Burn

The Zoo Crew is spinning the electrifying track "Burn" by Deep Purple from their 1974 album of the same name, a favorite among Zoo Freaks. This song, the album’s opener, is a hard rock masterpiece with a blistering guitar riff inspired by George Gershwin’s "Fascinating Rhythm," as noted in the Jerry Bloom biography Black Knight. David Coverdale, the band’s then-new lead singer, wrote multiple sets of lyrics—up to seven, according to an interview cited on Songfacts—to satisfy guitarist Ritchie Blackmore’s preference for themes like demonology and mythology, steering clear of typical rock topics like touring life. The song’s intense energy made it Deep Purple’s concert opener for two years, replacing "Highway Star," and was performed at the California Jam festival in 1974, as mentioned on Wikipedia. Fans on Reddit praise "Burn" as a top track, with one user calling it their all-time favorite for its nostalgic pull, tied to mixtapes from a sibling’s college radio days.

Another layer of trivia comes from the song’s influence and reception. Paul Stanley of KISS admitted that the riff for "Burn" inspired their song "I Stole Your Love" from the album Love Gun, a connection highlighted on Songfacts. Eddie Van Halen also named "Burn" one of his favorite guitar riffs in a Billboard interview, underscoring its impact on rock music. The track features Jon Lord’s iconic Hammond organ and synthesizer work, blending classical influences with hard rock, as noted by Wikipedia. Despite its success, the recording process wasn’t without challenges. Coverdale and new bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes brought soul and funk elements to the album, which Blackmore later criticized as "shoeshine music," according to a 1973 NME interview. These tensions foreshadowed Blackmore’s departure after the follow-up album, Stormbringer.

Deep Purple began in London in 1968, originally named Roundabout, before guitarist Ritchie Blackmore suggested the name Deep Purple, inspired by his grandmother’s favorite song by Peter DeRose, as shared in a post by @Gagheffro on X. The band started as a psychedelic and progressive rock outfit, releasing albums like Shades of Deep Purple with vocalist Rod Evans and bassist Nick Simper. By 1969, the classic Mark II lineup—featuring Ian Gillan (vocals), Roger Glover (bass), Blackmore, Jon Lord (keyboards), and Ian Paice (drums)—shifted to a heavier sound with Deep Purple in Rock, cementing their status as pioneers of heavy metal alongside Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, as noted on Wikipedia. Their 1972 album Machine Head, with the hit "Smoke on the Water," and the live album Made in Japan skyrocketed their fame, earning them a Guinness World Record in 1975 as the "globe’s loudest band" for a 1972 concert.

The band’s evolution continued through lineup changes, with Coverdale and Hughes joining for the Mark III era, which produced "Burn." Despite internal conflicts, Deep Purple’s commercial success persisted, with Burn reaching number three in the UK and number nine in the US, as posted by @TalkRockMusic on X. Over the decades, the band has sold over 100 million records and spawned spinoff acts like Whitesnake, Rainbow, and Gillan. Their enduring influence is evident in praise from artists like Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, who called Made in Japan his favorite album, per Wikipedia. Deep Purple was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016, a testament to their lasting legacy.

Fans can connect with Deep Purple through their official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates, merchandise, and news about recent albums like =1. The fan-run site The Highway Star offers extensive news, reviews, and tour info, while the Deep Purple Fan Forum on Runboard provides a space for discussions and polls. On Facebook, groups like Deep Purple Fans foster community among enthusiasts, sharing memories and rare photos. These platforms keep the Zoo Freaks’ passion for Deep Purple’s music, especially tracks like "Burn," alive and thriving.