5 Facts About Deep Purple’s Machine Head Recording in Montreux

The Montreux Casino fire forced Deep Purple to find a new recording location. A Frank Zappa concert at the casino caught fire on December 4, 1971, destroying the venue.

The band recorded in the empty Grand Hotel, which was closed for the winter. They set up a mobile recording studio in the hotel’s corridors and empty rooms.

The song “Smoke on the Water” directly references the casino fire. The lyrics describe the event: “Funky Claude was running in and out, pulling kids out of the ground.”

The hotel’s acoustics shaped the album’s raw, live sound. The band recorded in hallways and a ballroom to capture natural reverb.

The album was released in 1972 and became Deep Purple’s most successful record. It features their iconic riff and remains a classic rock staple.