The Bizarre Story of Worlds Most Famous Guitar Riff

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  • čas přidán 10. 05. 2023
  • We're exploring the events that led to Deep Purple's most iconic hard rock album Machine Head. Join me in my trip through Montreux to find the amazing sights and story behind Smoke on the Water!
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Komentáře • 259

  • @garageworker
    @garageworker Před rokem +53

    The lady who opened doors for you is an MVP. People like that who take time to show others history are amazing.

  • @jed1166
    @jed1166 Před rokem +4

    In 2014, I rode the train from Geneva, to Crans-Montana… riding on the lakes edge, and past the Hotel, I felt a real sense of history, and THE riff was stuck in my head for days… cool!

  • @chrishalemusic
    @chrishalemusic Před rokem +213

    Glad to see this song getting discussed I feel like Deep Purple largely gets forgotten in guitar circles.

    • @Turquoise636
      @Turquoise636 Před rokem +12

      True, one can learn a lot by playing Blackmore's solos

    • @TheLocalFuzz
      @TheLocalFuzz Před rokem +8

      Not by me!

    • @youreallygotmenow4855
      @youreallygotmenow4855 Před rokem +20

      'forgotten in guitar circles'?
      Who do you usually talk about music with? Mickey Mouse? 😂
      Blackmore is still regarded as one of the most important rock guitar players of all time fifty years after the release of Machine Head!
      I mean, he's rightly revered as one the fathers of hard rock guitar as we know it and every guitarist on Earth still plays his riffs and melodies to this very day.
      Talk about being 'forgotten' lol.

    • @chrishalemusic
      @chrishalemusic Před rokem +5

      @@TheLocalFuzz Same here.

    • @chrishalemusic
      @chrishalemusic Před rokem +10

      @@youreallygotmenow4855 so yeah I’m saying I agree with what you’re saying about Blackmore. I feel strongly that Deep Purple is on my Mount Rushmore of bands and Blackmore had stronger influence than most of us can imagine. I guess Im saying that if you go to top ten lists or online guitar channels you rarely hear the name Deep Purple. Every musician I’ve played with absolutely knows, but overall in the guitar culture I don’t hear their name often enough.

  • @itsrob2321
    @itsrob2321 Před rokem +31

    I was 10 years old when my older brother bought the album, Machine Head. I would listen to the record with head phones on, read the album notes, and enjoy that masterpiece. When I was 15, of course we played Smoke on the Water in our first band. How could you not? Great job Paul on the story!

  • @user-lw1dh6vm6d
    @user-lw1dh6vm6d Před rokem +5

    The king of riffs. The starting point for countless of guitarists. This riff is pure genius. Simplicity is its power.

  • @DonTheGuitarGuy
    @DonTheGuitarGuy Před 11 měsíci +2

    Great stuff. The "Rolling Truck Stone" mobile recording unit is now in Calgary Alberta, fully restored and in operation backstage (a museum I think?) where you can use it.

  • @RandalSmith
    @RandalSmith Před rokem +5

    When they rebuilt the Casino, they put in a country bar in the basement, complete with swinging batwing doors. I played there in the mid-nineties, I believe it was September of 1994 but I could be wrong, I’ve slept since then. It was an experience I’ll never forget. Switzerland is a beautiful country, one which I’d love to see again. The lake, the city and the Alps combine to make one of the most unforgettable places on earth.

  • @jeffwinzeler4814
    @jeffwinzeler4814 Před 11 měsíci +6

    Hey Paul - thank you for laying out the story. I moved from the US to the Montreux area in 2020 and it is so great to see the history of Deep Purple, Queen, and others that have contributed to the town's reputation for music. Love the original clips and interviews you included for the story, and watching you fulfil a guitarist dream - playing Smoke on the Water in the very place it happened. Cheers!

  • @frankgoodmanbuzzholland7517

    Fascinating storytelling. Paul Davids does it again!

  • @maxschwitzky2592
    @maxschwitzky2592 Před rokem +1

    Best ad for an electric guitar course! 🤩

  • @grahamrhodes5985
    @grahamrhodes5985 Před rokem +1

    This is the BEST documentary production I have ever seen. Paul, you deserve an Oscar, a Grammy, or whatever the highest corresponding award would be. THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!

