Deep Purple was, in its ’70s hey day, known as much for their canny combining of prog and hard rock as for the sheer volume of their shows.
In fact, Deep Purple was recognized in 1972 by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s loudest band after a concert at London’s Rainbow Theatre reached 117 dB — well above the threshold of 95 dB when medical professionals believe that sustained exposure could result in ear damage. Legend says that three members of the 3,000-seat crowd that night were rendered unconscious by the sheer sound pressure.
Ian Gillan, in a newly posted interview for German television, says times have changed.
“We used to be pretty loud,” Ian Gillan admits, “but I think the focus has changed now. The impact of sheer volume was one thing that used to get written up about. The equipment now is so sophisticated, you can have volume without pain. [Chuckles.] It’s actually enjoyable; you’re not running around with your ears ringing after the show, like you used to be. There’s a lot more focus on what’s actually going on on stage. You can get involved with that a lot more. I think it’s a vast improvement over what it used to be.”
Still, fellow rock legend Alice Cooper argues that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Cooper, who somehow never shared a stage with Ian Gillan before their 2005 tour together when Deep Purple was playing in support of Rapture of the Deep, offers his assessment of their sound without hesitation. “We’re loud,” Alice Cooper admits. “They’re louder.”
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