Album Description:
Deep Purple's album "In Rock" stands as a monumental work in the world of British rock music. Released in June 1970, this fourth studio album marked a significant turning point for the band, as it introduced their classic Mk II lineup. Not only did it revolutionize their sound, but it also solidified Deep Purple's status as one of the pioneers of hard rock. Among the various editions of this iconic album, the UK first pressing, often referred to as the "NO EMI A2/B1 1st pressing Gt Britain FOC 12" Vinyl LP Album", holds a special place for collectors and fans alike.
"In Rock" showcased Deep Purple's evolution from their earlier psychedelic and progressive rock influences towards a heavier, more intense sound. The album is renowned for its powerful guitar riffs, thunderous rhythm section, and virtuosic organ solos. The distinctive sound and energy of this record set the stage for the band's subsequent success and influence on the genre.
One notable feature of the UK first pressing of "In Rock" is the inclusion of a gatefold cover. This format allowed for an expanded canvas on which the band could present their artistic vision. The front cover depicts the band members in black and white, their intensity palpable, while the inside of the gatefold cover showcases a live photo of the band in action, capturing their electrifying stage presence.
Moreover, the left inner cover pages of the UK first pressing LP are adorned with the lyrics of all the songs performed on the album. This attention to detail adds value to the release, allowing fans to fully immerse themselves in the music and appreciate the lyrical depth of Deep Purple's songwriting. In an era before the internet and digital lyrics databases, having the lyrics printed on the album was a welcome feature, enabling listeners to engage with the music on a deeper level.
The album's opening track, "Speed King", immediately sets the tone with its frenetic pace and blistering guitar work. Ian Gillan's soaring vocals soar above the sonic onslaught, while Ritchie Blackmore's guitar solos leave a lasting impression. The album continues to captivate listeners with tracks like "Child in Time", a ten-minute epic that showcases Gillan's vocal range and the band's ability to build tension and release it in a cathartic explosion of sound.
"Into the Fire" and "Living Wreck" further highlight the band's ability to create powerful, riff-driven rock anthems. The rhythm section, consisting of bassist Roger Glover and drummer Ian Paice, forms a formidable foundation that propels the music forward with relentless energy. Jon Lord's masterful keyboard work adds an atmospheric and melodic touch to the album, elevating it beyond mere hard rock.
The UK first pressing of "In Rock" is a testament to the enduring legacy of Deep Purple. It encapsulates the band's transition into a new era and highlights their innovative sound, which would influence countless rock and metal bands in the years to come. This edition's meticulous attention to detail, from the gatefold cover to the printed lyrics, makes it a cherished artifact for collectors and fans, serving as a gateway to experience the raw power and musical brilliance that Deep Purple embodied during this period.
Band Members and Musicians on: Deep Purple In Rock Gt Britain
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Band-members, Musicians and Performers
- Ritchie Blackmore
- Ritchie Blackmore – Guitarist, Songwriter
The guy who made the guitar sound both medieval and radioactive, often in the same solo.
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Ritchie Blackmore is the sort of name I see on a sleeve and instantly expect sparks: born Richard Hugh Blackmore (1945), he’s an English guitarist who helped hard-rock riffing grow teeth and then politely refused to stop. His era-stamps are basically whole chapters of rock history: Deep Purple (1968–1975, 1984–1993), where the riffs got louder, sharper, and more dramatic; Rainbow (1975–1984, 1993–1997), where he leaned into melody and fantasy like it was a weapon; and Blackmore’s Night (1997–present), where the electric storm calms down into Renaissance-folk textures without losing that unmistakable Blackmore touch. I love that arc: from amp-stacks and arena thunder to lutes-and-candles vibes, like he just swapped dragons for different dragons.
"Blackmore Signature Strats"
I’ve spent too many nights chasing that Blackmore chime. Fender’s Artist Series Strat is a love letter to his ‘70s obsession—Olympic White with a graduated scalloped rosewood board that makes your fingers feel like they’re floating. The electronics are pure Ritchie logic: two Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounds for the bite and a dummy middle pickup. It’s a prop, a plastic decoy for us mortals. Then there’s the Fender Japan ST72-145RB. MIJ builds have a surgical precision, keeping the ‘72 vibe alive for the obsessive collector. We hunt these like lost relics, justifying the cost because a standard neck feels one-dimensional by comparison. It’s a specialized tool for a very specific kind of madness. But then, isn't that the whole point?
- Ian Gillan
- Ian Gillan – Vocals
Fun bit: the guy who hit those stratospheric notes also played Jesus (1970) before he went full purple thunder. Read more... Ian Gillan, the razor-throated storyteller who helped turn Deep Purple into a stadium engine (1969–1973), then came back for the 1984 reunion and later tours. Before the purple thunder I cut my teeth in Episode Six (1965–1969). In 1970 I also sang Jesus on the original "Jesus Christ Superstar" album—pure theatre, no cape. I went jazz-rock with the Ian Gillan Band (1975–1978), cranked it harder with Gillan (1978–1982), and even took a wild detour fronting Black Sabbath on "Born Again" (1983). Solo records and guest spots followed, but that operatic scream and sly phrasing always gave the game away, whether I was whispering a blues line or detonating a high note over a Marshall stack.
- Roger Glover
- Roger Glover – Bass, Producer, Songwriter
If the groove feels like a tank with manners, his name is usually somewhere nearby. Read more... Roger Glover is one of those credit lines I trust on sight: a Welsh bassist, producer, and songwriter who helped define the heavyweight “engine room” of classic hard rock. I mainly tag him to two eras that just refuse to die: Deep Purple (1969–1973, 1984–present), where his bass and writing instincts locked in with that Mark II bite, and Rainbow (1979–1984), where he wasn’t just playing low-end—he was also steering the sound as lyricist and producer. He came up through Episode Six, then spent the 1970s stacking production work and side projects like it was a second career (because, yeah, it basically was), but those Purple and Rainbow years are the real “mythology in the liner notes” stuff.
- Jon Lord
- Jon Lord – Keyboards
On my best days, that Hammond roar still sounds like cathedral pipes hijacked by a Marshall stack—and Jon Lord is the reason.
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Jon Lord, British keyboardist, composer, and co-founder of Deep Purple, never played “background” the way polite musicians do—he attacked the keys like they owed him money, then turned around and wrote with the discipline of a trained composer. The story starts in the R&B trenches with The Artwoods (1964–1967), then detonates when he helps launch Deep Purple (1968–1976; 1984–2002), where that distorted Hammond became a lead instrument with teeth. After Purple’s first collapse, the road briefly rerouted through Paice Ashton Lord (1976–1978), and then straight into David Coverdale’s orbit with Whitesnake (1978–1984), adding class, weight, and that unmistakable “burning organ” halo to bluesy hard rock. Underneath all the volume, the man kept one foot in the concert hall—because some people can shred and still hear the orchestra in their heads.
- Ian Paice
Ian Paice is a legendary British drummer best known as the only constant member of Deep Purple, contributing to every lineup and album since 1968. His dynamic, powerful drumming shaped classics like Smoke on the Water and Highway Star. Beyond Deep Purple, he played with Whitesnake and Jon Lord. His influence on rock drumming is undeniable. Read his biography
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