  • @RosewoodMahogany
    @RosewoodMahogany Před rokem +4

    What an awesome guitar! Sounds like its made of very rare old wood!

  • @Timberwolf69
    @Timberwolf69 Před rokem +4

    I knew the basics of this story, but never was sure about what of it was legend and what was true. Now I know. Thanks, Paul.

  • @stevehughes275
    @stevehughes275 Před rokem +2

    Thanks for this im a huge Deep purple, Ritchie Blackmore fan 👍

  • @loisheirich6319
    @loisheirich6319 Před rokem

    Can't believe I got to see you there! Thanks for taking a pic with me, it was really nice of you
    (Shout out to Martina who appears at 0:34, she's on Martin Miller's group which did a show in the Casino of Montreux that day)
    Bye bye from Switzerland

  • @charaiveti-charaiveti
    @charaiveti-charaiveti Před 10 měsíci +2

    i never knew the full story of this iconic song, and paul delivered it in his passionate and elevated manner - thanks, paul! and speaking of elevation, yep, i'm one of the humble students of the electric elevation course, how could i not be?

  • @jonjonzz42
    @jonjonzz42 Před rokem +8

    It's everyone's first song on the guitar! Love this man keep it up Paul!

    • @CristiNeagu
      @CristiNeagu Před rokem

      Not mine, actually. The first thing I played on the guitar was a riff my dad misremembered from a Shadows song, and which I only mangled further as a novice. I couldn't even tell you the name of the song, to be honest.

  • @wildniscamper7276
    @wildniscamper7276 Před rokem +1

    0:40 "fire on the lake"🤣🤣🤣 awesome

  • @stijn4771
    @stijn4771 Před rokem +4

    Pfoh Paul, de top 2000 docu's zijn er niks bij. Wat top! Doe dit vaker, want dit heeft erg veel potentieel samen met je gitaarkennis.
    (English: There's a famous tv programme in the Netherlands which makes music documentaries and I'm basically saying he is already surpassing that level and that this could be something special together with his guitar knowledge)

  • @auslanderbassmusic
    @auslanderbassmusic Před 9 měsíci

    This video is a real serious documentary packed into video shorter then 10 minutes! To be able to see and show as all this is a really nice history lesson. This should be in school programs!

  • @thomasarth2458
    @thomasarth2458 Před rokem

    My uncle is a big Zappa fan who lived in Geneva at the time (lives in Canada now) and was at the concert when the fire happened.

  • @augustomacchioli2172
    @augustomacchioli2172 Před rokem +2

    Long Live Deep Purple..the best band from the 70's..very underrated! But they were fantastic!

  • @warren4110
    @warren4110 Před rokem

    I’ve known 90% of this story for years; however, I’ve never seen the locations. This beautiful, informative video has filled in all the gaps. Thankyou!

  • @Saturax
    @Saturax Před rokem +1

    Sweet lady for opening up the doors of the hotel!

  • @EdgarMiraflores
    @EdgarMiraflores Před rokem +1

    No way!! You're in Montreux?? Wish I had seen you, I live here!!

  • @NdeeSevn
    @NdeeSevn Před rokem +2

    So fun to see you filming my hometown, I can't wait to see the other videos you made during that weekend !

  • @chapodepaille28
    @chapodepaille28 Před rokem

    The first time i saw Deep Purple was in Montreux in 2016, first act was Dweezil Zappa, the son of Franck. It felt cool.

  • @scottkidwellmusic9175
    @scottkidwellmusic9175 Před rokem +1

    Thanks, Paul!
    Appreciate the tour and history lesson. I'd play it under those circumstances, too.
    I don't know that I'd play it ever again, after all the times I've played it in cover/ bar bands over the years...
    Be good to you 🤍

  • @howlinguts
    @howlinguts Před rokem +11

    Paul, you always make creative and interesting work. This is a great documentary, slicing together archive footage with interviews and surprise locations. Damn fine!

  • @sirhilaryflange
    @sirhilaryflange Před rokem +1

    I visited Lake Geneva a few weeks ago, made a visit to the now re-built casino…such an iconic song

  • @stevenpitcher5585
    @stevenpitcher5585 Před 9 měsíci

    I like the use of Bruce Dickinson's delivery of the "Funky Claude" line, from the Rock Aid Armenia compilation.

