In 1978 Ian Gillan had become dissatisfied with the jazz fusion style of his band called Ian Gillan Band and dissolved it, retaining only keyboard player Colin Towns, and formed a new band entitled Gillan. He added Steve Byrd on guitar, Liam Glenocky on drums and John McCoy (ex-zzebra) on bass, and initially pursued a progressive rock direction, releasing their eponymous debut in 1978, although they could only get a record deal in Japan. This recording has subsequently become more widely available as THE JAPANESE ALBUM.
The album was sufficiently successful to attract more attention and in 1979 the band secured a European deal with Acrobat Records. Before a new album was recorded, Byrd was replaced by Bernie Tormé and Glenocky by Mick Underwood, Ian Gillan's former colleague in Episode Six. Torme's "screaming guitar" sound fundamentally altered the dynamics and Gillan took a heavy metal direction. This lineup's first album was released as MR. UNIVERSE and contained many re-worked songs from The Japanese Album. The band caught the rise of the NWOBHM at just the right time and the group gained popularity in Europe. At Christmas Gillan turned down an offer from Ritchie Blackmore to join Rainbow, but Blackmore did make a "legendary" guest appearance for Gillan at their Christmas show. It was the first time Ian Gillan and Blackmore had performed together since 1973.
In 1980 Gillan reached the peak of their success, releasing the successful GLORY ROAD album with the limited edition "free" LP for gillan fans only. However the band remained unknown in North America and were unable to raise any interest there despite tours.
By 1981 the band members were becoming disgruntled that their European and Japanese success was not translating into increased pay, and after the FUTURE SHOCK album tour, Torme walked out just before the band were due to appear on Top of the Pops. He was replaced by White Spirit guitarist Janick Gers and this line up releaed the live/studio combi double album DOUBLE TROUBLE at the end of the year. In 1982 final album MAGIC followed. By this time, tension over money had reached fever-pitch and Ian Gillan needed time to have nodes removed from his vocal chords. He also received and accepted an offer to replace Ronnie James Dio in Black Sabbath. After the Magic tour Ian Gillan dissolved the band to the incredulity of the other members, particularly McCoy, and the acrimony remained into the 21st century.
McCoy subsequently released compilations of studio out-takes to which he had the rights, beginning with Gillan Tapes, Vol. 1, and ensured that revenues were distributed fairly amongst the band.
Smoke On the Water
Gillan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the Lake Geneva shoreline
To make records with a mobile
We didn't have much time
Frank Zappa and the Mothers
Were at the best place around
But some stupid with a flare gun
Burned the place to the ground
They burned down the gambling house
It died with an awful sound
Funky Claude was running in and out
Pulling kids out the ground
When it all was over
We had to find another place
But Swiss time was running out
It seemed that we would lose the race
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky
We ended up at the Grand Hotel
It was empty cold and bare
But with the Rolling truck Stones thing just outside
Making our music there
With a few red lights and a few old beds
We make a place to sweat
No matter what we get out of this
I know we'll never forget
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky
In "Smoke On the Water," Gillan recounts the story of Deep Purple's visit to Montreux, Switzerland to record an album with a mobile recording studio. The song begins with the band arriving on the Lake Geneva shoreline to record with Frank Zappa and the Mothers. However, things quickly take a turn when a fan in the audience fires a flare gun during Frank Zappa's concert, setting the Montreux Casino ablaze. The smoke from the flames billowing up into the sky gives the song its name.
The lyrics go on to describe how "Funky Claude," a local concert promoter, was instrumental in getting people to safety throughout the chaos of the fire. Once the fire was over, the band had to find another place to record, and they ended up at the nearby Grand Hotel. Though it was cold and bare, they made it work by bringing in a few old beds and red lights to create an intimate recording studio atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
We all came out to Montreux
We arrived in Montreux
On the Lake Geneva shoreline
Near the edge of Lake Geneva
To make records with a mobile
To record music with a portable studio
We didn't have much time
We were in a hurry
Frank Zappa and the Mothers
Frank Zappa and his band were present
Were at the best place around
They were at the best venue in the area
But some stupid with a flare gun
But someone reckless fired a flare gun
Burned the place to the ground
And set the venue ablaze
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky
The smoke and flames were visible
They burned down the gambling house
The casino was destroyed by the fire
It died with an awful sound
The casino was destroyed with a terrible noise
Funky Claude was running in and out
Funky Claude was going in and out of the casino
Pulling kids out the ground
Rescuing children from the vicinity
When it all was over
When the fire was extinguished
We had to find another place
We had to find a new venue
But Swiss time was running out
We had limited time in Switzerland
It seemed that we would lose the race
It appeared as if we were going to fail
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky
The remnants of the fire were still visible
We ended up at the Grand Hotel
We found ourselves at the Grand Hotel
It was empty cold and bare
The hotel was vacant, chilly, and desolate
But with the Rolling truck Stones thing just outside
With the Rolling Stones recording nearby
Making our music there
We created music in that place
With a few red lights and a few old beds
We only had a couple of red lights and beds
We make a place to sweat
We turned the area into our performance stage
No matter what we get out of this
Regardless of the outcome of the experience
I know we'll never forget
We will always recall this event
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky
The smoke and fire will forever be etched in our memory
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Roger D Glover, Jon Lord, Ian Paice
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Raechelyn Dawn
Wow… impressive. One of the greatest singers in history and he still has it. ❤
Zigz Zagz
.... He isn't still one of the greatest. I'm a Gillan fan too.
Apart from the nostalgia it's actually sad to see the decline of greats like Gillan, Meat Loaf, Phil Collins.
Even bands that I grew up with who's singers weren't "greats" but we're part of the soundtrack to my life like Motley Crue... Great fat drunk and cavorting. Can't hit the notes. Words are incomprehensible gibberish.
Unless they desperately need the cash they should just stay home and let our memories be enough.
Fanel Neagu
A legend never dies. We love you Ian Gillan
theloathlydaddy
This literally brought tears to my eyes... to see Ian Gillan sing that song again, surrounded by such awesome musicians. It's just such a relief to see, after these decades, that he is still great! A moving and powerful performance!
Doug Tilaran
You mean half a century. Those screams caused the years to pass like a hurricane !
Natalie Finnigan
That's my little brother on the drums! Jon Finnigan. Simon McBride on guitar and Don Airey on keys. Thanks for the compliment about the musicians. Just stumbled on this vid again whilst trying to find one of my bro to show a friend. ☺️ Proud sis!
Natalie Finnigan
Ian's still got it!
D. Richard
Ian always had a power house voice and he still sounds great!
ольга к
Это потрясающе! Гиллан живее всех живых! Браво, дорогой! Обожаю! Forever!!!!
new born
The best singer for so many of the greatest band's of all times.