Introduction
Smoke on the Water: Deep Purple’s Ode to a Rock and Roll Rollback
Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water” isn’t just a catchy riff – it’s a rock and roll anthem born from a dramatic event. The story goes back to December 1971, when the band was in Montreux, Switzerland, to record their album Machine Head at the Montreux Casino.
Events took a fiery turn when a Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention concert at the venue accidentally resulted in a fire. According to the song’s lyrics, “some stupid with a flare gun” ignited the flammable decor. The casino burned down, forcing Deep Purple to escape with just the clothes on their backs and the recording equipment they could salvage.
Undeterred, the band rented a mobile recording studio and set up on the shores of Lake Geneva, with a clear view of the smoldering casino across the water. It was here that the iconic riff of “Smoke on the Water” was born. The song’s instantly recognizable melody is said to be a recreation of the sound engineer trying to capture the rhythm of the smoke rising from the fire with a seasick feeling – “smoke on the water, a fire in the sky.”
“Smoke on the Water” wasn’t released until 1972 as part of the Machine Head album. While not initially a single, it rose to fame thanks to its powerful riff and relatable lyrics about a rock and roll show gone wrong. The song’s influence on rock guitar is undeniable, consistently ranking high on “greatest riffs” lists. “Smoke on the Water” cemented Deep Purple’s place in rock history and continues to be a beloved anthem for air guitarists and hard rock enthusiasts everywhere.