  • @ROKZLEON
    @ROKZLEON Před rokem

    Always enjoy your storytelling. Well done!!! 👍🏻

  • @scillyautomatic
    @scillyautomatic Před rokem +2

    Great story and great video! Thanks, Paul!

  • @stevefielding8324
    @stevefielding8324 Před rokem

    Thanks Paul brilliant as always!

  • @lanceperkins4555
    @lanceperkins4555 Před rokem

    Fascinating history, thank you for sharing your quality content. So inspiring.

  • @batphink2655
    @batphink2655 Před rokem

    A great video Paul and what a beautiful location and that theater wow just gorgeous!

  • @Goofypikz
    @Goofypikz Před rokem

    Great to see/ hear the full story behind that iconic riff. Thanks!

  • @rdb9936
    @rdb9936 Před rokem

    Paul, this was great. I’ve been a massive Purple fan for years and didn’t know some of the stuff you covered in this video! Would love to see more of this docu style videos!

  • @Hobbietone
    @Hobbietone Před rokem

    Thank you Paul.

  • @SilvaAdventures
    @SilvaAdventures Před 11 měsíci

    Just wonderful! Thanks for producing this!

  • @timtime9167
    @timtime9167 Před rokem

    This was very interesting. Excellent job.

  • @TomStrahle
    @TomStrahle Před rokem

    This was great. I love these stories. And you got to go to Montreux!!!

  • @yoanboschung9466
    @yoanboschung9466 Před rokem

    It's crazy tha you were at the MIGS ! I didn't know you were coming, I was here on sunday. It's so funny to see those very familiar landscapes on one of my favorite CZcamsr ! Thanks for the cool video Btw 😍

  • @b0kkeee
    @b0kkeee Před rokem +1

    I really love this path your channel has taken! It's time for a full documentary by you!

  • @GreatFalls18u
    @GreatFalls18u Před rokem +1

    Great video! Iconic album. Nice job Paul.

  • @aheldfl
    @aheldfl Před rokem

    Same bday as Ritchie so this history lesson was a big thrill for me. Thanks...and this was also a mild reminder to get back to section 2 of your Electric Elevation course.

  • @Hallalo
    @Hallalo Před rokem

    Cool that you’re visiting Montreuxs! My parents have a flat in Switzerland and Montreux is only 1 hour away from the flat. Montreux is the France part of the Switzerland and Bern or the “Berneroberland” is the last stain of the German based Switzerland. We went to Montreux last year in August and visited also the studio where Freddie Mercury recorded with Queen. So many legends played by this Lake… greetings from western Germany!!

  • @metramaks
    @metramaks Před rokem +2

    Thanks for another awesome video, Paul! And please, cover more Deep Purple songs.

  • @NicCom-di4tr
    @NicCom-di4tr Před 11 měsíci

    I really can not understand how this video has below 100.000 views. I think it was very informativ and very nicely done.

  • @smileridedrum
    @smileridedrum Před rokem +2

    Great video, great tribute to the history of hard rock music!!!

  • @chriskona7652
    @chriskona7652 Před rokem

    Super cool mini documentary. I love it!

  • @sledzeppelin
    @sledzeppelin Před 10 měsíci

    “Some stupid with a flare gun” is the most hilarious lyric ever.

  • @fte4319
    @fte4319 Před rokem +7

    Great, thanks a lot! We are living in interesting times, most of the veteran musicians that created so many big songs are still alive, as well as the technicians, producers and so on and the stories can be captured and shared. Even more fun to watch if these stories are done in the way Paul does it. 😀👍

  • @aoestarreicha
    @aoestarreicha Před rokem

    Lovely video, thank you Paul!!

  • @steelfabric
    @steelfabric Před rokem +1

    History coming back to life again. Thanks, mate. Really enjoyed this.

  • @nellatrab
    @nellatrab Před rokem

    Hey Paul...I saw Deep Purple at the July 2008 Montreux Jazz Festival, right where you are...as well as many other great acts that week. A trip I will never forget! Very nice work. Thanks for the memories 🙂

  • @johnbohland
    @johnbohland Před rokem

    What a great video. Thank you Paul.

