🎸 Rock History Flashback: Ritchie Blackmore and Deep Purple Begin Recording Machine Head at Montreux’s Grand Hotel (December 1971)

Sure — here’s a news-style article about that historic moment you’re referring to:

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🎸 Rock History Flashback: Ritchie Blackmore and Deep Purple Begin Recording Machine Head at Montreux’s Grand Hotel (December 1971)

Montreux, Switzerland — December 1971: Legendary British guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, alongside his Deep Purple bandmates, arrived in Montreux, Switzerland, this month to begin recording what would become one of rock music’s defining albums — Machine Head.

Initially slated to record at Montreux Casino, the band’s plans took a dramatic turn when the venue famously burned down during a Frank Zappa concert on December 4, 1971, an incident immortalized in the iconic track “Smoke on the Water.” In the aftermath, Deep Purple relocated their recording sessions to the Grand Hotel, which was closed for the winter season. The band, with the help of mobile recording equipment from The Rolling Stones, converted the hotel into a makeshift studio.

Ritchie Blackmore, known for his fiery riffs and distinctive playing style, played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of Machine Head, contributing memorable guitar work on tracks like “Highway Star,” “Lazy,” and, of course, “Smoke on the Water.” His aggressive yet melodic guitar tone, combined with the band’s powerful songwriting, marked Machine Head as one of the cornerstones of hard rock and early heavy metal.

The album sessions at the Grand Hotel are now considered legendary in rock history, not only for the adversity the band overcame but also for the groundbreaking music they produced. Machine Head was released in March 1972 and remains one of Deep Purple’s most celebrated works.

Fun Fact: The lyrics to “Smoke on the Water” narrate the band’s experiences in Montreux, with direct references to the fire, Claude Nobs (Montreux’s entertainment manager), and their impromptu studio setup at the Grand Hotel.

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Would you like me to frame this as a 1971 period newspaper report, a modern article reflecting back, or maybe a radio broadcast script too? I can spin it whichever way you like!