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The name Deep Purple has become synonymous with the Montreux Jazz Festival since their smash record ‘Smoke on the Water’. In 1972 there was a fire at the Montreux Casino. Later, as the inferno waned, the band looked out across Lake Geneva and saw that it was covered with a layer of smoke and so the song was born. Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan shares his memories of the festival with Yodel. What is your memory of the Jazz Festival?
favourite Montreux
Watching in amazement as Claude Nobs emerged from the hotel lift on a unicycle. What is the best about Montreux Festival?
thing Jazz
I like the way the musicians mingle with the public. I always walk to the venue (it's not far) and get a kick from seeing the fans in the street.
How do you think the festival has changed over the years? It's bigger than it was, but the ethos remains the same. What are you working on?
currently
My retirement. Oh yes, and finishing my life's work 'The Infinite God'. When interviewing Ian Gillan back in March we asked whether he had any plans to play the festival again to which he responded, “I hope not; should have retired years ago but I'm useless at planning.” However, it seems the lure of the festival is just too good to resist because Deep Purple will be playing at this year’s Montreux Jazz Festival on July 16th in the Auditorium Stravinski!
Do you feel a special connection to the place? Ye, very special. I'll never forget the smoke on the water.
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