50 years ago this month, Deep Purple fans got to hear, the new line-up of the then-Guinness Book of World’s Records’ “world’s loudest band” for the first time ever, with the release of Burn.
Former Trapeze bass player and vocalist Glenn Hughes was part of what came to latterly be referred to as the Mark II version of that band, alongside a reinvigorated Richie Blackmore, Jon Lord and Ian Paice, plus an unknown from up-north, named David Coverdale.
Having but recently completed a world tour with The Dead Daisies, “Voice of Rock” and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Hughes had recently announced he would be reconvening his solo band for Glenn Hughes Performs Classic Deep Purple Live dates in Spain. This has now been extended with further international dates confirmed and that he will be “Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the album Burn”, with a UK tour this coming October.
‘It was 50 years ago, in the summer of 1973, that the Burn album by Deep Purple was written at Clearwell Castle in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire,” reminisced Glenn.
“We all became one in this centuries old castle in the UK countryside, it felt like Deep were a new band, with David (Coverdale) and I as new members, we couldn’t wait to start working on new songs. The atmosphere was electric, in such amazing surroundings.
“All the songs on Burn were written in the crypt/dungeon, underneath the great hall. We worked on a new song every day, and we were in the flow. Musically we would play, and work out ideas, and David and I would come up with vocal melodies that would later have lyrics. I remember it like it was yesterday,” he continued.
“As you could imagine, Ritchie Blackmore was in full prankster mode, Jon had warned me, and he rigged my room one night with a speaker that was hidden, and had ghostly voices delivered to my bedside.
“The title track was the last song to be written. We came back from the pub, and went down into the crypt, and magic happened.”
Said to be influenced by Gershwin, Blackmore’s gargantuan riff for the phenomenal title track started things off at full throttle; challenging the seminal ‘Highway Star’ for the honour of best opener to any Deep Purple album, while showcasing the always impressive drumming of Ian Paice. Among the other highlights, 5he fantastic slow-boiling blues of ‘Mistreated’ qualifies it for the highest echelons of hard rock achievement, and ranks as an essential item in the discography of any self-respecting music fan.
Deep Purple’s eighth studio was recorded in Montreux, Switzerland, in November 1973, using the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio, as had the band’s previous monster hit album, Machine Head.
Released in February 1974, Deep Purple‘s hard rock sound began to incorporate both blues and rhythm blues, as the new members began to establish themselves greater elements of soul and funk would surface live, and become much more prominent on the follow-up album, Stormbringer.
Burn hit #3 on the UK Albums Chart, #9 on the US Billboard 200, and #1 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Norway.
In 2004, Burn was remastered and released with bonus tracks. ‘Coronarias Redig’was recorded during theoriginal recording sessions, but used only as a B-side for the ‘Might Just Take Your Life’7” vinyl single in 1974 (the band’s first UK single in two years). Remixed as a bonus track on the anniversary edition album rerelease, ‘Coronarias Redig’was also later used on Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. The following yearan unauthorised documentary about the Burn album was produced as part of The Ultimate Critical Review series, featuring a brand-new interview with Hughes.
Glenn Hughes’ band will feature long-term lead guitarist Soren Andersen, drummer Ash Sheehan, and see the first UK performances from Bob Fridzema, formerly of the award-winning King King, as keyboard player.
Not only will they perform tracks from the legendary rock album Burn but also songs from Deep Purple MKIII’s Stormbringer and MKIV’s Come Taste The Band.
“It’s time to celebrate Burn, and I’m really looking forward to seeing you,” said Hughes regarding the October tour.
Planet Rock has launched a 48-hour ticket pre-sale on tickets via this link. Tickets go on general sale at 10am on Thursday 23rd Februaryvia The Gig Cartel. Special guest on the UK tour is Canadian rock and roll band, The Damn Truth.
