Is Deep Purple A-List?

[Chip Z'Hoy]

I hope some people that remember the 70's are still with us because we for sure need that perspective on this.

Standard of measurement: Led Zeppelin were A-List in the 70's from January 1st, 1970 through December 31, 1979. (Some say the 70's started in '71. I don't agree! Take a hike with that commie shit.)

Black Sabbath? Can we get a ref on this? Part of me feels like their A-List status was short-lived but obviously the music has prevailed over time. Nolo contendre A-Listers now.

But Ted Nugent? Probably an A-Lister too at one point. Not even close now.

Anyway, so my understanding of Deep Purple was Perfect Strangers, that was the first album I heard. Then I worked my way back to Machine Head and the classic stuff. (Rod Evans era, super underrated.)

"Smoke on the Water": Probably the first riff kids learn to this day. A-List stuff, folks.

Let's get this thread to PAGE 2!!!!

[krisholmes]

Well, they should be!

The only problem with their list status is that they (unlike Sabbath, Zeppelin and many others) were split up for half the 70's Just imagine what they could have achieved had they stayed together....

[daveg]

I'll put their greatest hits up against just about anyone in rock history.

One of the greatest riffs ever written

Best comeback album ever

Sounds A list to me.

[LurkingAtWork]

They broke up right when they were on the precipice of mega legend status, which was really dumb. They almost salvaged it with Coverdale & Hughes but then Blackmore bailed and it was over.

They're a B-List band that could have and should have been bigger.

[Demon Kogure]

You're asking this question on a message board where Ian Gillan, one of the greatest singers of all time, was described just two days ago as a "loser in blue vest AC DC reject"

[Tommy2Tone84]

I knew Smoke On The Water. My friend’s dad had a compilation on 8-track that had Smoke and Iron Man on it. Perfect Strangers and the reunion live album Nobody’s Perfect was my real introduction to the band and the first two I ever owned.

I was always a bigger LZ and Sabbath fan, I think Purple are and should be considered A-List. Even with Coverdale, Hughes and later Bolin they were great. Burn, Stormbringer and Come Taste The Band are a killer trifecta.

I never considered Ted Nugent A-List. He did play Cal Jam 2 during the day to thousands of people but so did Bob Welch.

Purple were definitely underrated and not the media darlings or quite the fan favorites that LZ and even Sabbath seemed to be when I was growing up in the 70s and 80s.

I also agree with Chip about the Mk 1 lineup. I used to not like the Evans lineup but now I do. Purple’s influence on hard rock, metal and prog is way understated almost dismissed at times, imo.

Purple are a lot like The Who. They are both seminal bands who are so influential but never quite get the credit they deserved from certain camps in the media, industry and even fans.

I barely remember Purple’s reunion in the mid 80s. I really don’t remember it and only got turned onto the Perfect Strangers album through a friend of mine a couple years after the fact. I bought Nobody’s Perfect as an impulse buy in the late 80s. Between ‘84 and ‘89 you couldn’t open a rock magazine without a possible LZ reunion being mentioned or even having a full, four page article being discussed. I don’t remember Deep Purple ever getting that kind of coverage regularly or getting that kind of rub & tugging from the people who ran Rolling Stone, Spin, Circus, Hit Parader, Metal Edge and those types of rags. Zeppelin and Sabbath always seemed to be the popular kids at school compared to Purple and The Who.

[Van Ailin']

Jon Lord and Ian Paice are what put Deep Purple up to A-list in the 70s, in my book. They've not been since, including Perfect Strangers, but they've been consistently a very good band. The Morse albums have some superb songs on every single project. And the recent albums are pretty good, too. Don Airey has been a strong replacement for Lord.

The Eastern Europeans and Russians have this one correct - a truly classic band.

[Chip Z'Hoy]

You're asking this question on a message board where Ian Gillan, one of the greatest singers of all time, was described just two days ago as a "loser in blue vest AC DC reject"

Literally laughed out loud at this.

[FreddyFender]

Deep Purple was A-list for a blistering moment in the states - Machine Head/Made in Japan - but broke up like a year later (more on that below).

Sabbath had a similarly huge moment with Paranoid, but didn't break up. They stayed a big fucking deal for at least the first half of the 70s.

Led Zeppelin was beyond A-list and into Beatles/Elvis territory.

As for the Coverdale era? My Dad was a big fan of "Hush" and the Gillin records. "Listen to that organ!" he'd always say. When 1987 blew up, I remember reading that Coverdale was in Deep Purple and both my parents were like "No, that's a misprint. That man was NOT in Deep Purple"

[HueyRamone]

They limped to the finish line too long to be A list. WDWTWA, Burn, Stormbringer were all only gold. CTTB didnt get there. Not bad, but not A list.

[pieceofme]

From a UK perspective, absolutely.

They were definitely one of the big classic rock bands from the era.

[Sleek]

I hope some people that remember the 70's are still with us because we for sure need that perspective on this.

