep Purple, Evans gained experience performing with various local bands, including The Horizons and The Maze. His charismatic stage presence and powerful vocals quickly caught the attention of aspiring musicians, leading to his recruitment as the frontman of Deep Purple in 1968.
Deep Purple's Mark I Era (1968-1969)
As the lead vocalist of Deep Purple's Mark I lineup, Evans contributed to the band's first three studio albums:
Shades of Deep Purple (1968)
, The Book of Taliesyn (1968), and
Deep Purple (1969)
. These albums showcased the band's eclectic musical style, blending elements of hard rock, psychedelic rock, and progressive rock.
Evans' distinctive voice can be heard on several notable tracks from this era, including their breakthrough hit "Hush," a cover of Joe South's song, which reached No. 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1968. Other notable songs featuring Evans' vocals include "Kentucky Woman," "Wring That Neck," and "Lalena."
Despite their initial success, Deep Purple's Mark I lineup faced creative differences and commercial pressures, leading to Evans' departure from the band in 1969. He was replaced by Ian Gillan, who would go on to become one of Deep Purple's most iconic vocalists.
Post-Deep Purple Career and The "New Deep Purple" Controversy
Following his exit from Deep Purple, Evans briefly pursued a solo career, releasing the single "Hard to Be Without You" in 1971. Later that year, he co-founded the band Captain Beyond, with whom he recorded two albums: Captain Beyond (1972) and Sufficiently Breathless (1973).
In 1980, Evans became embroiled in a controversial incident when he agreed to perform with a reformed version of Deep Purple, which did not include any of the band's original members. This "New Deep Purple" project was short-lived and met with legal action from the original band members. The incident tarnished Evans' reputation and ultimately led to his retirement from the music industry.
Legacy and Retirement
Rod Evans' contribution to Deep Purple's early years cannot be understated. His powerful vocals and charismatic stage presence helped establish the band's identity and paved the way for their future success. While his time with Deep Purple was relatively brief, Evans' voice remains an integral part of the band's early legacy.
Following the "New Deep Purple" controversy, Evans disappeared from the public eye and has maintained a low profile ever since. He has not given any interviews or made any public appearances related to his music career. His whereabouts and current activities remain unknown, adding an air of mystery to his legacy.
Conclusion
Rod Evans, the original voice of Deep Purple, played a crucial role in the band's formative years. His distinctive vocals and stage presence contributed to their early success and laid the groundwork for their future as one of the most influential rock bands of all time. Though his career was marked by controversy and an early retirement, Evans' legacy as Deep Purple's first vocalist remains an important chapter in the band's rich history.
Released on Deep Purple's own record label, '24 Carat' marked Deep Purple's debut compilation album, representing a pivotal period in their hard rock journey. This 12" LP encapsulates the band's evolution, featuring iconic tracks that defined their sound.
Deep Purple's 'Anthology' is a musical treasure trove spanning 150 minutes, carefully curated across three LPs. This vinyl masterpiece not only delivers the band's iconic sound but also includes the original 4-page 12" booklet, offering fans a nostalgic journey through the band's history.
Deep Purple's 'Burn' marked a pivotal transition with new members David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes, forming the 'Mark III' lineup. This Italian release of the album is distinguishable by the S.I.A.E 'Rights Society' imprint at 9 o'clock on the record label.
DEEP PURPLE - Come Taste the Band (European Releases)
Deep Purple's "Come Taste the Band" is a pivotal album in their discography, marking a shift with Tommy Bolin on guitar. The 1975 European LP releases captured this new era, featuring iconic tracks like "Gettin' Tighter" and "Comin' Home".
DEEP PURPLE - Deepest Purple (Gt Britain & French Release)
"Deepest Purple: The Very Best of Deep Purple" is the compilation album by the British hard rock band Deep Purple, released in 1980. It features the original hits of Deep Purple before their 1984 reunion.
DEEP PURPLE - Self-titled aka DEEP PURPLE III (European Releses)
Deep Purple's 'Deep Purple III' (1976, Netherlands) marks a pivotal moment in the band's history. Originally released in 1969 on Harvest Records in the UK, it stands as the third studio album and the final one with the original lineup.
Deep Purple's 'Fireball' album, in its original European release, boasts a unique addition - 'Demon's Eye' replacing 'Strange Kind of Woman.' This gatefold 12" vinyl LP provides an authentic experience
DEEP PURPLE - The House Of Blue Light (German & Hungarian Releases
Deep Purple's 'The House of Blue Light' in its German 12" vinyl LP release represents a significant chapter in the band's history. This album captures the reunion of the re-formed Mark II lineup and showcases meticulous production and sound engineering, resulting in an auditory masterpiece.
DEEP PURPLE In Concert Unreleased BBC-Tapes (Holland)
Harvest 1A 138-64158 , 1980 , Holland
Deep Purple's 'In Concert Unreleased BBC Tapes,' in a gatefold cover 12" vinyl LP album, offers a captivating glimpse into the band's live prowess. Recorded in 1970 and 1972 for the BBC's 'In Concert' series, these unreleased performances are a treasure trove for fans.
