ROCK MOMENT – Deep Purple ‘Smoke On The Water’
In December 1971, Deep Purple traveled to Montreux, Switzerland, to record their next album, Machine Head. The plan was to use the Rolling Stones’ mobile recording unit parked outside the Montreux Casino, a lakeside venue known for hosting the Montreux Jazz Festival. The atmosphere was relaxed—until one unforgettable night changed everything.
On December 4, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention were performing at the casino. During the concert, a fan in the audience fired a flare gun into the ceiling. The wooden structure quickly caught fire, and within minutes, the entire building was engulfed in flames. The band members of Deep Purple, who were in town preparing to record, watched the chaos unfold from their hotel across the lake. The blaze lit up the night sky, and thick smoke drifted out over Lake Geneva—a scene that would later inspire one of rock’s most famous riffs.
With the casino destroyed, Deep Purple had to find another recording location. They first tried a local theater, but noise complaints from neighbors forced them to move again. Eventually, they set up in the empty Grand Hotel, turning hallways and ballrooms into makeshift studios. It was there that bassist Roger Glover woke from a dream with the phrase ‘Smoke on the Water’ in his head. The lyrics, written by Glover and vocalist Ian Gillan, told the true story of the fire and their scramble to finish the album.
Released in 1972, ‘Smoke on the Water’ became one of Deep Purple’s signature songs. Its iconic four-note guitar riff by Ritchie Blackmore is instantly recognizable, and the track has since become a staple of rock radio and guitar lessons worldwide. What began as a disastrous night in Montreux ended up inspiring one of the greatest rock anthems of all time.
