That was how the most dramatic recording there ever was came about! Roger Glover, the bassist, suggested that we write the words based on what we had just experienced. And that was where we found the roots of what was to become 'Smoke on the Water'. And we only have 24 hours left.' He suggested that we listen to the takes made on the first day for the sound check. Martin Birch, our manager, told us: 'I've got some bad news: we're missing seven minutes of material. I.G.: In fact, as time goes by, the visual elements вЂ“ the smoke, the fire, the fear вЂ“ are still there, but what I remember most is the final day of recording at the Grand Hotel. Swissinfo: 1971 was the year of the fire at the Montreux casino and the recording of your album 'Machine Head'. I.G.: Absolutely! Because it's not just about the band, there's the public as well. Do you still manage to get a buzz out of it? Swissinfo: A few years ago you told me that 'Smoke on the Water' was the only song you had sung at all your concerts, with each of your bands, since 1972. Awareness has only recently been raised in Switzerland, stirring the cultural scene. The fight for gender equality in Swiss art institutionsДЄrt museums are still mostly occupied by works made by men. We often play the same songs, but we never know what's going to happen. So, yes, I guess it is a bit wild (laughs)! But whichever way you look at it, the challenge is that there's no routine with Deep Purple. And then, it's like opening a cage and out leaps a tiger. I concentrate on being as calm as possible, because I really need to keep a lid on my adrenaline until I go on stage. Ahead of a concert, I'm always pretty excited but I also spend time every day meditating, having a siesta. I think 'adventurous' would be a better choice. I.G.: The word 'wild' doesn't seem fair to me вЂ“ everything is under control. Swissinfo: The designer of this year's official Montreux poster, Julian Opie, spoke in an article of the 'wild' playing style of Deep Purple. So you leave behind this view of the world that you need as an adolescent to make up for your lack of experience. As you move through life, you develop a broader philosophy. The world is black or white, you have an answer for everything, you see the world in a very rigid way. I.G.: When you are young, you have your favourite colour, your favourite animal, your favourite thing.

Swissinfo: Your last studio album, 'Rapture of the Deep', has an elegant, poetic sleeve, that seems a world away from hard rock clichГ©s. Claude is one of those people who are passionate and take big risks by putting their name, reputation and money on the line. But there are also those who love music, and without being musicians themselves get involved in their own way. A lot of people in this business have a bad reputation: people who only think of furthering their careers. And no festival can compare with Montreux. And today, playing at Montreux, it's a bit like that. When we were young, in England, we used to play a residency once a week in a small club where we knew everyone. Since the beginning, the ties between the career of Deep Purple, Montreux and Claude Nobs really make up quite a story. You feature on the official poster and you played the final night, which is usually reserved for the giants of jazz. Swissinfo: This year was all about Deep Purple returning to Montreux. The band, who composed their influential track 'Smoke on the Water' in Montreux in 1971, lit up the final night of a festival that was rich in memorable performances.

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Lead singer Ian Gillan told swissinfo ahead of the gig what it meant to be back lakeside. The 40th Montreux Jazz Festival ended on Saturday with a concert by Deep Purple.

Ian Gillan (left) with guitarist Steve Morse Keystone

Deep purple smoke on the water topic