Deep Purple Is Headed To The Hall Of Fame

This Friday in Brooklyn, New York, Cheap Trick, Chicago, Deep Purple, Steve Miller and N.W.A will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Each day this week we are are profiling one of those inductees. Today, it's Deep Purple. The band became eligible for election in 1993 and was nominated three times before this year. They came in fourth in the fan voting, amassing 25.5-million votes behind Chicago, Yes and The Cars. The opening of "Smoke on the Water" is one of the most famous guitar riffs ever created. But the band's classics also include "Hush," "Highway Star," "Burn," "Lazy," "Space Truckin'" and "Perfect Strangers." Formed in Hertford, England in 1968, Deep Purple has had a tumultuous history with numerous members. They broke up in 1976 and reunited in 1986. Two members -- Jon Lord and Tommy Bolin -- are dead. Drummer Ian Paice, the only member on board for the entire 48-year run, will be in Brooklyn on Friday, along with Ian Gillan, Roger Glover and former members Glenn Hughes and David Coverdale. Founding guitarist Ritchie Blackmore will not attend because the current line-up refuses to perform with him. Original singer Rod Evans is also included in the band being inducted, but his whereabouts are unknown. Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich will do the honors at the ceremony.