  •  Před rokem

    Brilliantly done👏👏

  • @tommycopelandmusic
    @tommycopelandmusic Před rokem

    It’s so interesting hearing the backstory behind songs, especially one as legendary as Smoke on the Water! Thank you for posting this, Paul!

  • @robcreel4257
    @robcreel4257 Před rokem +2

    This story never gets old. I do have to say the first song I learned on acoustic was Stairway. The first song on the electric guitar was Smoke on the Water.

  • @coolguitarchannel
    @coolguitarchannel Před rokem

    Awesome video! Dig the Deep Purple love!

  • @nicksilver_music
    @nicksilver_music Před rokem +1

    Shot in the field, what a video production, amazing 👏

  • @bigl6322
    @bigl6322 Před rokem +1

    Yup…. I bought a six string electric guitar in a pawn shop for $50 in 1974 and learned that riff… (me and the other 9 bazillion)…
    Excellent to be able to put imagery in my head to go with all that… I knew a lot of the pieces (did not have the Claude reference- there’s the rock star for sure) but to see the actually view they had when writing that..wow..
    I actually just dug into your electric guitar course last night. I’ve liked your teaching style every since your “anyone can play funk” video. Being a self taught ADD individual, I have some patchy music theory and understanding, but it looks like you have some stuff there I can get without knowing how many augmented 13th’s are breaking over the bar on the back beat….
    Thanks for posting this!!
    Edit… shared this with a friend who had seen an interview with Richie Blackmore in which he shared that the riff was just Beethoven inverted and he owed Beethoven a lot of money…lol
    Today years old when I learned this… doh!!…

  • @EthanWilkinss
    @EthanWilkinss Před rokem

    Great video Paul! 👌🏻

  • @deeperwithgod7932
    @deeperwithgod7932 Před rokem

    So good!

  • @mjdejong
    @mjdejong Před rokem +1

    I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall on that trip. Great video Paul!

  • @steveangell7724
    @steveangell7724 Před 10 měsíci

    Love this.
    I’ve known this song since I was about 12 thanks to my Dad copying the 1980 Deepest Purple vinyl onto a cassette in the early nineties; from then on Deep Purple were ‘my’ first band!
    I’ve been able to tell the story of the song to people but now I need to go see the places for myself. I’ll be driving past Montreux later this month on a work trip so maybe I should go there and find the plaque and maybe meet that kind lady and get into the room!
    Another great video Paul 💪🏻

  • @Jeremiah-dv5mf
    @Jeremiah-dv5mf Před rokem

    Loved this video it looked like a beautiful place and was pretty cool 👍

  • @offcourserock
    @offcourserock Před rokem

    Amazing video! 🤘

  • @douglaspate9314
    @douglaspate9314 Před 5 měsíci

    I know the story though loved to hear it from your perspective. Beautiful. And I still have the vinyl, received as my 14th bday present in 1972!

  • @gregoneil3523
    @gregoneil3523 Před 11 měsíci

    Great riff and great album. Eagle Music have Classic Album DVD of the making of this album. And DP are still rocking out on tour in Europe at this time.

  • @user-mn8mn4vt9u
    @user-mn8mn4vt9u Před rokem

    Welcome to Montreux, Paul. It's a beautyfull place. I will be there in July again at the Montreux Jazz Festival 2023. An I recommand your newst course. Thanks for your good job. Greetings from Switzerland.

  • @pauldritsas6047
    @pauldritsas6047 Před rokem

    Awesome Paul!!

  • @erictruska1745
    @erictruska1745 Před rokem +1

    As a current student of your acoustic course, I have to say you’re an amazing teacher. I look forward to learning more in you’re newest course when I finish this one. Please please do more of these kind of videos (Jimi Hendrix please🙏)
    LASTLY, I have always want to learn more jazz and thought it would be a good idea for you to put out a Christmas Jazz course. Food for thought. Thanks!

  • @michaelkarlsson5966
    @michaelkarlsson5966 Před rokem +1

    Thank you Paul for doing this! I've read and heard this story about how "Smoke on the water" was made but I've never seen anyone doing what you've done: visit the place and show us the buildings. Thank you! :)

  • @seanhallahan14
    @seanhallahan14 Před rokem

    Great vid! Thank you.