Standard of measurement: Led Zeppelin were A-List in the 70's from January 1st, 1970 through December 31, 1979. (Some say the 70's started in '71. I don't agree! Take a hike with that commie shit.)

Black Sabbath? Can we get a ref on this? Part of me feels like their A-List status was short-lived but obviously the music has prevailed over time. Nolo contendre A-Listers now.

But Ted Nugent? Probably an A-Lister too at one point. Not even close now.

I think your standards are a bit off. Neither Zeppelin or Sabbath were A list in the seventies. They were album bands, big with the kids, but did not cross over with chart singles and stuff. Sabbath never even had a top 10 album in the US. Same with Nugent.

A list in rock was liiiike, the Eagles or Bee Gees (for 2 years), Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Rod Stewart and the Stones. In pop it was like Barry Manilow, Kenny Rogers.

Arguably, by the late seventies Zeppelin were A list, but their own standards kept them out of the pop cultural limelight, so it was like an underground A list. They never guested on SNL (Stones) or had a TV special (Bee Gees) or Movie (Bee Gees, Kiss, Kenny Rogers) or anything. There was never a mention of them on One Day At a Time (Elton John) or whatever. They were just there chugging along in the background selling albums and tickets.

Sabbath and Zeppelin were growers tho. They had staying power that has put them into the heights of continuing sales as each new generation discovers them.

Deep Purple was like all of that combined. They didn't have big singles or albums in the US, they did not have pop culture visibility, and because o their numerous break-ups, they didn't have the staying power to make their "brand" grow over time.

[Dyslexicheart]

Deep Purple absolutely were A-list, particularly the Mark II version, including the Perfect Strangers era. Not so much now without Blackmore and Lord in the band.

[Dyslexicheart]

I hope some people that remember the 70's are still with us because we for sure need that perspective on this.

Standard of measurement: Led Zeppelin were A-List in the 70's from January 1st, 1970 through December 31, 1979. (Some say the 70's started in '71. I don't agree! Take a hike with that commie shit.)

Black Sabbath? Can we get a ref on this? Part of me feels like their A-List status was short-lived but obviously the music has prevailed over time. Nolo contendre A-Listers now.

But Ted Nugent? Probably an A-Lister too at one point. Not even close now.

I think your standards are a bit off. Neither Zeppelin or Sabbath were A list in the seventies. They were album bands, big with the kids, but did not cross over with chart singles and stuff. Sabbath never even had a top 10 album in the US. Same with Nugent.

A list in rock was liiiike, the Eagles or Bee Gees (for 2 years), Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Rod Stewart and the Stones. In pop it was like Barry Manilow, Kenny Rogers.

Arguably, by the late seventies Zeppelin were A list, but their own standards kept them out of the pop cultural limelight, so it was like an underground A list. They never guested on SNL (Stones) or had a TV special (Bee Gees) or Movie (Bee Gees, Kiss, Kenny Rogers) or anything. There was never a mention of them on One Day At a Time (Elton John) or whatever. They were just there chugging along in the background selling albums and tickets.

Sabbath and Zeppelin were growers tho. They had staying power that has put them into the heights of continuing sales as each new generation discovers them.

Deep Purple was like all of that combined. They didn't have big singles or albums in the US, they did not have pop culture visibility, and because o their numerous break-ups, they didn't have the staying power to make their "brand" grow over time.

I think the flaw in your argument is that album bands can't be A-list. On no planet was Led Zep not an A-List band in the 70's. They were THE biggest band of the entire decade, with only the Stones as serious contenders. Sabbath were a little more niche, and obtained A-List over time retroactively.

[Sleek]

In what way do you feel Zeppelin were the "biggest band of the seventies" ? Like what's your criteria? Album sales? Tickets? Visibility?

All I can say is that being a midwestern kid listening to rock radio in '76, they were not in the conversation. Aerosmith and Fleetwood Mac Were huge, KISS, though they weren't on the radio were the most argued-about band on the playground and seemed like they were everywhere visibility-wise.

In '78, I remember hearing a lot of Queen and Nugent, but still no Zeppelin.

It really wasn't until I was liiiiike `15 and buying my own records I really heard them. Even then, there was a misfire. I bought the cheapest Zeppelin record I could find, which was In Through the Out Door and was like:"Why do people like this?"

Eventually, I bought the first couple albums and got it...but they were just that invisible to somebody outside of the rock world.

[Chip Z'Hoy]

I think your standards are a bit off. Neither Zeppelin or Sabbath were A list in the seventies. They were album bands, big with the kids, but did not cross over with chart singles and stuff. Sabbath never even had a top 10 album in the US. Same with Nugent.

A list in rock was liiiike, the Eagles or Bee Gees (for 2 years), Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Rod Stewart and the Stones. In pop it was like Barry Manilow, Kenny Rogers.

This makes sense. It's like the impression kids might have about Nirvana, that they were the biggest band of the 90's, when they were big for maybe about a year or two before getting passed by Pearl Jam. And even when they were big, they weren't up there with Metallica and Guns N' Roses.

