<P> In March 1968 , Lord , Blackmore , Simper and Woodman moved into Deeves Hall , a country house in South Mimms , Hertfordshire . The band would live , write and rehearse at Deeves Hall , which was fully kitted out with the latest Marshall amplification . According to Simper , `` dozens '' of singers were auditioned ( including Rod Stewart and Woodman 's friend Dave Curtiss ) until the group heard Rod Evans of the club band The Maze , and thought his voice fit their style well . Tagging along with Evans was his band 's drummer , Ian Paice . Blackmore had seen Paice on tour with The Maze in Germany in 1966 , and had been impressed by the 18 - year - old 's drumming . The band hastily arranged an audition for Paice , given that Woodman was vocally unhappy with the direction of the band 's music . Both Paice and Evans won their respective jobs , and the line - up was complete . </P>
<P> In March 1968 , Lord , Blackmore , Simper and Woodman moved into Deeves Hall , a country house in South Mimms , Hertfordshire . The band would live , write and rehearse at Deeves Hall , which was fully kitted out with the latest Marshall amplification . According to Simper , `` dozens '' of singers were auditioned ( including Rod Stewart and Woodman 's friend Dave Curtiss ) until the group heard Rod Evans of the club band The Maze , and thought his voice fit their style well . Tagging along with Evans was his band 's drummer , Ian Paice . Blackmore had seen Paice on tour with The Maze in Germany in 1966 , and had been impressed by the 18 - year - old 's drumming . The band hastily arranged an audition for Paice , given that Woodman was vocally unhappy with the direction of the band 's music . Both Paice and Evans won their respective jobs , and the line - up was complete . </P>
who was the original lead singer for deep purple
who was the original lead singer for deep purple
Rod Evans
Rod Evans