  • @sorliej
    @sorliej Před rokem

    Awesome!

  • @lonewolfsystems
    @lonewolfsystems Před rokem

    Thanks!

  • @GitarrenimNetz
    @GitarrenimNetz Před rokem

    Such an beautiful idea and so well made . i know why you are on my fife besst YT Guitar Channels ever - Greetings from Germany ToKo

  • @geckobaldy
    @geckobaldy Před rokem

    Those double stops are the same ones used by George Harrison for the riff in She Loves You by The Beatles.

  • @the_original_Bilb_Ono
    @the_original_Bilb_Ono Před rokem +1

    3:10 The pictures text reads _"He saved saved several young people.."_ saying "saved" twice. Dang it! Lmao i do that too.

  • @alphamegaman8847
    @alphamegaman8847 Před rokem

    Lucky You!🎸🥰
    Mike in San Diego.🌞🎸🚀🖖

  • @strat0871
    @strat0871 Před rokem +1

    I knew the story, but it's much better told at the right place ! Cheers from France.

  • @villehytonen7279
    @villehytonen7279 Před rokem

    Sadly, stories like this are not made anymore. Legendary.

  • @jimmcdougall9973
    @jimmcdougall9973 Před rokem +6

    A great, short history, of one of the greatest guitar riffs ever. Well done Paul!

  • @saxophool
    @saxophool Před rokem

    I made my own pilgrimage to Montreux trying to find the sights named in the song. Every hotel in Montreux claimed to be "the" Grand Hotel. Finally, a cute gal at the tourism shed who was not even born until long after the record was made pointed me to the now residential hotel shown in this video. (A short bus ride outside town.) Montreux is a beautiful, wonderful place. Recommend it to all.😎

  • @dimeone1
    @dimeone1 Před 10 měsíci

    @pauldavids that was great! Thank you for sharing this awesome vid!

  • @ThorPughet
    @ThorPughet Před rokem

    You were so near, and I didn't get the chance to see you... Sad.
    Hope you enjoyed the Swiss Riviera!

  • @calvinpillay9993
    @calvinpillay9993 Před rokem

    I absolutely loved the version he used

  • @grobbler1
    @grobbler1 Před rokem

    Thank you for this very cool mini-documentary. There is a (much-delayed) book due out this year, called 'Fire In The Sky,' which is the story of the recording of Machine Head and Smoke On The Water. It's by Simon Robinson and Stephen Clare from The Deep Purple Appreciation Society.

  • @DDE_ADDICT
    @DDE_ADDICT Před rokem

    awesome history lesson

  • @mjallenuk
    @mjallenuk Před rokem

    Solid choice of musical history to delve into

  • @TheLocalFuzz
    @TheLocalFuzz Před rokem +4

    Hopefully this video will inspire many viewers to listen closer to Deep Purple. They are, for my money, the most underrated band in history.

    • @villehytonen7279
      @villehytonen7279 Před rokem

      And Ritchie one of the most underrated guitar players. He is never even mentioned when talking about the worlds best guitarists.

  • @CitizenofMelee
    @CitizenofMelee Před rokem

    Cool. I knew the story, but hearing it again from the actual location was a nice change.

  • @philipatoz
    @philipatoz Před rokem

    Ah, what a spectacularly beautiful place is Montreux!

  • @martinablazeska
    @martinablazeska Před rokem

    0:34 omg it's me, hi 🙋🏻‍♀️🙈

  • @FriedrichOesch
    @FriedrichOesch Před 11 měsíci

    Never realized that one of the greatest songs ever has its roots in Switzerland!

  • @halcyonOH
    @halcyonOH Před rokem

    great song

  • @srpskihayk
    @srpskihayk Před rokem +1

    Wasn't the riff riffed from a jazz song that Jon Lord played in a band he was in before DP?
    Of the guitar riff itself, there are at least 3 different versions of how Blackmore played the riff, all discussed by Blackmore himself.

  • @Lynx-iu2de
    @Lynx-iu2de Před rokem

    Always a good day when Paul Davids uploads.