Love Child

Zoo Freaks, get ready for a deep dive into "Love Child" by Deep Purple from their 1975 album Come Taste the Band, spinning on THE ZOO! This track, a funky, hard-rocking gem, showcases the band’s bold shift with their Mark IV lineup, featuring the electrifying Tommy Bolin on guitar. One juicy piece of trivia comes from fan discussions on Glenn Hughes Fan Forum, where bassist Glenn Hughes revealed he and vocalist David Coverdale were heavily into soul and funk, influences that seeped into "Love Child"’s groovy rhythm. Hughes once shared in a 1975 Melody Maker interview that the song’s raw energy was born from late-night jam sessions in Miami, with Bolin’s improvisational flair pushing the band into uncharted territory. Fans on the Deep Purple Family Facebook group often rave about how the track’s pulsating bassline and Coverdale’s gritty vocals capture a band reinventing itself amidst chaos.

Another tidbit from La Maison des Légendes, a French fan site, highlights the song’s divisive reception. While some purists felt it strayed too far from Deep Purple’s classic heavy metal roots, others, like commenter Stéphane Polowczyk, called it a “classic” that outshines earlier albums like Fireball. The track’s lyrics, penned by Coverdale, hint at a tumultuous love story, which some fans on Deep Purple’s official Facebook speculate were inspired by the band’s internal struggles, including Bolin’s well-documented battle with heroin addiction. Tragically, Bolin’s performance on "Love Child" was a high point before his struggles impacted the band’s final shows, as noted by fan Xavier Mercier on La Maison des Légendes, who praised the studio version but lamented Bolin’s inconsistent live performances due to drug use.

Now, let’s rewind to how Deep Purple got started. Formed in London in 1968, the band emerged from the psychedelic rock scene as Roundabout before adopting their iconic name, inspired by a song loved by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore’s grandmother. Their early lineup, including Jon Lord on organ and Ian Paice on drums, blended progressive and classical elements, as detailed on their official website. Their 1968 debut, Shades of Deep Purple, featured the hit “Hush,” but it was 1970’s Deep Purple in Rock that cemented their heavy metal legacy, earning them a spot in the “unholy trinity” alongside Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. With over 100 million records sold, their journey from psychedelic roots to hard rock pioneers is chronicled on fan sites like The Highway Star, which details their lineup changes and enduring influence.

Connect with Deep Purple and their Zoo Freak community! Check out their Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates. Dive deeper with fan hubs like The Highway Star, La Maison des Légendes, and the Deep Purple Family Facebook group, where fans share stories, rare photos, and love for tracks like "Love Child." Keep it groovy, Zoo Freaks!