Deep Purple has experienced its share of tragic events throughout the band’s history. One of the most notable incidents occurred in 1997 during a concert in Santiago, Chile, where a sound control tower collapsed, injuring around 80 people and causing widespread panic ¹. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported.
The band has also faced personal tragedies, including the childhood illness of drummer Ian Paice, who developed pneumonia and tuberculosis, resulting in the removal of part of his lung ².
Additionally, Deep Purple’s original bassist, Nick Simper, survived a car accident in 1966 that claimed the life of Johnny Kidd, the frontman of Johnny Kidd and the Pirates ².
In another tragic incident, the band’s bodyguard, Patsy Collins, died under mysterious circumstances in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 1975 ². Collins fell six stories down an elevator shaft, and his death remains unclear, with some speculating it was murder.
The band also experienced a traumatic event during a concert in Jakarta, where army dogs were unleashed on fans, leading to violent chaos and potentially fatal consequences ².
Lastly, Deep Purple’s guitarist, Tommy Bolin, tragically died from a drug overdose in 1976 ².
These incidents demonstrate that Deep Purple has faced significant challenges and tragedies throughout their career.
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