Deep Purple - Highway Star Apr 2026

The recording features the classic "Mark II" lineup: Ian Gillan (vocals), Ritchie Blackmore (guitar), Jon Lord (organ), Roger Glover (bass), and Ian Paice (drums).

It was reportedly written on a tour bus in 1971 while the band was traveling to Portsmouth. When a journalist asked guitarist Ritchie Blackmore how they composed music, he began riffing on an acoustic guitar, the band joined in, and the skeleton of the song was finished by the end of the journey. Deep Purple - Highway Star

"Highway Star" remains a staple of classic rock radio and is frequently cited as the "best driving song ever" due to its relentless tempo and car-centric lyrics. It has been covered by numerous artists, including Chickenfoot and Glenn Hughes . The recording features the classic "Mark II" lineup: