The 40th Montreux Jazz Festival ended yesterday (July 15th) with a concert by DEEP PURPLE. Lead singer Ian Gillan told NZZ.ch.com ahead of the gig what it meant to be back lakeside. The band, who composed their influential track 'Smoke On The Water' in Montreux in 1971, lit up the final night of a festival that was rich in memorable performances. An excerpt from a chat with Gillan is as follows:

NZZ.ch.com: This year was all about Deep Purple returning to Montreux. You feature on the official poster and you played the final night, which is usually reserved to the giants of jazz...

Gillan: "Yes, it's unbelievable. Since the beginning, the ties between the career of Deep Purple, Montreux and Claude Nobs [festival president] really make up quite a story. When we were young, in England, we used to play once a week as "residents" in a small club where we knew everyone. And today, playing at Montreux, it's a bit like that. And no festival can compare with Montreux. A lot of people in this business have a bad reputation: people who only think of furthering their careers. But there are also those who love music, and without being musicians themselves, get involved in their own way. Claude is one of those who are passionate and take big risks in putting their name, reputation and money on the line."

NZZ.ch.com: A few years ago you told me that 'Smoke On The Water' was the only song you had sung at all your concerts, with each of your bands, since 1972. Do you still manage to get a buzz out of it?

Gillan: "Absolutely! Because it's not just about the band, there's the public as well. It's almost a spiritual experience. The song no longer belongs to us... we just accompany the crowd."

NZZ.ch.com: 1971 was the year of the fire at the Montreux casino and the recording of your album Machine Head. What memories do you have of that time?

Gillian: "In fact, as time goes by, the visual elements - the smoke, the fire, the fear - are still there, but what I remember most is the final day of recording in the Grand Hotel. Martin Birch, our manager, told us: 'I've got some bad news: we're missing seven minutes of material. And we only have 24 hours left.' He suggested that we listen to the takes made on the first day for the sound check. And that was where we found the roots of what was to become "Smoke on the Water". Roger Glover, the bassist, suggested that we write the words based on what we had just experienced... That was how the most dramatic recording there ever was came about!"