Happy Birthday Roger Glover! (Nov 30, 1945)

(Title image by DALL-E 3)

Hi WA Friends!

If you enjoy my guitar posts, here's one that's a little different because he's not a 6-string slinger.

Please help me celebrate Roger Glover's Birthday, the famous bass player, songwriter, and producer, best known for playing in the rock bands Deep Purple and Rainbow!

Here is a basic breakdown of Roger's musical journey:

From The Madisons to Deep Purple

Roger started playing music in London with his first band, The Madisons. Later, the band merged into another group called Episode Six, which included Ian Gillan, who would also become famous as the singer in Deep Purple. In 1969, both Glover and Gillan joined Deep Purple, becoming part of the band's most well-known lineup.

Albums like "Deep Purple in Rock" (1970), "Fireball" (1971), and "Machine Head" (1972) were huge hits! These albums have some of the most famous riffs in rock history. Roger’s basslines were key to making songs like "Smoke on the Water" sound powerful.

Life After Deep Purple: Production & the Rainbow Days

After leaving Deep Purple in 1973, ROger started producing music. He worked with bands like Judas Priest and David Coverdale. He also made his first solo album, "The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast" (1974), which showed how talented he was beyond just playing bass.

In 1979, Roger joined Rainbow, a band started by Ritchie Blackmore. He played on albums like "Down to Earth" (1979) and "Difficult to Cure" (1981). His bass playing helped give these songs a driving low-end.

Back to Purple!: Reuniting the Legacy

In 1984, Roger rejoined Deep Purple and has been part of the band ever since. Albums like "Perfect Strangers" (1984) and "Rapture of the Deep" (2005) showed that his basslines were still powerful and played an important role in the band.

Roger's Gear

(Created by me & ChatGPT - For all you WA Gearheads Lol ⚙)

Roger has always picked his bass gear carefully, just like guitar players choose their instruments to match their style.

Basses

• Vigier Excess Custom Bass: Known for its versatility.
• Rickenbacker 4001: Used in the early 1970s.
• Fender Precision Bass: Famous for its punchy tone, used in Purple's early songs.
• Mustang Bass: Used during the "Fireball" album for a sharp, snappy sound.

Amplification

• TC Electronic Blacksmith with RS410 cabinets: Known for its clear, punchy sound.
• SWR 750: Used during his time with Rainbow.
• Ampeg SVT: Strong and warm sound, used in Deep Purple's famous shows.
• Marshall Major: Gave the rough edge needed for early Deep Purple.
• Hiwatt DR201: Used in the 1970s for a clean sound.

Effects

• Boss Pedals: Overdrive, chorus, and flanger for added effects.
• TC Electronic Effects: Corona Chorus and Flashback Delay for more depth.
• MXR Phase 90: Added a swirling sound.
• EHX Bass Micro Synth: Created synth-like effects.

Honors & Awards

• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction (2016): As a member of Deep Purple.
• Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement (2019): For his success and influence in music.

Discography

(Created by ChatGPT)

If you only listen to one album, check out Fireball, Machine Head, or Made in Japan! If I were you, I'd listen to the entire discography at least once! 😃

With Deep Purple:

• Deep Purple in Rock (1970)
• Fireball (1971)
• Machine Head (1972)
• Who Do We Think We Are (1973)
• Perfect Strangers (1984)
• The House of Blue Light (1987)
• Purpendicular (1996)
• Abandon (1998)
• Bananas (2003)
• Rapture of the Deep (2005)
• Now What?! (2013)
• Infinite (2017)
• Whoosh! (2020)

Live Albums With Deep Purple:

• "Concerto for Group and Orchestra" (1969)
• "Made in Japan" (1972)
• "Nobody's Perfect" (1988)
• "Live at Montreux 1996" (2006)
• "Live at Montreux 2011" (2011)
• "Live in Verona" (2014):

With Rainbow

• Down to Earth (1979)
• Difficult to Cure (1981)
• Straight Between the Eyes (1982)
• Bent Out of Shape (1983)

Live Albums With Rainbow:

• "On Stage" (1977): Roger produced it
• "Finyl Vinyl" (1986):

Solo Albums

• The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast (1974)
• Elements (1978)
• Mask (1984)
• Snapshot (2002)
• If Life Was Easy (2011)

Collaborations

• With Episode Six: The Complete Episode Six (1991)
• With Ian Gillan: Accidentally on Purpose (1988)
• Guest Work: Played on albums by Judas Priest, David Coverdale, Pretty Maids, and Gov’t Mule.

What We're Doing To Celebrate

To mark this great occasion, we're having some family and friends over for food and drink (not more turkey, lol), and we'll be seeing the "Deep Purple - Live at Montreux 1996" DVD.

Yeah, it features Steve Morse instead of Ritchie Blackmore on guitar, but it's one of Roger's best live performances. If there's time, we'll see a Rainbow DVD with Ritchie, the ultimate guitar wizard! Lol 😎

Tell Me What You Think

Are you a Deep Purple and/or Rainbow fan?

What's your favorite album?

Let me know in the comments!

Happy birthday, Roger Glover 🎂, AND ...

Keep On Rockin' It - and, never give a giant evil starfish an SG guitar!! 🤘

(Pin created by DALL-E 3)

Frank 🎸

~ 65% Human-written content.