The song wasn't recorded in a fancy studio. In December 1971, Deep Purple arrived in , intending to record their album Machine Head at the Montreux Casino using the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio . However, during a Frank Zappa concert, a fan fired a flare gun into the ceiling, burning the casino to the ground .
: Unlike many rock riffs that use standard power chords, Blackmore played this using parallel fourths , plucking the strings with his fingers rather than a pick to get a sharper, more distinct "snap". deep_purple_smoke_on_the_water_audio
"Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple is legendary for its simple yet powerful riff, but the story behind its audio production is as chaotic as the fire that inspired it. The song wasn't recorded in a fancy studio