Classic Rock Covers Database & Infographics: Deep Purple

Deep Purple - Shades of Deep Purple (1968)

Deep Purple – Shades of Deep Purple (1968): The Birth of a Hard Rock Legend

Released in July 1968, Shades of Deep Purple is the debut studio album by English rock band Deep Purple. While the group would later become synonymous with hard rock and heavy metal, this first album reveals a band still rooted in psychedelic rock, progressive experimentation, and classical influences. Though often overlooked compared to their later masterpieces, Shades of Deep Purple represents the foundation of one of rock music’s most influential bands.

Album Overview

Album Title: Shades of Deep Purple
Release Date: July 1968
Label: Tetragrammaton Records (US), Parlophone (UK)
Producer: Derek Lawrence
Genre: Psychedelic rock, progressive rock, hard rock
Length: 34:26
Formats: Vinyl, cassette, CD, digital

The album was recorded in London during a period of rapid musical evolution. Deep Purple’s early sound blended psychedelic textures, Hammond organ-driven arrangements, and reinterpretations of contemporary songs, setting them apart from other British rock bands of the era.

Tracklist

And the Address – 4:55
Hush – 4:12
One More Rainy Day – 3:29
Prelude: Happiness / I’m So Glad – 6:18
Mandrake Root – 6:00
Help! – 5:58
Love Help Me – 3:49

Mini Album Review

Shades of Deep Purple captures a band still searching for its definitive identity. Psychedelic arrangements dominate the album, with swirling Hammond organ lines from Jon Lord and bluesy guitar flourishes from Ritchie Blackmore.

The standout track, Hush, became a surprise international hit, reaching the Top 5 in the US charts. The band’s reworking of The Beatles’ Help! is ambitious and experimental, showcasing extended instrumental sections uncommon for pop covers at the time. Mandrake Root hints at the heavier sound that Deep Purple would later perfect, particularly through Blackmore’s aggressive guitar phrasing and Lord’s classically inspired organ solos.

Deep Purple: Band Biography

Deep Purple formed in Hertford, England, in 1968. Originally conceived as a progressive and psychedelic rock group, the band went through several lineup changes before solidifying their iconic hard rock sound in the early 1970s.

They are widely regarded as pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal, influencing countless bands with their loud volume, virtuosic musicianship, and fusion of rock with classical elements. Alongside Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, Deep Purple forms the “unholy trinity” of early heavy rock.

Band Members (Mark I Lineup)

Rod Evans – Lead vocals
Ritchie Blackmore – Guitar
Jon Lord – Hammond organ, keyboards
Nick Simper – Bass guitar
Ian Paice – Drums

This original lineup, known as Mark I, recorded the band’s first three albums before significant lineup changes transformed their sound.

Fun Facts & Trivia

Hush was originally written by Joe South and chosen as a single almost by accident.
The album sold significantly better in the United States than in the UK upon release.
Jon Lord’s Hammond organ was run through guitar amplifiers to create a heavier tone.
The album artwork was designed to reflect the psychedelic aesthetic popular in 1968.
Deep Purple were initially marketed as a progressive rock band rather than hard rock.

Did You Know?

Shades of Deep Purple was recorded in just a few days.
Ritchie Blackmore initially disliked the band’s psychedelic direction.
The success of Hush helped Deep Purple secure a US tour before they were famous in Britain.
Ian Paice is the only member to appear on every Deep Purple studio album.

Goofs & Oddities

The album’s original US pressings had inconsistent track timings printed on the sleeve.
Some early releases miscredited songwriting contributions.
The band later distanced themselves from the album’s psychedelic style, rarely performing most tracks live.

Deep Purple Discography (Studio Albums)

Shades of Deep Purple (1968)
The Book of Taliesyn (1968)
Deep Purple (1969)
In Rock (1970)
Fireball (1971)
Machine Head (1972)
Who Do We Think We Are (1973)
Burn (1974)
Stormbringer (1974)
Come Taste the Band (1975)
Perfect Strangers (1984)
The House of Blue Light (1987)
Slaves and Masters (1990)
The Battle Rages On (1993)
Abandon (1998)
Bananas (2003)
Rapture of the Deep (2005)
Now What?! (2013)
Infinite (2017)
Whoosh! (2020)
Turning to Crime (2021)

Most Iconic Concerts

Royal Albert Hall (1969, 1999)
California Jam (1974)
Made in Japan Tour (1972)
Perfect Strangers World Tour (1984–85)

Best-Selling Album

Machine Head (1972)

Over 20 million copies sold worldwide
Includes Smoke on the Water, one of the most recognizable riffs in rock history

Cultural Impact

While Shades of Deep Purple may not reflect the band’s later heavy sound, it remains a vital historical document. It shows a band experimenting fearlessly, blending genres, and laying the groundwork for a revolutionary approach to rock music. The album helped launch a career that would redefine volume, virtuosity, and power in rock.

Conclusion

Shades of Deep Purple (1968) is more than a debut—it’s the first chapter in one of rock’s most influential stories. From the chart success of Hush to the early signs of musical aggression in Mandrake Root, the album captures Deep Purple in transition. For fans of classic rock history, it remains an essential listen and a fascinating glimpse into the birth of hard rock giants.