Highway Star (Live 1972)

The Zoo Crew is spinning the electrifying Highway Star (Live 1972) by Deep Purple from their iconic live album Made in Japan, and the Zoo Freaks are surely rocking out. This track, recorded during the band’s first tour of Japan in August 1972, is a high-octane anthem that captures Deep Purple at their peak. The song’s origin is a legendary tale: it was born on a tour bus in 1971 when a reporter asked how the band wrote songs. Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore grabbed an acoustic guitar and started riffing a single “G” note repeatedly, while vocalist Ian Gillan improvised lyrics on the spot. They refined it and performed it that same night, cementing its place as a set opener and a fan favorite. The live version from Made in Japan, particularly from the August 16 Osaka show, is often hailed as the definitive rendition, with Jon Lord’s organ solo and Blackmore’s fiery guitar work stealing the show. Fans on Reddit have called it “incendiary,” with one user noting Blackmore “destroys” in this performance.

Another tidbit about Highway Star comes from its cultural impact. In 2018, the sci-fi series The Expanse featured a cover by Cory Todd in its third season, with lyrics reworked in Belter Creole to fit the show’s asteroid belt setting, swapping car references for spaceships. This version later appeared on the show’s Collector’s Edition soundtrack. The song’s raw energy also inspired punk influences, with one Songfacts commenter pointing out its whammy bar chaos in the live solo as a precursor to punk rock, even influencing bands like Generation X. The Highway Star fan site notes that Billy Idol’s Generation X faced UK press mockery for admiring Deep Purple, showing the song’s unexpected reach across genres.

Deep Purple formed in Hertford, England, in 1968, initially as a psychedelic rock outfit called Roundabout. The band’s classic Mark II lineup—Ritchie Blackmore (guitar), Ian Gillan (vocals), Roger Glover (bass), Jon Lord (keyboards), and Ian Paice (drums)—came together in 1969 and shifted toward a heavier sound, inspired by Blackmore’s vision for a raw, powerful style. Their 1970 album Deep Purple in Rock marked them as pioneers of heavy metal, alongside contemporaries like Black Sabbath. The band’s early days were chaotic, with multiple lineup changes and a relentless touring schedule, but their improvisational prowess and classical influences, especially from Lord’s organ, set them apart. By the time they recorded Machine Head in 1971, which included the studio version of Highway Star, they were a global force, though internal tensions would soon lead to Gillan and Glover’s departure in 1973.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, check out Deep Purple’s official website for tour dates and merch. Their Facebook page keeps fans updated with news and throwback posts, while Instagram offers behind-the-scenes glimpses. On X, the band shares updates like their 2023 return to Tokyo’s Budokan, where Made in Japan was partly recorded. Fan-run sites like The Highway Star, the oldest and largest Deep Purple fan site since 1993, offer news, reviews, and lyrics. Join the Deep Purple Fans Facebook group to connect with fellow enthusiasts sharing stories and rare photos. Keep rocking, Zoo Freaks!