Rat Bat Blue

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the hard-rocking track "Rat Bat Blue" by Deep Purple from their 1973 album Who Do We Think We Are for all the Zoo Freaks out there. This song, clocking in at 5 minutes and 23 seconds, is a fan favorite, especially for bassist Roger Glover, who called it his top pick from the album in an interview with Michael Heatley for The Complete Deep Purple. Glover described the track as a gritty tale of "picking up a loose chick for the night," reflecting the band’s raw, rock-star lifestyle at the time. The song’s infectious energy comes from Ritchie Blackmore’s searing guitar riffs, which some fans on Last.fm note were inspired by the Led Zeppelin instrumental "Moby Dick," and Jon Lord’s standout keyboard solo, making it a must-listen for hard rock enthusiasts.

Behind the scenes, "Rat Bat Blue" was born during a tumultuous period for Deep Purple. Recorded in 1972 across sessions in Rome and Frankfurt using the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio, the album’s production was chaotic, with band members battling fatigue and internal tensions. Ian Gillan, the band’s vocalist, later reflected in a 1984 interview supporting the Perfect Strangers reunion that the group was exhausted after 18 months of relentless touring, with each member grappling with serious illnesses. He believed poor management pushed them to finish the album under pressure, contributing to his and Glover’s departure after its release. Despite these struggles, the song’s raw power shines through, and it remains a gem for fans, as seen in discussions on the Deep Purple Fan Forum, where devotees dissect its lyrics and energy.

Deep Purple’s journey began in 1968 in Hertford, England, when the band formed as a pioneering force in hard rock. Originally called Roundabout, the group coalesced around organist Jon Lord and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, with drummer Ian Paice, vocalist Rod Evans, and bassist Nick Simper rounding out the early lineup. Their debut album, Shades of Deep Purple, released in 1968, showcased a blend of psychedelic rock and baroque influences, with a cover of "Hush" becoming a hit in the U.S. By 1969, the arrival of Ian Gillan on vocals and Roger Glover on bass solidified the iconic Mark II lineup, which propelled the band to global fame with albums like In Rock (1970) and Machine Head (1972). Their heavy, organ-driven sound, inspired by Jimi Hendrix and Cream, helped define the genre alongside contemporaries like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, as noted in a Last.fm bio.

The band’s relentless touring and raw energy earned them a Guinness World Record as "the globe’s loudest band" in the 1970s and a spot at number 22 on VH1’s Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. Over the decades, Deep Purple has sold over 100 million albums worldwide, with 7.5 million certified units in the U.S. alone, according to Lyrics.com. Despite lineup changes and internal feuds, particularly between Gillan and Blackmore, the band’s legacy endures, with the Mark II lineup reuniting in 1984 for Perfect Strangers. Today, they continue to tour and record, with their latest album Turning to Crime released in 2021.

Fans can stay connected with Deep Purple through their official website, where they share tour dates, news, and merchandise. The band is active on social media, posting updates on Facebook, sharing photos and videos on Instagram, and engaging with fans on X. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, fan communities thrive online. The Deep Purple Fan Forum offers a space for passionate discussions, while Facebook groups like Deep Purple Fans unite supporters sharing memories and rare recordings. These platforms keep the spirit of "Rat Bat Blue" and Deep Purple’s legacy alive for fans old and new.