Montreux Casino To Celebrate 50 Years Since Tragedy Inspired DEEP PURPLE's "Smoke On The Water" This Saturday
December 1, 2021, 3 years ago
This Saturday, December 4, Montreux, Switzerland's Casino Barrière Montreux celebrates 50 years of the fire that inspired Deep Purple classic, "Smoke On The Water".
A message states: "Come celebrate with us this memorable day whose famous smoke on the water piece by Deep Purple was born! On the agenda: Fireworks, fireworks, live rock night and a lot more!"
Further information and the schedule can be found here.
During the night between December 3 - 4, 1971, the Casino Barrière Montreux caught fire. Deep Purple were in Montreux to record their Machine Head album. The night before recording was set to commence, Frank Zappa And The Mothers Of Invention were playing the casino's theatre. This would be the last show before the casino closed for winter renovations, freeing up the complex for Deep Purple to record.
During the concert, the venue caught fire when somebody in the audience fired a flare gun at the ceiling. The fire destroyed the entire complex, along with all the Mothers' equipment.
The "smoke on the water" that became the title of Deep Purple's song referred to the smoke from the fire spreading over Lake Geneva from the burning casino as the members of Deep Purple watched from their hotel.
Learn more in the video below:
