Roger Glover

by Jason AnkenyDeep Purple bassist Roger Glover was born November 30, 1945, in Brecon, South Wales, earning his musical education from the area bands that played his family's pub. During the early '60s, he formed the popular local band the Madisons, which in time merged with fellow Brecon favorites the Lightnings; in late 1963, the group rechristened itself Episode Six. A year and a half later, vocalist Andy Ross left the lineup and with new frontman Ian Gillan in place, Episode Six issued its debut single, "Put Yourself in My Place," in early 1966. A series of singles followed, the pop sound of early efforts eventually giving way to psychedelia and even prog rock, but none generated much commercial interest and in early 1969, the group dissolved. Glover and Gillan then reunited in Deep Purple, making their debut on the Deep Purple in Rock LP. Gillan's powerful vocals and an ear-shattering live show soon established Deep Purple as one of the world's most popular acts, with 1972's Machine Head cracking the U.S. Top Ten on the strength of the AOR staple "Smoke on the Water." However, personality conflicts between Glover and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore precipitated the bassist's departure from the group in mid-1973, and in addition to co-writing and producing material with fellow Deep Purple refugee Gillan, he also produced a number of hard rock acts, including Judas Priest, Nazareth, and Elf, and in 1974 scored the animated feature The Butterfly Ball. Glover's first solo LP, Elements, followed in the spring of 1978 and later that year, he reunited with Blackmore in Rainbow. After completing the 1983 solo effort The Mask, he joined the re-formed Deep Purple for their comeback album Perfect Strangers.Upon completing 1987's The House of Blue Light, Glover and Gillan again exited the group, jointly recording the album Accidentally on Purpose. Glover's departure was brief and he returned to Deep Purple in 1990 for Slaves and Masters, with Gillan returning to the fold a few years later for The Battle Rages On, the last album that would contain the classic '70s line up. Glover issued a new solo album, Snapshot, in 2002 and continues to tour and record with the current line up of Deep Purple.