Deep Purple perform 'Smoke on the Water' at historic gig on water of Lake Geneva
A fire in Montreux inspired their classic track 53 years ago
Last updated 10th Jul 2024
Deep Purple have made history by performing their seminal 1972 rock anthem ‘Smoke on the Water’ on Lake Geneva in Switzerland.
In late 1971, Deep Purple were primed to record their new studio album ‘Machine Head’ at Montreux Casino, however they were forced to relocate on the eve of the sessions when the casino burnt down during a Frank Zappa concert on 4th December 1971.
The apocalyptic scenes were the direct inspiration for arguably Deep Purple’s most famous song ‘Smoke on the Water’, which, of course, was powered by Ritchie Blackmore’s legendary riff.
On Monday night (8th July), Deep Purple headlined the 58th edition of the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival just a stone’s throw away from the scene of the devastating fire.
It was Deep Purple’s tenth appearance in Montreux, however this time they performed on the festival’s brand-new Lake Stage – constructed in a breathtaking setting on the water of Lake Geneva.
Together with classics such as ‘Highway Star’, ‘Black Night’ and ‘Space Truckin’, Deep Purple poignantly performed ‘Smoke on the Water’ as their final track before the encore.
See photos of Deep Purple's historic performance on Lake Geneva:
Deep Purple perform on Lake Geneva at Montreux Jazz Festival
Deep Purple perform on Lake Geneva at Montreux Jazz Festival
Deep Purple perform on Lake Geneva at Montreux Jazz Festival
Deep Purple perform on Lake Geneva at Montreux Jazz Festival
Deep Purple perform on Lake Geneva at Montreux Jazz Festival
Deep Purple perform on Lake Geneva at Montreux Jazz Festival
Deep Purple perform on Lake Geneva at Montreux Jazz Festival
Deep Purple perform on Lake Geneva at Montreux Jazz Festival
Deep Purple perform on Lake Geneva at Montreux Jazz Festival
Deep Purple perform on Lake Geneva at Montreux Jazz Festival
Deep Purple perform on Lake Geneva at Montreux Jazz Festival
Speaking about the casino fire that inspired 'Smoke on the Water', Roger Glover told a Q&A panel at Montreux Jazz Festival: “It burned all afternoon, all evening, all through the night. We went and looked at it the next morning and there it was, gone. It was a frightening thing.
"The following morning, I was in my room alone and I woke up with those words on my lips, and I said them out to an empty room. And then I kind of really woke up and I said ‘what did I just say? Smoke on the Water?’ No idea what it meant. I mentioned it to Ian (Gillan) and he said, ‘Yeah, sounds like a drug song, we better not do that.’”
Along with its Deep Purple ties, Lake Geneva features a famous statue of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury.
Mercury owned a second home in Montreux and a photo of his statue adorns the cover of Queen’s final album ‘Made in Heaven.’