Deep Purple's "In Rock" (1970), a landmark in hard rock, shook the European music scene with its raw energy. Original European LP pressings are sought after by collectors for their powerful sound and iconic gatefold cover. Tracks like "Speed King" and "Child in Time" showcase the Mark II lineup's prowess
Deep Purple - Last Concert in Japan (German Release)
Purple Records 1C 064-60 900 , 1977 , Germany
This album by DEEP PURPLE released in March 1977. It records the last Japanese concert of the Mark IV-lineup with Tommy Bolin. This album was recorded on December 15, 1975 at the Tokyo Budokan,
"Machine Head" is the sixth studio album released by English rock band "Deep Purple". It was recorded through December 1971 in Montreux, Switzerland, and released in March 1972. "Machine Head" is often cited as influential in the development of the heavy metal music genre.
The USA release of "Deep Purple - Made in Europe" on a 12" vinyl LP album is a live recording capturing the band's performances in Austria, Germany, and France during April 1975. Engineered by Mick McKenna, Tapani, and Martin Birch, and mixed by Ian Paice and Martin Birch,
DEEP PURPLE - Made in Japan (International Releases)
"Deep Purple - Made in Japan Live 2LP" is a monumental double live album by the English rock band. Recorded during their inaugural tour of Japan in August 1972, this album captures the raw energy and musical brilliance of Deep Purple's live performances. Originally released in December 1972
"Deep Purple - Mark I and II" is a 2LP gatefold 12" vinyl album that offers a comprehensive journey through the band's evolution. The gatefold cover features captivating artwork and photos within its pages. Liner notes by Jens Larsen provide insights in both English and German
DEEP PURPLE - The Mark 2 Purple Singles (Netherlands) 12" Vinyl LP
Purple Records – 1A 062-61695, Purple Records – 5C 062-61695 , 1979 , Holland
The Mark 2 Purple Singles" record is a compilation album of tracks previously released as 7" singles of the "Mark II" period of the British Rock band "Deep Purple". Their Mark 2 period was from July 1969 until June 1973.
"Nobody's Perfect" is a live double LP album by the British rock band Deep Purple, released in 1988. This album captures the band's electrifying live performances and showcases their enduring musical prowess. Featuring classic tracks, it stands as a testament to Deep Purple's status as rock legends
"Perfect Strangers" is the eleventh studio album by DEEP PURPLE, released in November 1984. It represents the first album recorded by the reformed (and most successful and popular) 'Mark II' line-up.
"Powerhouse" (1977, Germany) is a compilation album by Deep Purple, featuring a collection of previously unreleased live and studio tracks from the band's prime era. This album offers a nostalgic journey back to the halcyon days of Deep Purple, capturing their electrifying performances and musical prowess.
"Rock Story" from Belgium is not a Deep Purple album; rather, it's a compilation album featuring various bands and tracks from the rock genre. While it doesn't exclusively feature Deep Purple, it offers a diverse selection of rock music from different artists.
The International releases of "Deep Purple - Live at the Royal Albert Hall" offers fans a spectacular musical experience. This album captures the band's live concert at the Royal Albert Hall, featuring the groundbreaking "Concerto for Group and Orchestra" composed by Jon Lord.
"Shades of Deep Purple" (1977, Netherlands) marks the debut full-length album from the British rock band Deep Purple. It encapsulates the prevailing psychedelic and progressive rock sound of late 1960s Britain. This album serves as a historical snapshot, showcasing the band's early musical exploratio
"Deep Purple - Singles A's & B's" on 12" vinyl LP is a compilation album that offers a treasure trove of rare A-sides and B-sides from Deep Purple's singles. This collection provides a unique opportunity for fans and collectors to explore the band's lesser-known tracks and discover hidden gems.
"Slaves and Masters" (1990, Germany) is a significant album in Deep Purple's discography. Released in 1990, it represents a unique chapter as the only album featuring singer Joe Lynn Turner, who replaced Ian Gillan in the previous year. This transitional period in the band's history brought a different vocal style
"Stormbringer" is the ninth studio album by DEEP PURPLE, released in December 1974. On this album, the soul and funk elements that were only hinted are much more prominent. Many fans consider Stormbringer to be a major turning point in the band, and the mark of an era's end.
DEEP PURPLE - Who Do We Think We Are (Gt Britain & French Release)
Who Do We Think We Are! is a hard rock album by DEEP PURPLE. Recorded in Rome July 72 and Frankfurt Oct 72 on Rolling Stones Mobile. It was their seventh studio album, and the last one with the classic Mk II lineup of the group until 1984.
Another influential British rock band, featuring Eric Clapton on guitar. Cream explored a wider range of styles than Led Zeppelin, but their blues-rock foundation and improvisational jams share some similarities.
Cream
Jimi Hendrix
A legendary guitarist known for his innovative playing style and use of effects pedals. While not strictly a band, Hendrix's influence on rock guitar is undeniable, and his music shares some elements of blues and psychedelia with Led Zeppelin.
Jimi Hendrix
Led Zeppelin
Pioneered hard rock and heavy metal, with influences from blues and psychedelia. Known for their powerful vocals, driving riffs, and complex instrumentals
Led Zeppelin
The Who
Pioneered power pop and mod rock, known for their energetic live performances and Pete Townshend's distinctive guitar work. The Who's music is often heavier and more aggressive than Led Zeppelin's, but both bands share a love for extended jams and powerful vocals.
The Who
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