So that's exactly what I meant, I only know the "rock history" version of the 70's, not the reality of it.

I'll let y'all work this one out.

[Rocker4Real]

Did they ever fill an arena as a headliner?

[Sleek]

Oh yeah. They were a big live band. Even did some stadiums.

[Van Ailin']

They limped to the finish line too long to be A list. WDWTWA, Burn, Stormbringer were all only gold. CTTB didnt get there. Not bad, but not A list.

Finish line? They did something like 10 more (largely very good) albums after that.

[Bono Nettencourt]

They limped to the finish line too long to be A list. WDWTWA, Burn, Stormbringer were all only gold. CTTB didnt get there. Not bad, but not A list.

Ooh, look who discovered Wikipedia!

WDW... was the Mark II breakup album. Gillan hated Blackhead and couldn't wait to get out.

Coverpurple were good, but not up to par with Mark II.

CTTB was their VH III. Bolin was talented but a total junkie.

They got back together in 84 and it was like they never stopped. If that's not A-list, idk what is.

[HueyRamone]

They limped to the finish line too long to be A list. WDWTWA, Burn, Stormbringer were all only gold. CTTB didnt get there. Not bad, but not A list.

Finish line? They did something like 10 more (largely very good) albums after that.

I was talking about their initial run. Each record had less OG members, less sales, less relevance etc. I dont think anyone was considering post Perfect Strangers DP A-list. maybe some are?

[Van Ailin']

I was talking about their initial run. Each record had less OG members, less sales, less relevance etc. I dont think anyone was considering post Perfect Strangers DP A-list. maybe some are?

Perfect Strangers is not A-list. It's fairly good. They've made a number better than that since then, a couple of the Morse albums. All of them are pretty good. Don't care about sales. The hoi polloi are know-nothings.

[Bono Nettencourt]

I hope some people that remember the 70's are still with us because we for sure need that perspective on this.

Standard of measurement: Led Zeppelin were A-List in the 70's from January 1st, 1970 through December 31, 1979. (Some say the 70's started in '71. I don't agree! Take a hike with that commie shit.)

Black Sabbath? Can we get a ref on this? Part of me feels like their A-List status was short-lived but obviously the music has prevailed over time. Nolo contendre A-Listers now.

But Ted Nugent? Probably an A-Lister too at one point. Not even close now.

I think your standards are a bit off. Neither Zeppelin or Sabbath were A list in the seventies.

WTH does this even mean... Led Zeppelin were big business throughout the 70s. Every album except I, IV and Coda was #1, and the tours were huge, with either multiple arena dates or stadiums, all sold-out. They even had a movie for God's sake, and that crummy record of theirs that you bought in 1979 came out with 6 different covers because their fans were rabid enough to buy'em all. You were right about that they didn't appear to get the hype other bands got because the rock press hated them from the beginning and the feeling was mutual. If they weren't the biggest rock band in the 70s then who was?

[HueyRamone]

I was talking about their initial run. Each record had less OG members, less sales, less relevance etc. I dont think anyone was considering post Perfect Strangers DP A-list. maybe some are?

Perfect Strangers is not A-list. It's fairly good. They've made a number better than that since then, a couple of the Morse albums. All of them are pretty good. Don't care about sales. The hoi polloi are know-nothings.

That's all very well, but A-List is the discussion and A-list is all about numbers - Sales, popularity, power, money.

[Van Ailin']

That's all very well, but A-List is the discussion and A-list is all about numbers - Sales, popularity, power, money.

My response was to you ending the list before they were done. Also . . . I don't ever miss a chance to criticize the hoi polloi. Because they are deserving. It's how we got stuck with Warrant and Slaughter in the late 80s.

[Tommy]

Didn't Zeppelin regularly break gate #'s in the 70's?


Anyway, I like Deep Purple but the multiple lineup changes can't be ignored. That subtracts from legacy, IMO. Some bands pull it off (Eagles).

[Ozzy Stradlin]

There was a time when Deep Purple was one of the bigger bands in the world, so, yes.

[lemmyswart2]

With Ritchie ....Yes.....without Ritchie no.. and Ritchie could give 2 shits and a fuck as he does what he wants. The other members cannot.

[EzyRider]

I hope some people that remember the 70's are still with us because we for sure need that perspective on this...

It really depends on how you define 'A' list, but from a 'rock royalty' standpoint you can't deny Deep Purple, especially because it's Richie Blackmore's band (let's forget all the other sh*t without him for now).

Let's take a look at the California Jam 1 poster from 1974:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Jam
"Deep Purple arrived in their own chartered jet, the Starship, with the band's name painted on the sides. This was the first time a major band arrived specifically for a music festival in their own aircraft"

This is 'A' list folks.

[Ozzy Stradlin]

With Ritchie ....Yes.....without Ritchie no.. and Ritchie could give 2 shits and a fuck as he does what he wants. The other members cannot.

My understanding is that Deep Purple split the proceeds up 5 ways, at least during their most successful eras, so…I’m not sure why Richie would be any more well-off financially than the others.