“Deep Purple” was the biggest hit written by pianist Peter DeRose, published in 1933. “Deep Purple” became so popular in sheet music sales that Mitchell Parish added lyrics in 1938. The second most popular version, which hit number one on the U.S. pop charts (the 100th song to do so) in November 1963 and also won that year’s Grammy Award for Best Rock and Roll Record, was recorded by Nino Tempo & April Stevens (who are brother and sister). It remained in the Top 40 for twelve weeks and was #1 on the Hot 100 the week before John F. Kennedy was assassinated. This version of the song is notable for April Stevens’ speaking the lyrics in a low and sweet voice during the second half of the song while her brother sings. (More from Wikipedia)
Several members of the Wrecking Crew went on to great prominence in the music world. This time the Wikipedia quote is from one of my own contributions: “Also, Nino Tempo with his sister Carol (under her stage name April Stevens) had a U.S. #1 hit song in 1963, ‘Deep Purple’.” The song was originally a big-band hit in the 1930’s and a top seller in sheet music back when this was a more important component of the music industry; the music was written by pianist Peter DeRose in 1933, with lyrics added five years later by Mitchell Parish. The name of the British rock band Deep Purple was suggested by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore because “Deep Purple” was his grandmother’s favorite song; she used to play the song for him frequently on the piano.
(February 2015)
