Deep Purple

Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members claimed that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre. They were once listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as "the loudest pop group", and have sold over 100 million albums worldwide, including 7.5 million certified units in the US. Deep Purple were ranked #22 on VH1's Greatest Artists of Hard Rock programme.. Deep Purple are cited, along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, as pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal. The group have influenced a number of rock bands, including Metallica, Queen, Aerosmith, Van Halen, Alice in Chains, Pantera, Bon Jovi, Rush, Motörhead, as well as many New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Def Leppard. Iron Maiden's bassist and primary songwriter, Steve Harris, states that the band's "heaviness" was inspired by "Black Sabbath and Deep Purple with a bit of Zeppelin thrown in." Lead vocalist of Def Leppard, Joe Elliot, has stated, "In 1971, there were only three bands that mattered, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple." In 2000, Deep Purple were ranked number 22 on VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock" programme.. As of 2012, Deep Purple have not been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Toto guitarist Steve Lukather commented, "they put Patti Smith in there but not Deep Purple? What's the first song every kid learns how to play? ["Smoke On The Water"]...And they're not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? ...the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has lost its cool because of the glaring omissions." Former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash expressed his surprise and disagreement for the non-induction of Deep Purple; "The list of people who haven’t even been nominated is mind-boggling..(the) big one for me is Deep Purple. How could you not induct Deep Purple?". When asked what band he'd like to see inducted into the Rock Hall, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich lobbied for Deep Purple....
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