Stormbringer

Zoo Freaks, get ready to ride the rainbow with some electrifying trivia about Deep Purple's "Stormbringer," the title track from their 1974 album, spinning now at THE ZOO! The song, a fierce blend of hard rock and mystical vibes, was penned by vocalist David Coverdale and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. In a 1974 interview with New Musical Express, Coverdale revealed he crafted the lyrics around a mythical creature called Stormbringer, stirring up chaos in a surreal tale, akin to the fiery energy of their previous album’s title track, "Burn." Curiously, Coverdale claimed he was unaware of Michael Moorcock’s famous sword-wielding Stormbringer from the 1963 novel The Stealer of Souls until a bandmate pointed out the connection after recording. Only later, rummaging through a trunk of paperbacks at home, did Coverdale discover Moorcock’s sci-fi works, sparking a retroactive nod to the literary inspiration.

Another wild tidbit comes from a Glenn Hughes interview, where he shared that the song’s opening features eerie gibberish from Coverdale, which is actually backwards dialogue lifted straight from Linda Blair’s possessed character in The Exorcist. Talk about a creepy touch to set the mood! The track itself, recorded at Musicland Studios in Munich, kicks off with Jon Lord’s synths before unleashing Blackmore’s stellar guitar riffs, with Hughes and drummer Ian Paice laying down a groove that keeps the storm raging. Fans on X have celebrated the song’s aggressive edge, with one user, Mick from Newcastle, likening its scorching solo to the blistering deserts and sciroccos of the Dune novels, a fitting image for its thunderous energy. The album’s cover, featuring a tornado and a Pegasus, was painted by artist Joe Garnett, who added the winged horse and rainbow lightning to a 1927 photo by Lucille Handberg, a classic image also used for Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew.

Now, let’s rewind to how Deep Purple got their start, a story as epic as the storm they bring. Formed in 1968 in Hertfordshire, England, the band began as a psychedelic rock outfit under the name Roundabout, with founding members Jon Lord (keyboards), Ritchie Blackmore (guitar), Rod Evans (vocals), Nick Simper (bass), and Ian Paice (drums). Lord and Blackmore, inspired by a mix of classical music and raw rock energy, wanted to create something heavier than the pop-leaning sounds of the era. The band’s name, Deep Purple, came from Lord’s grandmother’s favorite song, a 1930s hit by Peter DeRose. By 1969, the classic Mark II lineup solidified with Ian Gillan (vocals) and Roger Glover (bass), propelling them to global fame with albums like In Rock and Machine Head, the latter featuring the iconic "Smoke on the Water." Their blend of virtuosic musicianship and hard-hitting riffs made them pioneers of heavy metal and hard rock.

Over the decades, Deep Purple has seen lineup changes, including the Mark III era of "Stormbringer" with Coverdale and Hughes, but their relentless drive to innovate kept them at the forefront of rock. They’ve sold over 100 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016. For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, check out the band’s Facebook and Instagram for updates and throwback posts, or follow their X account for tour news and fan chatter. Fans also gather at sites like The Highway Star, a dedicated fan website with news, discographies, and forums. Join the Deep Purple Fans Facebook group to connect with fellow freaks sharing stories and rare vinyl finds. Keep rocking with THE ZOO, and let "Stormbringer" crack the sky!